GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EXTRAORDINARY #30 1899/00 SWISS/UK TRIALS PROTOTYPE LUGER RIG. LUGER PROTOTYPE 30 .30 MODERN; IMPORT 4-3/4" .30 Cal bbl with orig matching SN. Hand engraved Swiss Cross in sunburst on chamber with central engraving guide dot. Blank center toggle link. Toggle assembly is all matching with DWM factory converted round hinge and orig 51 mm long bolt with original double firing pin springs. Dished toggles with factory converted long toggle abutments to the receiver forks. Original long, thin, checkered safety lever. White polished and scribed border outline safety area. Matching prototype production pattern trigger. 1899 Prototype style and size serial numbers are all matching, which is extremely rare on these guns. Frame is matching numbered on back. Orig prototype plain border checkered walnut grips are also matching. Prototype magazine has a flat button for the unrelieved frame, a brass spring follower (not the production aluminum type) and a plain wood bottom with no metal disks internally numbered. Made and delivered for Swiss 1899 trials and subsequently converted for British 1900 trials. With orig Swiss trials pattern black leather holster (having no screwdriver pouch) and Borchardt brass cleaning rod/oiler, both as returned from the Swiss 1899 trials and supplied to the British Small Arms Committee for the British Army trials in October 1900. This is one of six UK trials guns that were upgraded from pistols returned to DWM by the Swiss in mid-1900 after their trials, and it is the only one known with the orig holster. This gun has a long UK provenance, being in the family of one of the founders of the British Aircraft Industry since before WWI until recent times. This gun is featured on pgs. 175, 181, 182, 190, 206, 224, 263, 565, 572 and 587 of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess' The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Very fine. Retaining 90% orig blue with scattered light corrosion and scratches. 70% orig straw with some light corrosion. Bore is worn and pitted, from extensive firing during trials. Grips are excellent with moderate wear, beautiful color and wood grain. Magazine has light corrosion on body and wood bottom is excellent. Holster is very good with cracking and minor flaking on back and heavy flaking on flap. Cleaning rod flap has a tear in one of the stitching seams about 1/2" long. Pullstrap is missing. Brass cleaning rod is excellent with very little wear. 43475-2 BWS99 (60,000-90,000)