1916 Imperial German Luger

1916 Luger

This is a completely matching, 1916 Dated, DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken) WWI Imperial Luger with (2) matching magazines. This is chambered for 9mm and has a standard 4" (100mm) barrel fixed sights and walnut grips. This WWI Luger manufactured for standard issue firearm to the German military. Includes a 1916 dated holster and proofed loading tool. A very unique specimen in good condition with a lot of history in a 100 year old gun. (1967)

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.


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 bears a stock lug and a hold-open. The 1914 Model Luger is characterized by the short frame, the rear "V" cut fixed and front dovetailed sight and the frame with the stock lug. This Parabellum has all matching numbers. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and when exposed (safety down) means safe.

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style; displayed on the left side of the receiver, the side plate, the locking bolt, the sear bar safety, the extractor, the forward toggle link, the front of the frame, under the barrel, and on the side of the trigger.

The Luger has all matching numbers including the magazine. The magazine is wood based, numbered to the gun. The barrel and the receive are marked with the full serial number and suffix. Additionally there is 8.82 reflected on the barrel which was the proof marking of land diameter of the barrel at the time of production. The grooves designed to be 9mm. Above Right: The magazine is clean. Unusual, because not often found is the Crown S on the bottom of the magazine. For some reason this magazine got proofed.

Original grips are finely cut diamond shaped checkering made from walnut or in some cases beech wood. These grips are serial numbered to the gun. The original firing pins were marked with the serial number and when manufactured the original grips were marked to the gun.

Above Left: Looking at the military proof of the Parabellum, on the outside of the locking lever, the side plate on the receiver and under the barrel. Above Right: the loading tool come with the holster and is marked with a crown letter (undiscernable).

German Recruiting Poster and the jubilant entry into the Great War without any real understanding of the destruction and damage that was to occur as the modern methods of warfare were to exact an unheard of carnage in mean and countryside.

It is extremely difficult to find to find any Unit Marked Imperial Parabellums let alone find a unit that marked over the chamber. This marking has been identified as the II Armee-korps Stab, waffe 3 and of course the year 1916.

So we know this was a staff officers' side arm from the 2nd Army Staff and he had weapon #3.


On the right side of the receiver are the production proofs of DWM and the DWM military acceptance stamp including the test proof on the barrel. The right side of the receiver displays all the Imperial Army acceptance stamps. While the quality of the guns finish was almost to pre-war standards they were still expertly fitted and the finish was excellent. The Army Test proof was applied to the right receiver, the barrel and left breechblock.

The last two digits of the serial number appear at (A) Sear, (B) Sear Stop, (C) Locking Lever, (D) Trigger with four digits on the receiver. The extractor is marked "Geladen" on the left side and the safety is marked "Gesichert" with the safe position being downward.

Above Left: The magazine are the roll-crimped version of DWM with the number matching and the difference being the "+" indicating the second magazine. Above Right: The right side of the receiver has all the Imperial production proofs plus the Eagle (Alder) on the receiver and the barrel indicating the final acceptance by the Imperial Reich.

The extractor is marked "Geladen" on the left side and the safety is marked "Gesichert" with the safe position being downward. The proof marks are the amazing story of this guns. On the left is the frame and barrel matching serial numbers. Military Lugers were numbered 1-10000 and then 1a-10000a, 1b-1000b, and so on. The thumb safety is thumb marked, as the sear stop and 1st toggle link.

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 very early proofs of the Germany military acceptance. 1910 was the first recognized year of military contract markings. Approximately 17,000, 1910 dated Lugers were reported manufactured. There was no reported 1910 models manufactured by the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt.

DWM followed the policy of numbering 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.

At the outbreak of WWI the German Army seemed reasonably equipped with the Luger Pistol. The DWM factory in Berlin moved to peak production by 1915 and were producing 700 Parabellums per day.

The combined production for DWM during the war years is only estimated at 740,000. This was extraordinary for this period when each Luger was individually machined and hand fitted and proofed. The war destroyed vast quantities and these 90 yr. old guns that have survived today are treasured in collections throughout the world.


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.

The inside of the gun is clean and well cared for. The last two digits of the serial number appear on the small parts. (A), Locking Lever; (B) Trigger; (C) Grips; (D) Short Sear [patented by Georg Luger in 1916]. Officially known as the "Abzugsstange neuer Art" the shorten sear with the cut-away shoulder allowed the Parabellum to be cocked with the safety applied.

The grips are in excellent condition and exhibit the fine diamond checkering. On the inside of the grips are the serial number for the matching Parabellum.

The holster is dated under the flap with the manufacturer cartouche (Below Highlighted). The original color of the holster was brown but it appears that the holster was died to black to match the change in leather colors that was ordered.

Under the flap is the pocket for the loading tool. All parts of the holster are intact and functional. This is a great example of the early holsters with the large pull tab knot.

It is entirely subjective to give any Luger a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. If you need more information about the gun to make your decisions then email josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

This is a excellent example of a 1916 Dated DWM Imperial Luger with all matching parts, including the magazine, a second matching magazine, dated holster and proofed loading tool. This is a difficult date to obtain in this good of condition, let along uniquely unit marked. This Parabellum is offered for $3,995.00 over-the-counter with the reservation that the gun may be sold before being posted as such on the internet. (This is the cash price, shipping & insurance extra based on USPS delivery)

We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and do not warrant the availability of any firearm that do not have a cash deposit. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. Call for availability, Any questions or request for additional pictures email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com.

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.

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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.

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