Pictured are the participants in a Swiss cavalry machine-gun armorers’ course posing with their instructor in 1916. The bearded officer in the front row (circled) is Oberst Louis von Stürler, director of the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik during the period in which the Ordonnanzpistole 06 W+F was being readied for production. ¹ Louis von Stürler was also the director of the Waffenfabrik during the Parabellum era 1894 – 1920.

Prior to the 1916 picture showing Oberst (Col.) Louis von Stürler, then “Major” Louis von Stürler was a member of the May 1898 Swiss Commission involved with the testing of the 1898 Borchardt Luger and the later November 1899/1900 20 Swiss Test Trials of the 1899 Borchardt Lugers. Additionally, Louis von Stürler was identified in The Luger Book © 1986 by John Walter on pages 253-254 in a paragraph titled: (I)The trials of 1897 and (ii) The trials of 1898 as Major von Stürler, director of the Eidgenössiche Waffenfabrik. In (iii) The trials of 1899 Stürler is not mentioned although stating; A committee, substantially that of the previous year, convened at Thun. It wasn’t until (iv) The trials of 1911 that Stürler was identified as Oberst (Col.) von Stürler.

Per Die Faustfeuerwaffen von 1850 bis zur Gegenwart © 1986 by †Eugen Heer the 20 (test trials) pistols were duly delivered by DWM in October/November 1899 and tested during the winter of 1899/1900 by various branches of the Swiss Army (Artillery, Machine Gun Corps, Cavalry etc.) and the Shooting Schools, with sufficiently positive results for Oberst (Col.) v. Orelli, President of the Commission, to inform the Kriegs Material Verwaltung (War Material Administration) or KMV in March 1900 that provision for procurement should be made in the budget for the current year. Pictured is that list of commission members, numbered 1 through 10 for clarity.

Sometime in the ensuing months of 1901, two M1900 Swiss Ordinance Lugers were “presented” to OBERST LOUIS VON STÜRLER in a unique, non-German designed Presentation Case with an oval, silver cartouche or escutcheon on the cover bearing his name and rank. Interestingly, the presentation case originally containing two M1900 production contract Swiss military pistols may not have been presented to Louis von Stürler until 1901 or later based on the fact that he is only first identified as Oberst (Colonel) von Stürler as participant in the Trials of 1911 noted above and in a 1916 photograph. Additionally, it wasn’t until the first contract mid 1901 delivery approximately 600 pistols ² that M1900 Swiss production pistols would be available. The approximate date that Major Louis von Stürler was elevated to the rank of Oberst (Colonel), probably closer to circa 1900 – 1901, would also help in dating the Swiss presentation case.

Seller Description of Oberst Louis von Stürler Presentation Case

Early 20th Century .30 Cal. Luger Presentation Case, with silver oval marked at top of lid ''Oberst/Louis Von Stürler''. Case measures 8-inches x 10¼-inches x 2-inches and is covered in a faux buffalo hide, with nickel-plated end caps, early 20th Century locking hardware and a lightly colored Cordovan handle. Interior is French fitted in red velour for two 4¾-inch barrel Luger Semi-Automatic Pistols and probably originally manufactured for Swiss type guns, such as Model 1900s, 1906s/24s, having 4¾-inch barrels. The von Stürler name shows in several references pertaining to Swiss infantry regiments from the Bern area. Condition is fine. Exterior of case shows only light discoloration to forward top edge of lid. Shoe leather handle with splits, losses and separation of thread. Interior with soiling to white lid and red fabric liners. Case shows very well when pistols are present.

For viewing, the Presentation Case is fitted with two M1900 Ordonnanz Swiss Lugers and is with no additional compartments for accessories, which actually is not unusual considering the only acknowledged accessory for the Swiss M1900 Ordonnanz Pistole being a Swiss Putzzeug Model 1882/1900. The case design is mostly square vs the DWM/German identified, decidedly rectangular “Presentation” cases. The Swiss Presentation Case is very compact, accommodating two pistols with both left sides facing, being fitted 180 degrees to each other. There are other non-German presentation cases similar to the subject Swiss Presentation Case with the same, mostly square dimensions, but with only one pistol being

1. a circa 1911 English C.W. Fosbury and,
2. a 1920s Manton and Co, Calcutta & Delhi, India “presentation” case.
3. and pictured are the three “presentation” cases together.

