This is a fine example of a mid-production WWI Imperial German Army Artillery Luger as manufactured by DWM in 1916. These were a standard WWI issue Luger, with the 1916 dated chamber being a very difficult example to obtain as they usually saw heavy use in WWI with most rebuilt after the war. These Lugers have the distinctive 8 inch barrel with the large tangent rear sight graduated from 1-8 (100-800 meters) with the standard front sight. The chamber is dated "1916" with the "DWM" monogram on the front toggle. The Luger has three "Crown/Script letter" proofs followed by the Imperial Eagle firing proof on the right side of the barrel extension. It is numbered in the military fashion with the full serial number (463) stamped on the frame, barrel and barrel extension with the last two digits of the serial number (63) on the on the various small parts. It has the standard "GESICHERT" and "GELADEN" marked upper safety area and extractor and is fitted with its original checkered walnut grips, both correctly numbered "63" on the back sides. It comes with one WWI tin plated magazine with the wooden base that is stamped "9846/f/+/Crown proof". It comes with a WWII Mosin-Nagant 1891/30 cleaning kit in its canvas pouch.

Very fine with 80% plus of the original blue finish remaining with edge and high spot wear overall, with blue loss on the side of the muzzle, the side plate and front edges of the frame rails. The smaller parts retain 40% of their straw colors overall. The grips are good overall with nice distinct checkering showing minor handling marks and the sides with light wear across the tops of the checkering, mixed with a couple very minor handling marks with a very small chip on the left upper, very rear edge or corner of the grip under the safety lever. It has all matching numbers except the magazine as noted above.