September 15, 16, & 17, 2026 Firearms & Militaria
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Lot #1215:
(C) IMPORTANT DOCUMENTED KHRUSHCHEV PRESENTED DWM RUSSIAN CONTRACT 1906, 9MM LUGER SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL WITH HOLSTER.
This exact pistol is documented by serial number in a 1966 article in “Shooting Times”, in an article written by William (Bill) Edwards, entitled “The Premier’s Parabellum”. When Khrushchev came to the United States in 1961, he famously gave away his watch to an American factory worker named Kenneth Jackey who gave Khrushchev a cigar. Seeing an opportunity, a Luger collector and watch repairman named Tom Kayser sent Khrushchev a replacement watch and a letter, indicating that is a was a gift for the Russian Premiere, and talking about his arms collecting hobby and lamenting his lack of a Russian Luger. Enough time passed that Kayser assumed the watch stolen by a low level clerk and the letter discarded, but on March 22nd, 1962, he received a letter that Khrushchev had sent him a Russian Luger that would be forwarded to him by the embassy. On May 10th, he received a letter reading “…regarding DWM Luger pistol serial No. 898 provided by Soviet Premier Nikita S. Khrushchev for your personal gun collection…” with instructions on how to receive and pay duty on the gun. Kayser quickly paid and worked with the state department to import the gun, and wrote a letter to Khrushchev thanking him profusely and hoping that he enjoyed the watch as much as Kayser enjoyed the gun. After Kayser, the gun was also a part of James Belford's collection, who helped Bill Edwards write the article. The gun is pictured in the article, which also discusses the rarity of Russian arms, especially at the time that Edwards was writing in the 1960s and the lack of desire from the Russians to sell the guns. This exceptional DWM Model 1906 Russian Contract Luger, manufactured circa 1906 by Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) as part of a limited contract for Imperial Russia, stands among the most coveted Parabellum pistols ever produced. It was crafted with meticulous pre-World War I DWM manufacturing quality: a “New Model” 1906 Luger featuring the improved coil mainspring, grip safety, 4" barrel, no stock lug, and the high polish rust-blued finish with straw-hued small parts typical of DWM’s early 20th-century production. In addition to its technical refinements, this pistol is a tangible artifact of Russia’s early experiments with semi-automatic sidearms. Imperial Russia, evaluating modern pistols to potentially replace its standard Nagant revolvers, placed an order for approximately 1,000 of these Lugers for trials and limited field issue. Ultimately, no further adoption ensued – likely due to strategic and logistical considerations – leaving this small run as a historical footnote and one of the rarest Luger variations in existence. The example offered here exhibits all the hallmark features of the model in excellent detail: the chamber is stamped with the Imperial Russian crossed Mosin–Nagant rifles crest, the forward toggle link bears the DWM scroll monogram, and the appropriate Cyrillic legends are present on the safety indicating “Fire,” and on the extractor indicating “Loaded.” Serialization adheres to correct commercial-style numbering, with the full serial number observed on the frame and barrel (in the exclusive 1–1000 range), and matching partial digits on all small components. As expected on this contract, no German military proof marks or acceptance stamps are present. The pistol is complete with a period wooden-base magazine of the proper type (script-marked “Cal. 9m/m” on the base, faintly visible) and an original leather holster, further adding to its authenticity and desirability. Overall, the condition is highly attractive, with a well-preserved original finish, vivid straw-colored appointments, sharp markings, and excellent mechanics – all consistent with a carefully maintained, high-grade collector piece. With only about 1,000 manufactured and an exceedingly small number surviving, this Russian Contract Luger offers both tremendous rarity and rich historical significance, making it a marquee acquisition for advanced Luger collectors and a remarkable centerpiece from the twilight of Imperial Russia’s arms history.
Model
1906 Russian Contract