Another Navy: Imperial-Weimar-Third Reich

[DonVoigt]

I bought another of my "favorite" lugers, a Navy issue shortened to 4". This one is quite similar to the one posted here: http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=35683.
The major exception is that it is essentially and original 1916 dated "1914" Navy, still having its original rear sight.

Starting its service in 1916 as an Imperial Navy 6" pistol, #200, it served through the end of WWI, and was given the 1920 property stamp of the Weimar Republic in 1920. I believe it probably stayed in service in its original 6" form through the Weimar years. The UK were in "charge" of disarming the Navy and did not seem to care what caliber or barrel length their pistols were. We note many surviving Artillery models with navy grip strap markings and their original 8" barrel.

Norm pointed out that #200 has a relieved sear bar; done sometime during its service as the first 1000 or so 1916 Navy lugers had the un-relieved sear bar. Thanks much! Always more to learn.

At some point, likely in the mid 1930's IMO, the #200 was shortened to 4" to conform to the "new" standard for the Kreigsmarine side arms. This example was shortened, the original number striker grooved, and the rear toggle pin numbered as was instituted about 1930-32. The flange of the pin is cracked off, being the large diameter flange is it pretty fragile, but since it still has the "00" and enough of and edge to catch, some how it is still there!

It also received a Nordsee number of N over 2054 on the back strap about this time.
"N" numbers in this range are found on new made Mausers with 1936 date(#424m, N/2009; reported in "Weimar Lugers by Still",
indicating that #200 likely received its N2054 marking about 1936. Other 1916/1920 Navies are reported with N2163 and N2316.

The front sight was removed and the original barrel turned down to accept a thin ring with sight attached. The replaced front sight has no date, so is from an earlier 1906 model, but is of the correct height to match up with the original adjustable navy rear sight.

Most parts are matching -including grips- though one is numbered "00" in a different font, indicating probable replacement when shortened, JMHO. The only mismatched part is the side plate, numbered "78" on the bottom in the navy or commercial style, but also has a 88 on the inside, a bit of a puzzle- it may be a replacement done well after the re-work. The trigger is a likely replacement, but is numbered "00", and oddly on the right side, picture shown.

The breech block is an Erfurt replacement part, numbered to match the pistol and likely replaced during re-work; interestingly the striker spring retainer has the E/6 of Simson.

I missed taking a picture of the receiver lug, but it is also marked "00", indicating the matching original receiver/bbl/frame combination.

Perhaps the best amazing part is the "matching" magazine.
A ringed wood bottom mag with C/M and the "N" number crosswise. But on second look, N2051- not 2054; I cannot make it match no matter how hard I look, unless is close my eyes and "wish". But it serves to confirm what the magazine numbering and type should look like!

Paid way too much for this one, or bought too early.

But it did come with the nice Navy holster I posted on the holster forum and a very pretty, but incorrect two acceptance Erfurt magazine.

[DonVoigt]

A few more pictures showing how the front sight is attached after shortening the barrel.

One can see the joint of the inner barrel and outer sight ring from the muzzle, and the line of the joint from the side. The outer ring is quite thin in this example.

The band may be a press fit to the barrel, or may be soldered on.

Added a few more views of the pistol and markings.

[Norme]

Hi Don,
Thanks for the interesting presentation. 1916 Navy #200 had a lot of updates during it's Navy service, one you didn't mention is the relieved sear bar, they were unrelieved on the first 1000 or so 1916 Navies.
Best regards, Norm

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Norme

Hi Don,
Thanks for the interesting presentation. 1916 Navy #200 had a lot of updates during it's Navy service, one you didn't mention is the relieved sear bar, they were unrelieved on the first 1000 or so 1916 Navies.
Best regards, Norm

Thanks Norm,
that was one of those little tidbits of knowledge that escaped me!

I'll add it to the post write up.

[Eugen]

Don, that is a most fascinating luger and story. I never saw a rework like that. Thanks for presenting it. I found the pictures and information very educational.

[cirelaw]

Well Change My Diaper!!!!

[Lyn Islaub]

Really an interesting LP-08 Don. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Lyn

[Lyn Islaub]

Meant LP-04 but the fingers failed me.

[sheepherder]

Quite remarkable how the transplanted front sight barrel band was blended in with the short [relative to a Navy] barrel taper.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Quite remarkable how the transplanted front sight barrel band was blended in with the short [relative to a Navy] barrel taper.

Yes,
it makes a "cool" fat barrel profile!

Here is one with the "standard" rear sight but the front sight has the date!

And in the third picture one with the slim barrel profile. The slim one started life as an L P08 and not a navy.Sorry I don't have a close up of the barrel/front sight of that one.

They converted quite a few, and at the same time were buying new production, like this one in the last two pictures, an "s" block '29 Commercial from a few years earlier.