DWM Pistole Parabellum .30 Luger (7.65×21mm Parabellum) Pistol Carbine & Shoulder Stock Our Assessment: This example is quite interesting as it has non-standard numbering and proof marking locations. The second of the three volume series "Pistole Parabellum" by Joachim Gortz and Geoffrey L. Sturgess notes what they referred to as "Some Bizarre Post-WWI Parabellums" with "non-suffixed serial numbers of one to four digits of various, sometimes bizarre, configurations". The book notes irregular application of proof marks, use of both military and commercial pre-war components, and the photographed examples include a carbine much like this one. In the tumultuous times of post-WWI Germany, it's understandable that even a firm as large as DWM would have some inconsistency, so this may well just be the product of those circumstances. We do believe that the buttstock has been refinished and it is not serial-marked, but it is a handsome example of a Luger Carbine. Please see our photos and good luck!
Make: DWM
Model: Pistole Parabellum, Luger Pistol/Carbine
Serial Number: 9472
Year of Manufacture: The frame appears to have been made between 1914 and 1917. Assembly to its current configuration was most likely performed 1919-1921.
Caliber: .30 Luger (7.65×21mm Parabellum)
Action Type: Semi-Auto Pistol
Markings: The front toggle is marked "DWM". The serial number or the last two digits are marked on the left of the barrel extension, the sear, extractor, bolt each toggle link, firing pin, sideplate, trigger, takedown lever, safety arm, bolt stop and the inside of each grip panel. Assembly number "11" is marked on the forend wedge, the bottom of the barrel and the barrel extension's lug. There are crown/N proof marks on the top of the bolt, each toggle link, the right of the barrel and the right of the barrel extension. There are no import marks.
Barrel Length: 12"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a four-position "U"-notch which slides in a banded base fixed to the rear of the barrel. The sight arm is released with a button on the left of the base, allowing it to be slid to each position. There is no rear sight on the rear toggle link.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood. A tang has been mounted to the front of the frame for the wedge-secured checkered walnut forend which has a schnabel tip. There is an included checkered walnut buttstock with smooth steel buttplate which can be mounted to the frame's stock lug (we have not tested the fit as it is not legal to install the stock in California). The grips show light handling wear with some spots of compressed checkers and a few light nicks and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The forend has similar light wear. The buttstock has checkering which appears to have been chased or cut outside the DWM factory with scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The wood is generally well fit to the metal, but notably shy at the toe and slightly shy at the heel. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition, the forend is Very Good and the buttstock is in about Very Good condition as refinished and/or not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue & Straw
Finish Originality: This pistol was most likely re-worked in the post-WWI era. See Our Assessment.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. There is some light operational wear and some scattered minor oxidation. There is some scattered minor erosion, mostly on the right of the frame. There are some scattered light nicks and scuffs. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, the toggle proof marks are poorly struck. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: Something about the fit of the sideplate, trigger and sear makes it inconsistent to drop the striker when the trigger is pressed. The barrel extension is tight to the frame. We did not fire this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a non-serialized stock assembly and a single non-matching wood floorplate magazine.
CA LEGAL: C&R: YES, CA PPT: YES
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