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Premiere Collector's Firearms Auction (December 2, 3, & 4, 2006)

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Lot #: 3415

Estimated Price: $30,000 - $40,000

Interesting 1899 Style Swiss Test Luger Serial Number "20"

Serial #:	20	Manufacturer:	Swiss
Model:	luger	Type:	Pistol
Gauge:	7.65 mm Luger	Catalog Page:	239
Barrel Length:	4-3/4 inch round	Finish:	blue/straw color
Grip:	walnut	Stock:	N/A
Description:	This pistol is of the pattern accepted as an 1899 Swiss Test/Acceptance Commercial contract Luger. This represents one of the very first commercial contract Lugers that were ever manufactured by DWM that evolved into the famous Luger pistol known through out the world for over 100 Years. This Luger is very unique in that only 20 Test Lugers were ever produced, with this one being numbered 20. These early Swiss Test Luger were produced directly under the auspices of "George Luger" and each one carries his intertwined "GL" initials on the rear toggle assembly. It has the early features only found during this period of production, where as later on you will begin to see a transition from the Test Luger markings and overall frame and parts configuration to the military contract Luger. This pistol has several subtle, unique and distinct features that will be found on these early test Lugers that were changed or dropped in the transition to later production models, they are; 1) Rear toggle link marked with the "GL" initials, 2) square rear toggle link interface, 3) large radius at the barrel flange, 4) Thin straight rear sight with "V" notch, 5) No DWM stamp on the rear toggle, 6) unrelieved grip frame at the bottom for the magazine button, 7) No angle or radius behind the trigger, 8) the rear frame ears are longer behind the toggle, 9) thin narrow trigger like a Borschardt trigger, 10) solid lower rear frame inside the magazine well, 11) flat button magazine intended only for these test Lugers, 12) flat wide safety lever area, 13) the take down lever and magazine release button are numbered on the RIGHT side 14) it has a straw colored safety bar, (later versions were always blued). The top of the chamber is marked with the "Swiss Cross in a Sun Burst" and the rear toggle has only the serial number 20 marked on top and the rear of the toggle has the "GL" monogram. The underside of the barrel and recoil lug on the bottom of the barrel extension are both serial numbered "20" horizontally to the axis of the bore, neither are proofed, which is likely correct for an early test piece. The frame is also a correct test version that is not serial numbered on the front but is correctly numbered on the rear under the lanyard loop, (during later production obviously this serial numbering changed to the front of the frame for both commercial and military contract Lugers). The frame itself has the early features, such as flat main spring, grip safety, wide safety lever, milled safety panel that is not polished or marked, wide trigger guard with no stock lug. The frame is unproofed. The toggle assembly has the early flat or recessed breech bolt, with the long flat extractor, dished toggles with the toggle lock on the right side. The breech bolt is unproofed and only carries a serial number of "20". The rear sight still retains the early "V" notch rear sight with the inverted "V" front sight. The grips are early checkered walnut pattern with a smooth bordered edge. The magazine is an early Swiss test pattern with nickel plated body an a flat button and small metal disc inset on the sides of the unmarked or wooden base plate. It is reported by the consignor that this pistol was once the property of a former Swiss Tool and Die maker, until his death. It was later sold in his wife's estate. We have no written documentation to prove the aforementioned, so one will have to draw their own conclusion.
Condition:	Excellent overall with 90% of the arsenal style rust blued finish remaining on all the parts with minor edge. It has 95% of a light straw coloring on the small parts. The grips are exceptional with nice sharp diamonds and excellent color on both sides. As noted it has all matching numbers except the magazine which is an early flat button version that is not numbered or proofed.

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