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Assuming the two originally fitted Orberst (Col) Louis von Stürler cased M1900 Swiss pistols were indeed “Presentation” pistols, it is curious why two? It had been suggested by one Luger authority, a Midwest Luger retailer, who was provided pictures of the case stated that, in his opinion the case originally contained E receiver marked Swiss pistols, not the front frame M1900 E-Prefix serial numbered Swiss pistoles, but with two of the ten Swiss “Presentation” pistols (sns 601 – 610) described by Sturgess in TBLAP with the upper-case letter character E stamped on left side receiver, forward of the Swiss inspection cross.

Alternatives

It is certain the red lined case interior shows long time impressions of two M1900 Ordonnanz pistols with dished toggle knobs, whereas the white color fabric of the cover lid liner shows possibly the long-term mixed impressions of a M1900 dished toggle knob and a M1906 Swiss Ordonnanz pistol with square face toggle knob. While the different style toggle knob impressions, M1900 in the case interior vs the M1906 cover lid liner square face toggle knob impression are difficult to reconcile as the basically equal weight of both the M1900 and M1906 pistol models with the weight of a M1906 pistol resting in the lower left section of the case interior for a long period of time, would have left a more pronounced impression of a square faced toggle knob.

Yet what is clearly visible is the lower left box red lining combination impression of a M1900 dished toggle knob, basically identical to the upper right M1900 dished toggle knob impression and a M1906 square faced toggle knob hatching pattern of both old and new model pistols. However, since both old and new model pistols have, at different times, been fitted to the presentation case lower position, and with the width of an old model dished toggle knob being slightly wider than the new model square faced toggle knobs, the more pronounced impression of the wider dished toggle knob is vs the new model, shallower width, square faced toggle knob is understandable. Additionally, in support of the circa 1920s dating of the Stürler Presentation Case is located on the locking mechanism, which has a stamped uppercase patent date of PAT’D. DEC. 14,09 which indicates the case was made as early as 1909 or, more than likely, several years later.

Most importantly, is that whatever Swiss Ordonnanz pistols, DWM M1900 and/or M1906 models were fitted, based on the case cover long term internal impressions, is that both pistols had the third and final design, higher profile thumb safety with fluted grasping surface lever. Interestingly, Stürler, in his tenure as Director of the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik also presided over the 06/24 Waffenfabrik Bern manufactured pistol ³, therefore, one of the Oberst Louis von Stürler Presentation Case fitted Ordonnanz pistols could have been an 06/24 W+F Bern. This suggests three possible configurations; Possibility 1, two fitted standard, early production M1900 Swiss Ordonnanz pistols. Possibility 2, two DWM Swiss Extra-Serie Ordonnanz pistols, an M1900 and an M1906 ⁴ and Possibility 3, an Extra-Serie DWM M1900 Ordonnanz pistole and a special 06/24 Waffenfabrik Bern pistol.

Assuming the Oberst Louis von Stürler Presentation Case was originally fitted with a later production Old Model and a New Model Swiss Ordonnanz pistol, both with thumb safeties with the third and final style shorter, fluted thumb safety lever creates another scenario, which is that the subject case was presented to Stürler at his retirement, one assumes circa 1920, the end of his position as Director of the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik. This creates yet another interesting possibility that Stürler was the recipient of three, possibly Extra-Serie presentation Swiss Ordonnanz pistols,

1. an early production contract M1900 Swiss Ordonnanz pistol in circa 1901 and,
2. a later production cased presentation set, fitted with a DWM M1900 Extra-Serie and,
3. a M1906 Extra-Serie and/or a special 06/24 Waffenfabrik Bern Swiss Ordonnanz pistol ⁵ 19 years later in circa 1920.

