1303 GERMAN WWI DWM LP.08 "RED 9"

SOLD
2,318.00USD
This item SOLD at 2024 Oct 31 @ 14:02UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 600.00 USD
Estimated at 1,200.00 - 1,800.00 USD
SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 9x19mm. S# 795e. Bbl. 7 7/8". LP.08 semi-automatic pistol, mfg. under contract for the Imperial German military in 1916. The bbl. extension is marked "1916" over the top of the chamber, with DWM arsenal proofs marked on the right. Toggle is marked with the intertwined "DWM" monogram. Major metal components exhibit a rust blue finish, with some smaller parts exhibiting either a straw or nitre blue finish. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered red "9" grips. Mandated during the period to help eliminate possibly loading the wrong ammunition, the red "9" markings were only imposed on the Mauser C96, with LP.08s, such as this example, likely exhibiting the red "9" as the result of either confusion or caution on behalf of the armorers. Blade front sight, with tangent rear sight, graduated 1-8. All numbers are matching and include the frame, takedown lever, sideplate, trigger, safety lever & bar, hold-open latch, bbl., front sight blade, rear sight assembly, bbl. extension, breechblock, extractor, firing pin, toggles, grip panels, as well as the wood bottom mag. MAGS: one 8-rd. CONDITION: metal components retain the majority of their original arsenal blue finish, exhibiting some light wear, with spots/areas of light to mild surface oxidation and pitting present overall. Bbl. and frame (beneath grip panels) exhibit areas of moderate pitting. Strawed components exhibit varying degrees of wear that show through to gray patina, with scattered spots of darker age-related discoloration present overall. Very bright bore, exhibiting some light pitting while retaining well-defined rifling throughout. Grips show some smoothing, as well as some scattered marks from handling and storage, but otherwise remain sturdy and serviceable. (24-5592/MLW). CURIO. $1,200-1,800.