Guns International #: 102850876
Seller's Inventory #: 24100082

Category - Luger Pistols - Commemorative & Collectible Pistols

Category
Luger Pistols
Commemorative & Collectible Pistols

DWM Model 1923 Commercial Luger Pistol 7.65 Para/.30 Luger “Safe” and “Loaded”

Description:
What we have here is a rare version of a Commercial Luger pistol, the Model 1923, and one of the very few marked in English, no less. After World War I, DWM initially produced the Model 1920 Commercial, somewhat infamous among collectors for having been made using parts from military Luger pistols made during or before the war. These are noted for their non-matching serial numbers and obvious re-bluing. They are one of the most commonly available Luger pistols alongside the World War 2 Mauser production S/42 type. The Model 1923, however, is a step up (or more) from the Model 1920. They were generally made from newer parts, though sometimes otherwise unused parts left over from late WWI production were used. For example, the present slide’s chamber area (where the year date usually goes on a military production pistol) appears to have been worked on to remove something before the slide was rust blued (rust bluing has a sort of bluish or blue-grey hue while a hot-salt bath blue has a more dark-bluish or black hue to it; the latter process is usually used to re-blue a firearm that has lost the original rust blue finish). This work was probably done to remove a year date from a slide that would otherwise have been used in the assembly of a military pistol, but due to the end of the war and the signing of the Versailles Treaty, it was never used to complete a full pistol, and thus never received any military acceptance stamps. Instead, as a commercial model, the completed pistol sports the usual “Crown over N” stamps. The bluing has all the appearance of an original finish though it has been worn in places from use. The trigger retains some of the original straw color, while the ejector retains this quite a bit more. Another characteristic that separates the Model 1923 from the previous Model 1920 and military model Lugers is the serial number range is conventional in that it runs from 89,001 to around 91,000. By comparison, other Luger pistols, especially military-issue pistols, have serial number ranges that go something like this: 1 through 9,999 with no suffix, followed by 1 through 9,999 with suffix “a,” followed by 1 through 9,999 with suffix “b” and so on and so forth. This example of the Model 1923 is serial number 89,907. Of the pistols in the series, only around 1,000 examples are said to have been marked in English for sale in English-speaking countries. Under the safety lever (known in some places as a safety catch) is stamped the word “Safe” rather than the usual “Gesichert” which is the German word for “safe” or “secured.” Similarly, the extractor is stamped “loaded” on the left side. As is usually the case with a Model 1923, all the visibly stamped parts are matching, including the barrel, frame, side plate, take down lever, and rear toggle link. Interestingly, the safety bar is not stamped with a number. The wooden bottom of the magazine is not stamped as was usually the case for commercial pistols. Overall length is 8.5 inches (216 mm). Height is 5.5 inches (140 mm). Barrel length is closer to 3.75 inches rather than the oft quoted 3-7/8”. Sight radius is roughly 7.6 inches (193 mm). The pistol is chambered for the 7.65 mm Parabellum, or, as the cartridge is more commonly known as in the U.S., the .30 Luger. This cartridge preceded the 9mm Parabellum (aka 9mm Luger) and was fairly popular in Europe for some time even after World War 2. It can be a bit difficult to find today, but not impossible. Unlike the 9mm with its 1:9.84-inch (1 in 250 mm) twist, the .30 Luger uses a slightly slower 1 in 10.83-inch (1 in 275 mm) twist. The bore exhibits a minute amount of frosting, but the rifling is otherwise fine. The use of proper jacketed bullets should prevent this from affecting the accuracy of the pistol. The pistol has NO import markings of any kind. The grips, given the finish versus the amount of wear, are almost certainly original to the era. The finish is worn mostly on the frame with respect to the front strap, and to a lesser extent on the sides. Various locations exhibit light micro-pitting. The barrel exhibits a fair amount of finish wear near and on the crown of the muzzle. Mechanically, the pistol is very tight, as any good Luger pistol should be. The trigger feels normal, with a short pull and a crisp break. The Luger pistol was a very popular trophy for U.S. troops to bring home to the states during both World Wars. Its ray-gun like appearance made it stand out amongst others, and its 55-degree grip angle (145 degree in Europe) make the Luger pistol a natural pointer – a useful feature for target shooting.

Price: $1,775.00

Handgun Caliber: 7.65x22mm Parabellum (7.65x22mm Luger, .30 Luger)
Manufacturer: DWM
Model: Model 1923 Commercial
Serial Number: 89,907
Barrel Length: 3.75 inches (95.25 mm)
Bore Info: Rifled, 4 grooves, 1:10.83 inches (1 in 275 mm) RH twist
Ejectors: Auto-ejection
Condition: Used - Good
Barrels: Carbon steel
Barrel Type: Classic Luger tapering barrel
Action: Semi-automatic, Toggle-locked, short recoil.
Triggers: Classic Luger trigger with smooth face
Stock: Wood, checkered.
LOP: 2.75 inches (70 mm)
Finish: Rust Blued
Weight: 1 lb. 15.3 oz.
Sights: Fixed sights, sight radius 7.6 inches (193 mm)
Case: Soft case