September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2023
M/23 Luger manufactured by DWM under contract for Finland. Finland, unsatisfied with their domestically designed Ahlberg pistol, requested 9x19mm Parabellum Lugers from DWM in 1922, though this request was denied due to the restrictions DWM was under as a result of the Treaty of Versailles. Ultimately, the Finnish Ministry of Defense began placing orders for 1920 Commercial Lugers, which they designated as the M/23. This example, re-barrelled to 9x19mm Parabellum, bears the intertwined "DWM" monogram on the toggle, with a vertical "(Crown)/ N" commercial nitro proof followed by a boxed Finnish "SA" cartouche, indicating Finnish Army ownership. The top of the barrel bears the Tikka "T" in a triangle within a circle trademark towards the breech. The right grip panel retains a blank Finnish brass disc. Metal components have been reblued, exhibiting a dark matte-blued finish. The trigger is in-the-white. The frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered walnut grips. The wood magazine bottom appears to be a replacement. No matching numbers are present. This example is accompanied by an unmarked black leather holster containing a cleaning rod and loading tool. The holster is mounted on an unmarked flatboard stock with a sling-mounted 2-cell magazine pouch containing 2 later production black plastic bottom magazines. CONDITION: Metal components retain the majority of their dark matte blue finish, exhibiting superficial handling marks and areas of edge wear that show through to silvering overall. Brilliant mirror bore, exhibiting strong rifling throughout. Grips exhibit smoothing, and some scattered nicks, while the right grip exhibits a mild crack on the interior from the installation of the brass disc plate, which does not appear to affect serviceability. The holster is excellent, with leather remaining malleable and stitching remaining tight overall. The magazine pouch exhibits some age-related cracking and areas of crazing overall. This a nice example of a scarce and desirable Finnish M/23 Luger.
Accessories
Holster, Stock, Loading tool, Cleaning rod, 2 Spare magazines
Caliber/Bore
9x19mm Parabellum