1917 Red 9 Artillery DWM Luger 9mm

Archived-NOT FOR SALE
German 1917 Luger Red Nine Artillery

This is a 1914 Model, chamber dated 1917 Red Nine DWM 8" model with the 800 meter adjustable rear sight mounted on the barrel. The Red Nine Lange Pistole is one of the more difficult of the Artillery models in this pristine condition to obtain. There is minimal holster wear and the grips show the fine diamond pattern. The springs and small parts still show the fire blue and the strawed parts are excellent. (1280)

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.


This is a 9mm weapon with all the matching parts marked in the military manner (exposed). The barrel is 200mm and it has an adjustable front site. The frame has the stock lug and the thumb safety. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "Geladen". The barrel is numbered and proofed to the weapon. The inside of the gun is clean and well cared for.


The Imperial proofs are well struck and tell the story of the gun. The barrel inside is shiny with distinctive lands and grooves. The magazine is clean and grips match the gun.

The Imperial proofs are well struck and tell the story of the gun. The barrel inside is shiny with distinctive lands and grooves. The magazine is clean and grips match the gun. The original intent was to issue the 8" weapon to gun boat crews but it then became standard issue to machine gun crews and artillery units.

Acknowledging a requirement to protect the crew served weapons the German army was in search of a shorter, more lightweight weapon than the G98. The Luger Carbine was well known (the Kaiser hunted with one), so the idea for a long barreled pistol with a stock was an easy jump to make. In 1914 DWM produced a very few "artillery" models when the decision was made for the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt to produce the 8" Parabellum and DWM to produce the 4" version. DWM with the greater capacity to expand in 1915 produced both the short and long barrel versions.


There are those occasions when we receive Lugers that are in simply beautiful condition and it makes one very thankful of the former custodians of these fine pieces for the care and maintenance that they provided over the years to keep these Parabellums in the minty shape that we can enjoy today. When this Luger finds a good home hopefully generations to come will enjoy its craftsmanship even after surviving a war.


The serial numbers are marked in the "military manner" meaning they are exposed on the parts. This Luger has all matching parts. The lserial number with a "d" suffix puts this Parabellum in the mid 1917 production.


Sometimes in examination people think the leaf site is bent. However, when raising the site to the full 800 meter position reveals a 7° left movement. This design compensates for the rifling on the 200 mm barrel which gives the bullet a twist in flight and if properly adjusted will permit a corrected point of impact. Another example of Luger engineering.

There has never been any official explanation or documentation of the manufacture or order for a Red Nine Artillery Luger as its counter-part the Red Nine Broomhandle C96. The C96 was manufactured for the 7.63mm round and when ordered for the German military in 9mm to match the ammunition they had on hand it appears logical to mark the gun some way to distinguish the 9mm from the 7.63mm versions. The military Parabellum was never manufactured or purchased in a 7.65mm version (as commercial Lugers were available) so there appears to be no logical explanation.

However the Red Nine Artillery shows up in sufficient numbers to indicate that somehow the units began branding and painting the grips to reflect the Red Nines. Perhaps it was to distinguish the ammunition delivery, or perhaps some units had the 7.63mm Broomhandle and the warning was given to not attempt to load these round in the Lange Pistole. In any case it has become a rare variation among Luger collectors.


This 94 year old gun has been cared for by other custodians to preserve it for us today in this pristine condition. The inside of the gun is clean and reflects the effort for cleaning the past 94 years. Lugers that are stored for any period of time should have the wooden grips at least waxed on the inside to protect contact with the metal.


The Imperial proofs and the Imperial acceptance stamp appears on the receiver and the barrel. Note the serial number on the leaf sight.

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. Few Lugers 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.

Imperial German Machine Gun Crew some armed with the LP08 (Lange Pistole) or Artillery model, some with 100mm Lugers and some with the older Reich Revolver.

This is an excellent example of the dated 1917 Artillery in minty condition with all the basic Imperial proofs the Red Nine carved in the stock. If you are collecting the dated artilleries then you know how hard it is to find the Red Nine Artillery in this well preserved condition.