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The Ten Commandments

If indeed there were only ten, three-digit serial numbered Swiss “Presentation” Extra-Serie receiver stamped E pistols issued, it is reasonable to assume that the ten commission members that participated in the 1898 and 1899 Swiss Test Trials would each be recipients of these “Presentation” pistols and with only ten presentation pistols available or allocated as stated by Sturgess in TBLAP V1 C13 on page 213 Fig 3-118 text caption. It is possible, therefore, that the Oberst Louis von Stürler two cased “Presentation” pistols were, purportedly, not of either variation of E marked Swiss pistols. Additionally, that no other Swiss “Presentation” pistol(s), with or without a presentation case have been identified suggests the commission members, other than the subject Oberst Louis von Stürler authenticated M1900 contents Swiss Presentation Case, as of this writing, no other M1900 Swiss cased presentation set exists or has been identified.

Apparently, if Oberst Louis von Stürler, test commission member and the Director of the Eidgenössiche Waffenfabrik (1894 – 1920) was considered important enough for a Presentation Case, then surely the President of the test commission Captain v. Orelli, commanding officer of the Kriegstechnische Abteilung (KTA - War Technology Department) was equally deserving and if also presented with a similar case containing two M1900 Extra-Series Swiss presentation pistols, leaves only six remaining Swiss presentation pistols meaning, possibly, two of the ten original test commission members would not get one of the presentation pistols and instead, would receive a hand shake and a “thank you very much for your service” salutation. Even with only one identified and authenticated Oberst Louis von Stürler Swiss presentation case, originally fitted with two Swiss M1900 pistols, of unknown configuration, still leaves one test commission member without a presentation pistol, cased, holstered or otherwise.

THE BORCHARDT-LUGER PISTOLS CHAPTER 3 – DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARABELLUM PISTOL

Per TBLAP V1 C3 page 140 Sturgess stated that: It has been “reported” ⁶ that the Swiss returned all 20 troop trials 1899 prototype pistols to the DWM factory at the conclusion of their trial and adoption after May 1900, and that 10 of these pistols, with the final improvements requested by the Swiss, were returned for presentation to the members of the Swiss Commission. It is clear from the correspondence between the W+F and the KTA, however, that only 10 pistols were returned to Berlin after the trials, and these were eventually replaced in June 1901 with production pistols numbered E601 – E610, so keeping the Swiss books of account in order. ⁷ Confusingly, ⁸ these ten pistols were held in reserve as the beginning of the “Extra-Serie ” held by the W+F for technical and shooting competition presentation purposes, and were not the pistols presented to the members of the Commission. These ten Commission Presentation pistols are recorded in this correspondence (B.A., Bern, B 27/3071-73) to have been standard Swiss military pistols from the regular contract serial range numbered 601 – 610 (without the E suffix frame serial number). ⁹

The 10 E receiver stamped “Presentation” three-digit serial number series M1900 Swiss Lugers is further described in TBLAP page 213, Fig. 3-118 text caption: The first 10 pistols of the Extra-Serie, sns E601 - E610 were distinguished from the duplicate serial numbers of the Swiss contract range, 601 – 610, which were presented to the members of the Pistol Commission, by the addition of the letter “E” next to the “+” inspection mark on the left receiver wall (here pistol E 603); later weapons of the Extra-Serie were more conventionally numbered with the “E” immediately prefixing the serial number “689” on the frame and above the number on the barrel. Pictured are multiple views of a purported first contract example M1900 “Presentation” pistol serial number 608 described by Sturgess. Note the lack of E in the frame serial number and the left side facing receiver applied backward letter E, forward of the Federal Swiss Cross.

