German Luger Collectibles

1923 DWM w/Silencer*
PENDING

This is a post-WWI Parabellum built from the existing stock of parts when production stopped suddenly in November 1918 with the Armistice and abdication of the Kaiser. This is a 1923 designated by the manufacturer, DWM (Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken AG), on the first toggle link and built for export.

The usual characteristic of this gun is that it is threaded on the end of the barrel for a silencer as during the 1920's these were bought and sold freely in the US. On the end of the barrel is a barrel nut, protective sleeve that make the silencer an accessory.

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.

This is not a Class III weapon and will not require a Form 4 for transfer. The enclosed 'can' is furnished as a "prop" to illustrate an NFA identified silencer. This ersatz silencer has a .22 Cal discharge hole and is unsafe to fire a 7.65mm bullet the gun is designed for. Do Not Attempt to fire this weapon with the silencer attached. This Parabellum can be shipped with a C&R license.


The barrel length is 4" (98mm) and is chambered for 7.65mm. The serial number appears on the front of the frame, under the barrel, on the on the bottom of the plate sear, the rear toggle and trigger. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and when exposed (safety down) means safe.

This Luger is all matching including the correct commercial magazine. These series of Lugers were produced from 1919 until 1928 for the commercial sales to anyone. The serial numbers are in the commercial locations, hidden from common view under the side plate and locking lever.

The underside of the gun reveals the serial numbers on the barrel, the bottom of the locking lever and side plate. Also visible is the Crown N proof mark required on all firearms produced after 1893 in accordance with the German proof laws. The bore is good with distinctive lands and groove.

The Luger has all matching numbers including the magazine. The frame matches the barrel assembly and GERMANY, is stamped under the barrel (Country of Origin required on all export guns). The magazine is aluminum based, and not numbered to the gun. Only military guns had serial numbered magazines.. The barrel and the receive are marked with the full serial number which is a continuation of the commercial numbering of DWM. There are no gauge markings on commercial guns.


The right side of the receiver is clean of military proof marks, emphasizing its origins as a commercial manufacture. The trigger and locking lever along with the magazine release show above the straw (nitrate) bluing that was done on these Lugers to bring out their distinctive design. The crown "N" proof was introduced in 1906 as a derivative of the 1893 Proof Law. For commercial gun intended for public sale it was upright and replaced a plethora of various proof house individual proofs.

Serial number placement is in the commercial ("hidden") style; displayed on the left side of the receiver is the Crown N, the bottom of the side plate and locking bolt, on the side of the trigger, and back of the 2nd toggle; none on the sear bar safety, or extractor. The last two digits of the serial number do not appear on the forward toggle link, but on the front of the frame and under the barrel are the full five digits of the serial number.

Front and rear of this Parabellum show very minimal wear. The firearm is mostly pristine and does not show signs of being excessively fired. One has to wonder where the original silencer went but with the imposition of the 1934 National Firearms Act which sought to limit possession of machine guns and silencers.

Above Left: Removing the side-plate we can see where the trigger is marked with the last two digits of the serial number "52". Above Right: The inside of the mock suppressor has the metric thread to match the end of the barrel.

The finish shows minimal wear, this model has a hold open latch and stock lug and the first toggle link is marked with the DWM Logo. There is the "V" rear sight on the rear toggle link and the last two digits of the serial number appear. This is a basic shooter and collector gun.

DWM followed the policy of numbering military guns 1-10000, 1a-10,000a then a production run of 17,000 would only reach into the "b's". However the 1908 1st Issue models began the numbering and ran through 4828b at which point the 1910 date was added to the chamber.


While exported to the US between the wars these guns were sold through most of the sporting houses while the large sporting houses fought for export rights. A F Stoeger, Pacific Firearms, Abercrombie & Finch all sought distribution rights for the "Luger" that opposed our forces in WWI and everyone remember for its efficiency and beauty.

The end of the muzzle is threaded with a 14x1.25mm thread to accept the silencer and then is provided with a barrel protector that screws on finger tight. Impossible to holster or carry with the silencer attached this cap accommodates the trip to the range and still protects the gun.

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, is ejected as the toggle nears the end of its rearward free travel, returning, and a new round is stripped from the magazine and chambered as the toggle is driven back to the straight position by a spring.

Above: Truly before its time the Parabellum had a loaded [GELADEN] indicator that was designed to tell the shooter both visually and tactilely there is a round in the chamber. This innovation was copied by Walther with a protruding pin over the hammer on the P38 and many other gun producers recognized the significance of this improvement.

Above Left: Original grips are finely cut diamond shaped checkering made from walnut or in some cases beech wood. These grips are not serial numbered to the gun for Parabellums meant for the commercial market. Above Right: With the P08 in full recoil one can see the original fire bluing of the rear main axel pin and the proof marks (Crown N) on the 1st toggle link.

This Luger has been cared for over 94 years now. It is looking for a good home. We have heard of silenced Lugers but had never seen one in over 40 years of collecting and selling these fine firearms. This is probably a one-time chance to own this unique style of Parabellum; a one-of-one. The late 1914 model short frame, short sear and basic Parabellum would serve any collectors slot for a solid Luger.


Everyone wants to know where guns come from and sometimes we find bring back papers in holster or names on documents that can pin-point the owner. Here we have a US issued Police inspection of the gun and identifying an immigrant from Poland, born in 1896 , who would be 44 yrs old at the time of the inspection who was employed in Detroit as a vehicle inspector. WOW!

In 1942 Mr. Pniewski appeared before the Court in Wayne County and petitioned to have his name changed to "Penn".

With a new name he carried both the license and the name change in the plastic case to prove his identity

Name changing was a positive trend amongst our forefathers immigration ancestry. They came to the US to be US Citizens and adopt the American way of life. Anglicizing ones name was a natural step and contracting it was very common.


The inside of the gun is clean and well cared for. The exterior shows honest wear on the muzzle, barrel and high points on the sides. The barrel is shiny and shows distinct lands and grooves. This Luger shows characteristic holster wear on the side plate and front exposed edges of the rails and end of the barrel.

Illustrated in this picture is the Crown N, commercial proof mark; the raised extractor with the German word for 'Loaded' GELADEN to tell the shooter there is a round in the chamber; the short sear which permits cocking the gun when it is on safe; and the Crown N on the 1st toggle link.

Above Left: The end of the barrel is threaded to accept the silencer and this threading is protected by the cap which is a factory finish of checkering. Above Right: The commercial last two digits of the serial number hidden on the underside of the locking lever and side plate.

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.

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