German Luger Collectibles

1913 DWM Imperial SOLD

This is a completely matching, 1913 Dated, DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken) WWI Imperial Luger with two matching magazines, an Imperial holster, belt and buckle. This is chambered for 9mm and has a standard 4" barrel fixed sights and walnut grips. This WWI Luger manufactured for standard issue firearm to the German military. A very unique specimen in good condition with a lot of history in a 106 year old gun. (1869)

NOTE: Photographs taken today with the high mega-pixel camera show more than we sometimes can see with the human eye. Magnified close-ups show us tool marks and natural surface conditions that one normally doesn't see in the ordinary handling of the weapon. Photographs are copyrighted, all rights reserved, any extraction, reproduction or display of gun pictures without the express consent of the Phoenix Investment Arms is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation. Please visit Legal (tabbed) for Conditions of Sale.


The barrel length is 4" (100mm) and is chambered for 9mm. The serial number appears on the front of the frame, on the left side of the receiver, on the side plate sear and trigger.

This Luger is all matching including the magazine. This Luger has no stock lug and a hold-open installed.

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. This example has all matching numbers. The barrel is numbered and proofed and matches the frame. The first toggle link is marked with the DWM monogram, and there is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link.

The most distinctive feature of these pistols is undoubtedly the toggle-lock mechanism, which holds the breech closed by locking in a manner not unlike the human knee, which can sustain a heavy weight when straight, but once bent is quite easy to continue to bend. The toggle joint in its straight position resists the rearward force of the detonating cartridge, then "buckles" after enough time has passed. When a round is fired the entire breech, barrel and toggle move straight rearward (on rails) until the toggle begins to ride up on a pair of cams that "breaks" the toggle (makes it bend at the joint). Once the toggle joint is no longer straight, it bends freely, allowing the bolt to come rearward, and the striker to be cocked. The spent cartridge is extracted by a combination extractor/loaded chamber indicator on the top of the toggle; it is ejected as the toggle nears the end of its rearward free travel compressing the spring in the grip and returning the breach to battery. A new round is stripped from the magazine and chambered as the toggle is driven back to the straight position by the spring.

The serial number appears in four digits on the frame, under the barrel, on the left side of the receiver and the magazine. Under the barrel there is the milimeter gauge markings 8.83 which the Germans were adopting after the old measure of the bore measurement based on the number of lead balls to fit in the barrel per pound.


The proof marks are the amazing story of this guns. Telling us the gun served in WWI and shows the honest wear from the Battlefield. The last proof on the right is the DWM final inspection which has the Imperial Eagle. The arrow points to the installation of the "hold open" machined in after the frame was built.

With the Parabellum in full recoil and the side plate removed one can see the entire inside of this well-cared for Luger. The thumb safety is down putting the gun in 'Safe' raising the sear stop but still permitting cocking to load the gun on safe. The trigger is serial numbered under the side plate and the inside is minty.

This all matchiug 106 year old 9mm Parabellum is a veteran of WWI and carries its full heritage proudly. Caputured and brought back to the US with the period holster (unit marked to the 3rd Corps) and belt with the early steel fitting. The Imperial buckle is polished down to the metal (usually painted feld-grau) when used in the field. The two magazines match the serial number of the gun an there is a loading tool.

The dated chamber 1913 represents the year that DWM fully adapted the hold-open and the other minor repairs and modifications it was making on the gun from field testing. Above Right: Looking up under the barrel we see the serial number the suffix, the serial number on the receiver, side plate and loading tool. Nice and deep for the life of the gun.

Original grips are finely cut diamond shaped checkering made from mostly walnut but in some cases beechwood. Th original grips on military models were numbered and these grips are serial numbered to the gun. Firing pins were also numbered with the last two digits of the serial number.

It is entirely subjective to give any firearm a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few collectible weapons are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. Any questions or request for additional purchases email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com This firearm is eligible for transfer to C&R permit holder, even in California. We are registered with CA DOJ for firearms shipment.


A 1913 Chamber date for the Imperial Army is difficult to find and this one comes with the rig.

Below: The stitching is still in the white on the back, which tells us that the leather was died after assembly and this was an older holster that was caught up in the change to uniform regulations that changed the brown to black.

The holster is stil flexible leather with all the stitching intact. The belt loops and front latch is fully functional along with the pull tab. On the rear is the Crown III meaning it was deployed in the 3rd Corps.

The belt buck is the steel and is stamped in the metal with 'GOTT MIT UNS" [God with Us]. Above Right: The belt is a WWI period belt with the feld-grau painted clasp. The extractor is marked GELADEN (Loaded) which although novel for the time 106 years ago, told the shooter both visually and tactilely the gun was loaded.

A 1913 Chamber date for the Imperial Army is difficult to find and this one comes with the rig.

This is a excellent example of the 1913 Model Parabellum that comes with the battle field rig of holster, loading tool, extra matching magazine and an Imperial belt and buckle. The loading tool has a hole in the center over which the tool is placed on the follower of the magazine and when inverted the flanges is pressed down by the thumb to load the magazine. The screwdriver side is for the grip screws and firing pin retainer. No other tools are required to field strip the Parabellum. .

This 1913 DWM 9mm Imperial Parabellum is offered over the counter for an all matching gun, 2nd matching magazine, corps marked holster, and loading tool. This Parabellum shows honest holster wear and a strong shiny barrel. This gun may be sold before being posted as such on the internet. Acceptable for C&R licenses.

We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and no not warrant the availability of any firearm that does not have a physical deposit. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. Call for availability.

LAYAWAYS: Sometimes our "significant other" doesn't understand the beauty, craftsmanship and investment potential of one of these investor grade weapons. In these circumstances where discretion becomes the better part of valor we will accept layaways of up to one year with at least 20% down and some activity occurring monthly to insure that after one year the sale is completed. Cancellations of layaways forfeit 33% if done within two months, otherwise 100%. You can transfer a layaway to a consignment sale at any time. See "Legal" for exact terms.

See Credits, Bibliography, Notices and Disclaimers.

3 Day Return Policy

We honor a three day return policy. We will answer any questions, send you any pictures, as detailed as you want, to insure that what we are showing you is what you want to see, before you buy it. See Legal.

FIRING ANY WEAPON NEGATES ANY CHANCE OF RETURN!

WARNING: We do not represent these guns as safe to fire. They are not test fired before sale; they are sold as collectibles only. Prior to firing you should have it inspected by a qualified individual and abide by all safety requirements.

Genuine Lugers Sales - Luger History - Luger Accessories - Luger Holsters - Parabellum