Commercial 1914

[G41M]

DWM Commercial s/n 71424.
The DWM Commercial being presented here is a rather difficult variation for the Luger collector to obtain. It’s a close relative to the well-known DWM 1908 Commercial, but it has two important features not found in the ’08 Commercial, a stock lug and a hold open.

Often noted in the literature as the 1914 Commercial variation, Dwight Gruber, suggests the more appropriate name should be P08 Commercial with stock lug (see Sticky: Commercial Database Commentary v5). Additionally, the sticky “Commercial Database V7 by Dwight Gruber, illustrates the complexity of DWM’s pre-war/early war P08 production output. As Dwight noted, “in August of 1913 the German army issued an instruction that the P08 would henceforth be manufactured with a holdopen and a stock lug. All commercial P08’s made after this date, beginning at approximately s/n 71170, share these characteristics”. Dwight goes on to say in the commentary, “DWM modified the frame of the standard P08 by eliminating a spur in the recoil spring well, giving the front of the well a flat profile. This change occurred in 1914, in a military serial number range probably representing the 3rd quarter of the year. DWM Commercial production followed suit sometime between s/n 70362 and s/n 72353. The change dates this range approximately to the beginning of WW1 in August, 1914”.

This example, s/n 71424, has the full serial number on the front of the frame, and on the underside of the barrel. The chamber area is blank. The left side of the receiver has a lazy c/N and a c/N on the underside of the barrel forward of the serial number. No stamps on the right side of the receiver. Stamped forward of the frame lug is “14” and “24” on the frame lug itself. The left side of the breech block has a lazy c/N and “24” below. The left side of DWM middle toggle is stamped with a lazy c/N and “24” stamped on the underside in the recessed area. The rear toggle has “24” on the back external face. The number “24” is found on the take down lever, trigger, thumb safety lever, the sear bar safety lever, and the underside of the side plate. Wood base magazine is unnumbered. Axel pins are not numbered. Inside left stock a capital “P” is stamped, inside right stock stamped is a number “8”, a “D”, a second “D” and what could be a third “D” or a “p” missing the tail. All original finish with no stock chips, but then again, it’s only 109 years old.
I would like to close with this, the Commercial Database, prepared by Dwight Gruber is a remarkable achievement in both data collecting and organization.

[Doubs]

That is indeed an interesting and quite beautiful commercial. That's a keeper for sure. Thanks for sharing.

[Mac Cat]

Great pictures, too !
Nice work, lovely luger

[CptCurl]

An exquisite example, and very well photographed. Thanks!

Curly

[Pistol]

Nice. Thanks for sharing. I have its cousin 70119 that is a 1908 "commercial/army". Does yours have the three c/x proofs on the right side of the receiver?

[G41M]

Originally Posted by Pistol

Nice. Thanks for sharing. I have its cousin 70119 that is a 1908 "commercial/army". Does yours have the three c/x proofs on the right side of the receiver?

Lazy c/N on left side, no stamps on right side.

The following is copied from the Commercial Database Commentary V5, by Dwight Gruber.

"As noted previously, New Model commercial production gave way completely to commercial production of the P-08. By the end of the sn 69000 serial range most of the guns reported show evidence of diversion to military delivery. These are the P08 Commercial Army variation, having 5-digit commercial serial numbers, but without the commercial lazy c/N proofs. These guns are all c/X, c/X, c/X army inspector stamped and army power proofed."