This is a very nice example of a pre-WWI 1908 model German luger. This series of luger was produced from 1908 to late 1913 in both the military and commercial variants and can easily be distinguished from the later 1914 and P.08 lugers by the lack of the hold-open device and no stock lug. This luger features a rust blued finish with the straw colored small parts and checkered walnut grips. The top of the chamber area is dated 1912, and the standard DWM markings usually found on the front toggle assembly, have been removed. This luger is numbered in the standard military fashion however there are no military or commercial proofmarks, anywhere on the pistol, so it's this describer's opinion that this luger was an early post-WWI reworked into a 1908 commercial model, intended for sale inside Germany or Europe. It was also later modified to add the hold open device which was performed on 1908 model lugers, after WWI during the Weimar era. It has the original walnut checkered grips and is fitted with a later (post-WWII) Erma marked commercial magazine with the unmarked black plastic base.

Very fine with 80% plus of the slightly faded original blue finish with wear on the edges and high spots such as the front frame rails, the muzzle area, the side plate and side plate hump with 25% of the straw colors overall with slightly more color in the protected area. The grips are in fine condition with exception of a chip under the safety cover, nice checkering on both sides with even honest wear across the tops of the checkering. This luger has matching numbers except the magazine as noted above and the grips which are unnumbered.