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Regarding the disposition of the 20 1899 Swiss Test Trials Pistols, †Eugen Heer in Die Faustfeuerwaffen von 1850 bis zur Gegenwart has a different conclusion and although different from Sturgess’s definition of the “10 Presentation” pistols stating the 10 “Presentation” pistols were modified 1899 Test Trials Borchardt Lugers, Heer also stated that none of these Test Trials pistols had been identified or associated any “modified” 1899 Borchardt Test Trials Swiss presentation pistol(s), cased or stand-alone, to any personage and additionally no mention of a special 10 (601 – 610) serial number range of E receiver marked Swiss “Presentation” pistols.

Other than Pistole Parabellum and The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols by †Görtz/Sturgess, several other, mostly Swiss published books do not mention Swiss M1900 Swiss ordinance “Presentation” pistols with the exception of The Luger Pistol-Monograph IV: The Swiss Variations 1897 – 1947 © 1992 by †Fred A. Datig where he states on page 27:

A special group of ten pistols of the first variation of the Model 1900, serial numbered from “01” to “10”, were presented to various Swiss officials at about the time of the of the official adoption of the pistol in 1901. The specimen bearing the serial number “01” has been erroneously identified as the first of the 5,000 military pistol contract, which it is not. Note M1900 Swiss Production pistol 01 pictured in TBLAP V1, C3, Fig. 9-64 was first pictured and identified as of the †Henk Visser Collection in The Luger Book © 1986, page 255 & page 256.

At an undetermined date, another special order of an unknown number of the Model 1900 of the third variant type was produced which carried serial numbers prefixed with the block letter “E”. Those which have been found in Switzerland run from number “E588 to “E735” inclusive. The disposition and/or whereabouts of pistols probably numbered from “E1” to “E587” remains a mystery and questions have also been raised regarding still higher digits, perhaps from “E736” to “E1000”. The significance of the letter “E” also remains unknown to us at this time. Of interest here is the fact that 100 of this “E” series of pistols were later re-numbered in Switzerland to include an “A” suffix which ran from number “5001A” to number “5100A”. (This information) due entirely to the painstaking research of Michael am Rhyn of Lucerne, Switzerland.

As noted, 5,000 units, serial numbered from “1” to “5000” were produced in Berlin, Germany, for Switzerland over the five-year period. 1901 – 1906 (plus the units numbered “5001 A” to “5100\A\”, plus the ten pistols from “01” to “010”, plus some 50 pieces for test purposes of which the specimen illustrated on page 23 is one). The pistol pictured on page 23 is “1899 Borchardt Luger 33” which has since been debunked. A more apt example that †Datig refers to would be 1899 Borchardt 40 which comfortably fits in the †Datig stated 50 “test” pieces range.

Regarding the †Datig statement that: The specimen bearing the serial number “01” has been erroneously identified as the first of the 5,000 military pistol contract, which it is not. Apparently, as of 1992 some collectors had come to the conclusion of the production status of the 10 Swiss Ordnance Lugers numbered 01 – 010, which prompted †Datig to address it in his 1992 book while, interestingly, there is no documented publication prior to 1992 that supported †Datig’s conclusions, pro or con, or for that matter discussed the existence of M1900 Swiss “Presentation” pistols at all. It was only 18 years later in the © 2010 publication Pistole Parabellum that Sturgess, contrary to †Datig’s 1992 conclusions, supported the production status of the first 10 M1900 Swiss pistols serial numbered 01 – 010 only, not 01 - 099. Probable M1900 Swiss production military Luger serial number 01 was listed in November 2024 by Simpson Ltd. for $150,000.00.

DWM in the 1920s introduced other series/categories of Lugers with single digit serial numbers starting with 1 and not 01. One example is a vertical C/N proofed Germany export marked navy commercial serial number 1, however, being a 1920s parts gun, does not qualify as a production or contract series. There is another serial number 1 stamped, although curiously unproofed Luger, yet Germany export marked in three locations, the frame front, on top of the plain chamber and on the wooden bottom magazine, being possibly the first example of the 1920s production of the 30 Cal, 98 mm barrel commercial series.

Regarding DWM serial numbers, in all likelihood, truly, the subject 1920s Luger is the first 1, ¹⁰ no pun intended vs the one and only 01, M1900 production Swiss Ordnance Parabellum.

