P08 DWM 1916 Cal.9×19 mm

Pistol 08 (Lüger P08) made by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) in 1916, at the height of the First World War, calibre 9×19 mm Parabellum. Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken was the main manufacturer of the Luger pistol before and during the First World War. The P.08 was the standard sidearm of the Imperial German Army.
By 1916 Germany was already waging total war, production had been stepped up and many P08s were sent to the Western and Eastern Fronts. WWI DWM examples are highly sought after because they are directly linked to the Imperial army, they are more finely made than many late WWII productions, and many were lost or refinished after the war.
On the pistol shown here you can see: the correct “GESICHERT” marking on the safety, a typical Imperial German WWI configuration, period-correct wooden grips, a naturally patinated finish rather than aggressive rebluing, small “strawed” parts (straw-coloured / case-hardened) still partly present, and visible “88” numbers on small parts — a good sign of matching parts.
The serial number “7436” and the year 1916 are entirely consistent with DWM wartime production.
Estimated market value (2025):
Refinished / mismatched serials 1,200 – 1,800 €
Partly original, major parts matching 2,000 – 2,500 €
All matching, good original finish 2,500 – 5,500 €
Matching + original WWI accessories 6,000 €+
This example: all main parts bear the last two digits “36”; the magazine is not correct, being a post-WWII reproduction; the bore is very good; there are no modern import markings.