1915 Imperial Luger Rig


The 1914 Model Luger is characterized by the 9mm 4" (100mm) barrel, the rear "V" cut fixed and front dovetailed sight and the frame with the stock lug and the shortened sear. These series of Lugers were produced from 1914 until 1918 for the German Military. This Parabellum has all matching numbers. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and when exposed (safety down) means safe.



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.

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.



The Luger has all matching numbers including the magazine. The barrel and the receive are marked with the full serial number and suffix. Additionally there is 8.83 gauge marking reflected on the barrel which was the proof marking of land diameter of the barrel. The grooves designed to be 9mm. The magazine is wood based, numbered to the gun. The magazine is clean. This Luger shows characteristic holster wear on the side plate and front exposed edges of the rails and end of the barrel. Gauge markings of 8.83 is visible at the bottom of the barrel.


In WWI the manufacturers cartouche and date appeared under the flap or on the inside of the flap of the holster. In this case it is on the front an reflects the date to match the gun. Well stitched and with the leather still pliable this is a great holster that matches the gun.


The holster has a 1915 Manufacturer's cartouche to match the 1915 date for the gun. The loading tool has an imperial proof with the Crown Letter proof, truly a collectors gun.


The holster was worn on the left or right; the belt is a strong leather and the buckle is the brass buckle for the dress uniform. Many period pictures put it on either side and some cases it is shoved in the belt wearing just the lanyard.

The inside of the grips are serial numbered to the gun with the last two digits of the serial number. The two magazines have the same type wood bottoms and are serial numbered cleaning with the original and extra (+) marked individually.



The right side of the receiver displays all the Imperial Army acceptance stamps. 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. Since firing pins and grips wear and break it is unusual to find marked firing pins and original grips plus the two matching magazines.


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.

Above Left: The 1915 Parabellum in full recoil: note how with the short sear (on the side with the serial number) doesn't prevent the sear stop (attached to the thumb safety) from bringing the gun to "Gesichert" (Safe) exposure. The impact of this is that you could cock the gun in the safe position because the length of the old sear had prevented this. One of the last modifications of Georg Luger was the shortening of the sear and this began to be implement in late 1915 and all of the 1916 and from there on. Above Right is the side view of the side plate removed and the serial number on the locking lever, trigger and full number on the breach very cleanly struck to make this a minty collectors gun.

The Prussian buckle is distinct with the finely stamped crown of the Kaiser the crossed palms and the Gott Mit Uns (God With Us) These Parade-type brass buckles were covered in the field and later a feld-grau colored buckle was produced for front line troops to provide some camouflage.


Above left the Imperial inspectors at the DWM factory stamped the receiver at each stage of their inspection. The Eagle [Alder] appeared on the receiver and on the top of the barrel in this picture meaning the gun was accepted by the military. On the right we reflect the GELADEN on the extractor which visually and tactically indicates to the shooter in light or dark that the gun is loaded.

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. This weapon is designated as a Curios and Relic (C&R) and can be sent directly to those licensed persons or though your local dealer.

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 100 yr old guns. Those that have survived today are treasured in collections throughout the world.


The offering includes the all matching 1915 gun, a 1915 dated military holster, a loading tool, an Imperial dress belt and brass buckle. The leather is in good condition, still soft and subtle with the pulll strap, buckle and flaps all functional

This is chambered for 9mm and has a standard 4" barrel (100mm) fixed sights and walnut grips. This WWI Luger manufactured for standard issue firearm to the German military. 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.

Below: 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. While the quality of the guns finish was not 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 Army Test proof was applied to the right receiver, the barrel and left breechblock. The right side of the receiver displays all the Imperial Army acceptance stamps. 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. Above the extractor is marked Geladen and rises when the gun is LOADED so the user can tell by sight or feel when a round is in the chamber.

Here we can observe the manufacturers cartouche and the date of manufacture 1916. This matches the date of the gun and makes the rig as good as you can get with such a minty original gun.