1913 DWM P.08 help?

[Wolfsburg]

Hello gentlemen!

I'm very much an acolyte when it comes to Lugers but I ran across one at a local gunstore and was wondering if you all could offer some insights or advice regarding it. The pistol appears to be a 1913 DWM and all numbers I can see match, including the magazine. The magazine appears to be all metal (with a metal, not wooden "pull"). Condition of the pistol I would say is perhaps Fair-Good. Finish appears original, perhaps 90% or so, with most of the bluing loss being around the muzzle. Strawing is visible on the trigger, but a good bit is worn off. The front grip strap has "SDI" stamped into it. I know its hard to offer a valuation without pics, but what exactly am I looking at and what would be a rough estimate as to what its worth?

[Johnny Peppers]

It is possible that your P.08 was later used as a police pistol. The original magazine would have been a wood bottom, and the matching number aluminum bottom sounds like a police replacement. If a police pistol, it would have a sear safety.
Does it have a stock lug or not?
Pictures would help.

[Jerry Burney]

Johnny has nailed it...Photo's are essential to determine what it might be worth. What does the gun shop say it's worth?

Jerry Burney

[Wolfsburg]

They said they'd take $1200 for it. I don't recall if it has the stock lug or not. Dumb question probably, but how does one determine if it has a sear safety? What does this look like?

[Jerry Burney]

Wolf, Not dumb at all. Look at the square sideplate above the trigger area. On Police pistols the top of this sideplate is notched out and a bar that is attached by a small rivet to the pistols siderail comes over and enters the top of the sideplate.
German Police apparently had an annoying habit of shooting themselves, the squadroom and sombody else during disasembly for cleaning by leaving a round in the chamber. This safety was placed there by Police directive and is almost exclusively a Police fixture.

Take a look at the top of the sideplate..if it is there you will see it.

$1200 ...This seems to be a tad high for me but the condition could warrent it. Is there anything with it like a nice brown Police holster?

Get some pictures...

Jerry Burney

[Wolfsburg]

Thanks for the explanation! I'll have to check for that if the gun is still there. I wasn't sure if that was a good price or not. Being possibly a police issue, I thought the pistol could be pretty rare but didn't know for sure. There is no holster that I'm aware of, and I'm assuming just the one mag. They didn't mention anything else.

[Richie B]

Wolfsburg

"SDI" sounds like a police property marking.

Probably Schutzpolizei Dusseldorf Command 1.

There are often smaller numbers as well - these are the weapon number.

Regards

Richie

[Wolfsburg]

Ah, okay thanks! I know condition is paramount, but what do non-minty but not-abused police Lugers typically go for? What might be a fair price?