If the M1900 Swiss production first 10 serial numbers 01 through 010 are preceded by the numeric 0 and if indeed are M1900 Swiss production, then the serial numbers from 11 up to 99 should be numbered 01 through 099, it is therefore, unusual that no other serial numbers, other than 017, (actually, purportedly a commercial proofed M1900 Swiss) “reported” by Sturgess, have been identified. Pictured is an LOB spreadsheet compilation of identified M1900 serial numbers 01 through 109. Regarding the †Datig range of M1900 Swiss E Prefix serial number range of E588 to E738, pictured is an LOB spreadsheet compilation of identified E prefix serial numbers in that range. Also pictured is an LOB spreadsheet compilation of identified M1900 Swiss A suffix pistols. Pictured is M1900 Swiss Ordonnanz pistole 5006A, privatized in 1935.

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Semantics

If, as Sturgess states DWM, for accounting purposes, that 10 additional M1900 pistols, E series receiver stamped serial numbers 601 to 610 were allocated to the Swiss military, the question is, were they identified by DWM to be issued to the Swiss military for presentation to the ten members of the pistol commission or were they actually identified by DWM specifically as presentation pistols? The difference is, if actually identified by DWM as presentation pistols, they should have had Georg Luger’s GL monogram on the rear links. If presented directly to the members of the test commission from the Swiss military, in all likelihood, there would not be a GL monogram on the rear link.

For example, when DWM, represented by Hans Tauscher issued cased presentation pistols to Graham h. Powell and Colonel Theodore A. Bingham of the U.S. Army for their contributions in the U.S Army M1900 Luger test program, the rear link of both presentation pistols bore the GL monogram, in addition to their chamber crested gold inlaid initials. Conversely, with an identical style silver oval cartouche or escutcheon of the Director of the Waffenfabrik Oberst (Col.) Louis von Stϋrler presentation case, one would expect the original fitted, two Swiss pistols to be similarly adorned. Although, other than the 20 GL rear link applied logo 1899 Borchardt Luger Test Trials pistols, there are no known GL logo marked M1900 production Swiss military pistols.

M1900 Swiss Ordonnanz Pistol serial number 608 was listed by Simpson Ltd on 30 August 2024 with the below “Product Description” which references TBLAP © 2010 & 2011 by †Görtz/Sturgess as source information in describing the pistol. Apparently Sturgess was, prior to listing, contacted regarding this pistol and had the following comments: Very nice and rare piece, and one of the first ten of the Extra-Serie as sn 603E that I illustrated in the book. I think that the assembler simply made an error when marking the gun, and accidentally turned the “E” stamp upside down when he struck it, as it is otherwise identical to sn 603E in the sn placements etc. Interesting also that it has two scribed “X” marks in the strip down latch well, indicating that it was rejected and corrected twice before being accepted – a lot of P’00s in this period had this reject/rework scribed “X”, but I’ve never seen one with two before – shows how short of supply DWM were in the beginning that these were not rejected outright and sold commercially, “but reworked until the Swiss accepted them.” ¹¹ I'm afraid I have no other records of these guns: E689 was sold by Julia, and I cannot recall who owned E603 when I photographed it. Pictured is E690.

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Simpson Ltd Product Description

30 Luger; 98% blue, 98% straw, excellent bore, excellent grips, 4¾'' barrel, the very first group of production Lugers were made for the Swiss military and delivered in 1901. They were made with the advice and supervision of a group of ten Swiss military officers known at the "Pistol Commission" ¹². From these first deliveries of 610 pistols, ten pistol numbers E601 to E610 were designated to be given to the members of the Pistol Commission. The only marking designation of these 10 pistols was an E next to the Swiss Cross proof on the left side of the receiver, and the serial number in the 601 to 610 range. This information is documented by text and data from the Swiss Federal Archives in a book written by Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess ¹³ and published by Brad Simpson Publishing, "The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols", pages 212-213 (see copies). Another of these pistols, s/n 603, is pictured on page 213. The names of the Pistol Commission members are known but the two known pistols owners are not so far identified. ^[14] Original blued finish and strawed small parts with checkered walnut grips. Swiss Cross in Sunburst crest on top of the chamber. Unrelieved frame with partially relieved magazine well. Unmarked early "flat button" Swiss magazine, having the disc wood base. Matching serial numbers on the numbered parts including the grips. Excellent+ grips and bore. Excellent+ "Flat Button" magazine. Ref: Sturgess Vol I Page 212-213. An extremely rare and historic Luger! s/n E6xx, Catalog Number SW-198

