April 27-30, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2021
Seldom encountered, little is known about DWM's Lugers manufactured under contract for Finland. This example is marked "VANKEINHOITOLAITOS" above a five-pointed star surrounded by crescents and surrounded again by a radiant burst, indicating issue to the Finnish Federal Bureau of Prisons. Otherwise, this example very much resembles that of a commercial fashion Luger, with crown over "N" stamps present on the left side of the receiver, bottom of the barrel, and left side of the breechblock, as well as being serialized in the commercial fashion. Matching numbers include the frame, locking bolt, trigger, sideplate, barrel, and rear toggle link. Receiver, safety lever, breechblock, firing pin, forward toggle link, and magazine are unserialized. Checkered walnut grips do not match, but match themselves and have been cut to accept a police safety, which was never installed on this example. Front blade sight has been replaced by a crude period Finnish replacement. Major metal components are rust blued, with smaller components being strawed. CONDITION: Metal components retain fair amounts of their original rust blue finish, exhibiting wear and thinning all around that shows through to a grey patina. Strawed components retain traces of their original finish, with adequate amounts of finish remaining in protected areas and the balance turning a grey patina as well as showing some age-related discoloration. Bore is bright, exhibiting some very light oxidation and good rifling throughout. Checkered walnut grips exhibit smoothing all around, with some scattered nicks and impressions to the diamonds. A scarce and seldom seen example of a DWM Model 1923 Luger utilized by Finland's Federal Bureau of Prisons. -MLW-
Caliber/Bore
7.65x21mm Para