1914 DWM Artillery Luger Pistol Carbine Complete Ensemble: Stock, Snail Drum Magazine

Make: Mauser Luger
Model: 1914 DWM Artillery
Year of Manufacture: 1917
Caliber: 9mm
Markings: The frame is marked “597 n”. The number “97” is found on the take down lever, sideplate, extractor, toggle, both pieces of the safety, and below the rear sight on the toggle. The top of the chamber is marked “ 917”. The “1” (one) is not present. The stock is marked “2649”, The snail drum is marked “694520”. The inside top flap of the holster is marked “Emil / Heinicke / A.G. Berlin / 1915”. The inside flap of the snail drum pouch is marked “Gustav Reinhardt / Berlin / 1915”. This pistol is likely an assembled gun and many of the markings have been restruck.
Barrel Length: 8”
Sights / Optics: The gun is mounted with a dovetail front sight and a slide adjustable rear sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut. The checkering has become smooth. The bottom of the right panel is nearly all smooth. There is a small chip missing behind the left grip panel at the safety. The grips rate in about fair overall condition. The external stock is wood with scratches and mars but no cracks or losses. The front leather cup and straps are original, the rear leather has been repaired/replaced. The two stock screws have been replaced. The overall condition of the shoulder stock is Very Good, while the overall condition of the panels is about Good.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: The barrel looks original with some touch up cold blue. There is much touch up on the frame.
Bore Condition: The bore is somewhat gray and the rifling is sharp and deep. There is mild erosion the length of the barrel.
Overall Condition: This gun retains about 70% of its metal finish. The high edges show wear, as does the muzzle, front rails, safety, and sideplate. There is thinning to the finish throughout, as well as discoloration of the cold blue. The toggle shows wear and finish loss on both sides, especially at the rear hinge grab points. There is scattered pinprick erosion and mentionable metal work on the frame at the trigger guard and at the right side rear of the frame. Both areas appear to have been cold blued. The screw heads are in good serviceable condition, showing some use and minor disfiguration. The screws appear to have been cold blued. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Fair – Good condition, and has seen better days.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this gun. NOTE: We cannot provide the snail drum magazine to a California resident, or a resident of any state with high capacity magazine restrictions.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Items included are: an 8 round Erfurt magazine, a snail drum with leather pouch, a wooden correct stock, a correct holster with takedown tool and cleaning rod. The holster is in good condition with some discoloration on its back side, with just some minor cracks and scuffing. There is some minor cracking on the inside of the lid flap. The hinge leather is in good condition. The stitching is good and the keepers and tabs are in good condition. The leather is soft and pliable showing care over the years. The snail drum magazine is nicely stitched and the leather is a nice oxblood brown – a lot of work went into crafting this pouch, however we know that it is not original to the snail drum.
Our Assessment: This is quite an ensemble… The stock is a correct DWM , the front leather is correct, the rear leather has been repaired / replaced. The original stock screws have been replaced. The holster is an original 1916, the cleaning rod and DWM tools are correct but likely cold blued. The barrel is correct. The 8 round magazine is an Erfurt with aluminum base. The drum is a correct 2nd model and all original; likely made after the war for the P18. The leather snail drum pouch is a fabrication. Please see pages 136 and 137 of Luger Variations By H.E. Jones for more information. This combination of gun, holster with tools, stock and snail drum makes this a very rare and valuable assemblage. We acknowledge that the gun itself has seen better days, but is such a rare piece and especially with a complete ensemble should excite even the most avid Luger collectors.