List of source materiel researched for this article:

1. Die Geschützte der Parabellum-Pistole in der Schweiz, 1970 private publication by †Reinhard Kornmayer

2. Bewaffnung und Ausrüstung der Schweizer Armee seit 1817, © 1975 by †Christian Reinhart/Micheal am Rhyn

3. Schweizer Faustfeuerwaffen, © 1975 by †Fritz Häusler

4. Die Faustfeuerwaffen von 1850 bis zur Gegenwart, © 1976 by †Eugen Heer

5. Faustfeuerwaffen Der Eidgenossen, © 1978 by †Horst Rutsche

6. The Luger Book ©, 1986 by John Walter

7. Pistolen und Revolver der Schweiz, © 1988 by †Christian Reinhart

8. The Luger Pistol-Monograph IV: The Swiss Variations 1897 – 1947, © 1992 by †Fred A. Datig

9. PARABELLUM - A Technical History of Swiss Lugers, book 1 © 1996 by Vittorio Bobba

10. Swiss Parabellum Lugers 1900 To 1947, © 2006 by Jesse L. Murry

11. Pistole Parabellum, © 2010 by †Görtz/Sturgess

12. The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols, © 2010 & 2011 by †Görtz/Sturgess

13. 1899 Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Lugers, © 2011 by Charles Whittaker

14. Kompendium No 08 Thuner Piftolenverfuche 1892-1900 © 2016 by Alexander Stucki ¹⁵

15. PARABELLUM - A Technical History of Swiss Lugers, book 2 © 2023 by Vittorio Bobba ¹⁶

[1] Picture excerpted from The Luger Book © 1986 by J. Walter, courtesy of Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik, Bern.

[5] The Ordonnanzpistole 06/24 W+F, variation 1, serial number 20688 pistol is a "signature" gun and is featured on pages 216 and 217 of FAUSTFEUERWAFFEN DER EIDGENOSSEN © 1978 by †Horst Rutsch, and was once part of the late Horst Rutsch personal collection (W + F-Fatiguing, erste Variante, Waffen-Nr.: 20688, Sammlung: Horst Rutsch). Serial number 20688 was manufactured in 1922.

[6] Sturgess does not identify the “reported” source, but it could be the comments in the © 1976 Die Faustfeuerwaffen von 1850 bis zur Gegenwart by †Eugen Heer.

[10] There are undoubtedly other Luger series that start with the serial number 1, for example, the military P08 and LP08, however, the subject 1920s serial number 1 is the only published example. Regarding the M1900 Swiss Military Parabellums vs the M1900 Swiss commercial Parabellums, they are not a separate serial number series.

[14] Again, it is an unproved assertion that these two pistols sns 603 and 608 are Swiss “Presentation Pistols” and even though the subject Oberst Louis von Stürler “Presentation Case”, being the only example extant, establishes the existence of M1900 Swiss Presentation pistols, until an association can be made to a particular recipient to a specific Swiss M1900 pistol, the identity of the configuration or markings of a Swiss M1900 “Presentation” pistol remains inconclusive.

[15] Salient portions of this Swiss publication relating to the 1897, 1898, 1899 Borchardt Lugers test program and early M1900 production were translated and found no new information. Pictured is translated page 119 where it describes the …so-called E (prefixed) or Extra Series pistols as not intended to be handed out as personal weapons, but for special purposes (gifts, training weapons etc.).