Another One

[OIF2]

When it rains, it pours. Word got out that I liked "old pistols" and I was offered this nice DWM 1918 9mm. Very nice shape, all-matched (including the magazine) and an excellent bore. Couldn't say no. Initial grouping shows a typical European desire to hit about 4-6" high at 25 yards. A 6 o'clock hold works fine with 115 grain GI match ball.

No holster, but the old guy that sold it to me said "it's around somewhere" and would give it to me when he found it. Not an issue, since I won't be carrying it. Now I have 3 of these damn things; I only wanted one nice "shooter" (a 7.65mm Swiss rebuild, shown below). A man's gotta do what he's gotta do though, so it's off to the range (again) with the new purchase, after an initial quick test for zero and function. I had hopes of thinning the herd, but there's worse things, I suppose.
Bob

My Swiss Luger in 7.65mm. Can't have too many of these things, I guess

Daughter shooting my 3rd Luger, a post-war Mauser Parabellum. Great shooter (both her & the pistole).

 

[Rock185]

Three nice Lugers. The first pistol I ever bought, many years ago, was a 1918 DWM Luger, $70.00 at a local pawn shop. Yours is a lot nicer. Mine had a bore that looked like the surface of the Moon. I don't think I ever got through a magazine without a malfunction. Enjoy those trips to the range with your daughter. My daughter used to shoot with me on her visits home from college. She's a new resident physician working long hours now, so she's unable to get home and shoot with Ol' Dad anymore Sure enjoyed those trips to the range with her.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Nice guns. I've always wanted one of these, but never actively pursued my hunt for one. I've actually purchased about 5 or 6 hand guns in the past two years, on top of what I already own. Nothing expensive, meaning very reliable clones and one of those used Beretta 92S's, but wife has kinda "asked" me to think twice before my next purchase of anything that goes bang previous to a round piece of metal going out the other end! I'm afraid to ask, but what is an average price for one of these in 9mm? Thank you for stirring up my interest again! Jeff Taylor, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201

 

[jeffrefrig]

Rock185, I know exactly what you mean about father/daughter at the range. When Sarah was 15 she shot my dad's K22 Masterpiece; 11 out of 12 on target, first time with a firearm, at 25 yds. She had that smile that said "I want one!" I got her the Heritage for Christmas last year. It is very accurate for the money. I'll get her a good gun, meaning maybe a .38 spl, when she goes to live on her own. These times don't last forever!

 

[jsfricks]

1916 DWM P08 Luger
I purchased this Luger 12/24/16 from my wife's uncle Dale. He would stop by a pawn shop on the way home from school several times during the week in Elberton, Ga. one day in 1955 he found this 1916 Luger and a long barreled Artilley Luger. He asked his dad to go with him to purchase it and he left with the Luger, 1917 dated holster, tool, and two magazines and $25 less in his account. Unfortunately he left the long barrel Luger there. He shot it a few times after that, and in 1970 he and his wife took a firearms course in Cobb County, Ga and used this Luger. The instructor told him it was the most accurate gun in the class. After that he stored it away in the holster, with both magazines loaded, never to be shot again. All matching except mags, it was issued to, as the front grip frame shows, 2.M.C. R.158.
2nd Machine Gun Company, Regiment No. 158. This was a Prussian regiment, originally, "7.Lothringisches Infanterie Regiment, established on 31 March 1897 in Paderborn, Germany. At the outbreak of the Great War, the 158th was assigned to the 13th Infantry Division, VII Corps, 2nd Army. In March, 1915 the 158th was transferred to the 50th Division and remained with them until the end of the war.

The combat record of the 158th is very interesting. It was part of the Imperial German element that invaded Belgium fighting in both Champagne and Artois prior to its transfer to the 50th Infantry Division. After joining the 50th, the 158th fought in Verdun-Vaux, Argonne, Aisne, St. Quentin, Aisne, Rheims, Meuse and was in the Meuse area at the Armistice.

Allied Intelligence rated the 50th Infantry Division as "first class". Immediately after the battle of the Aisne, it commander, Maj. Fritsch was awarded the Pour le Mérite.

 

[Absalom]

.....
Allied Intelligence rated the 50th Infantry Division as "first class". Immediately after the battle of the Aisne, it commander, Maj. Fritsch was awarded the Pour le Mérite.
....

Great background. Just one little nitpick question: A major as a division commander? That would have to be an officer of general rank.

 

[jsfricks]

Great background. Just one little nitpick question: A major as a division commander? That would have to be an officer of general rank.

Your probably right. One of the historians on the Luger forum was able to give me the history. He possibly made a mistake on the commander. From my research his other information appears to be correct on the 158 Regiment.