November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2021
Model 1900 Luger manufactured by DWM under contract for the Swiss military and assembled by Waffenfabrik Bern. This example is one of only 100 "Extra-Serie" Lugers that were converted for service issue during the shortage of pistols at the start of World War I. These 100 pistols were renumbered to follow the 0 - 5000 serial number range of the DWM contracted P.00 pistols, but were given an "A" suffix to prevent duplication and confusion in military records. This example was converted from P.00 pistol number E.683 and is featured on page 648 of "The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols" by Joachim Gortz and Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. Receiver bears the Swiss Cross within a sunburst over the chamber area, with the toggle bearing the DWM monogram. The left side of the frame is stamped "P.38" signifying Swiss military release in 1938, with the left side of the receiver bears a "P" and "53" stamp surrounding the standard Swiss proofs, indicating private sale in 1953. All numbers are matching, with the exception of the firing pin and trigger guard, which are unnumbered. This example is accompanied by its original James D. Julia Sturgess collection hang tag. PROVENANCE: Former Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection. CONDITION: Metal components retain the vast majority of their original rust blue finish, showing some areas of light wear as well as a few superficial handling marks. Mirror bore, exhibiting well-defined rifling throughout. Checkered walnut grips show some smoothing as well as a few minor nicks to the diamonds, but are otherwise fine. An extremely scarce DWM Model 1900 A-Suffix Luger for the discerning Swiss Luger collector. MLW