1928 Durch Air Force

This is a pre-WWII Parabellum manufactured by DWM for a contract to the Dutch for the East Indies Army. It was designated the M11 by the Dutch and only 3,820 were delivered in August/September 1928 within the range of 10182 to 14001 (inclusive). They had the 102mm barrel, standard 1906 squeeze-grip safety, were 9mm and lacked the lug for a butt-stock. (1060)

NOTE: Photographs taken today with the high mega-pixel camera show more than we sometimes can see with the human eye. Magnified close-ups show us tool marks and natural surface conditions that one normally doesn't see in the ordinary handling of the weapon. Photographs are copyrighted, all rights reserved, any extraction, reproduction or display of gun pictures without the express consent of the Phoenix Investment Arms is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation.


This thumb safety was marked "RUST", the magazine is the early style DWM with the wooden base and coil spring. Most examples of this Luger have suffered extreme surface damage due to the climate in which they were deployed. This one is in extraordinarily good condition for its age and service.


Sometimes the Luger will talk to us and tell us its story. In this case it carries all its history right there for us to see. Telling us it began in Berlin in 1928, went to Holland, was destined to be shipped to the Dutch East Indies. From the indication of the condition of this gun it must not have left Europe because it still has the DWM high deep blue finish.

Unit Markings: From 1888 on holsters and magazine pouches were unit marked with a little brass plate. The Lugers were initially marked by striking their unit and number on the backside of the frame (as above) . In 1919 the unit marks were changed; the original markings were filed off and the brass plate was applied. There were distinctive markings for the 1922 Dutch East Indies Army and then further modified in 1939 with a new number system. Data plates with unit markings were only applied to enlisted men; officers and NCO's didn't have the data plate.

See Kenyon "*Lugers at Random*" Page 208 These Lugers we purchased to deploy to the East Indies which suffered mostly from the climate as Holland was neutral in WWI. The East Indies guns were scheduled for factory refinish every six or seven years. The original blue is the bright rust blue of the DWM factory, while the factory refinish was a rather dull blue or "semi-matte" in appearance.

The bottom of the magazines were unmarked. The serial numbers of these guns were hidden, as these were commercial guns contracted to the Dutch. Note the Crown N on the barrel and the serial number fall into the recognized block of Dutch Air Force.

One of the idiosyncrasies of the Dutch Luger was the requirement for the extractor to be marked Geladen on both sides (exposed only when loaded). Note the GELADEN extractor marked on both sides, a Dutch Military specification and the KOL proof markings, clean and crisp. See *The Dutch Luger*, by Martens & de Vries Page 139. These pictures captures the specifics of the 1928 Model manufactured by DWM. The Crown N proof, the shortened post 1915 sear, with a hold open and no stock lug.
The date 1939 is commonly misunderstood. This is the date that the barrel was placed in service. So we have a 1928 delivered gun that was actually placed in service in 1939. the Dutch wanted to follow barrel wear and this gun.	Germany invaded Holland on May 10th, 1940 and despite the heroics of their air force (they lost 62 of 125 planes on the first day) the battle was over by May 14th while small skirmishes continued for until the 16th. Blitzkrieg was born. Dutch Invasion German Newsreels
These Lugers were among the very last that were produced by Berlin-Karlsruher Industrie-Werke A.G., the successor of DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Muntionsfabriken) when they resumed production in 1927. The Dutch East Indies Army was one of the first and last customers for the Lugers. Delivered in Aug/Sept of 1928 only 3,820 were produced. Only the Dutch Navy in a limited quantity were delivered by DWM in 1930. The balance of that contract was made by Mauser.


It is entirely subjective to give any Luger a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few Lugers are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria.

This all matching Luger has the distinction of possessing the original grips as delivered by DWM and serial numbered to the gun. The inside of the (below) is exceptionally clean and has the serial number on the rear axel pin, a characteristic usually attributed to the 1932 order of the Heeres-Verordnungsblatt.
	This is the cleanest Dutch Luger we have ever seen.

In the beginning, the Netherlands was one of the first countries to adopt the Luger officially, their initial order having been placed before 1908. They reordered at least once before the outbreak of the First World War and possibly twice. Despite the fact that they are one of the world's smallest nations, the Netherlands were good customers of DWM. Not only did the Army use the Luger but also the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Royal Netherlands Indies Army (K.N.I.L.) plus the Dutch Air Force.

This is an outstanding example of the 1928 Model Dutch Air Force Parabellum that is in excellent original condition. All matching and within the limited serial block of the Dutch Air Force this gun has both collector and historical significance for the advanced collector.

LAYAWAYS: Sometimes our "significant other" doesn't understand the beauty, craftsmanship and investment potential of one of these investor grade weapons. In these circumstances where discretion becomes the better part of valor we will accept layaways of up to one year with at least 20% down and some activity occurring monthly to insure that after one year the sale is completed. Cancellations of layaways forfeit 33% if done within two months, otherwise 100%. You can transfer a layaway to a consignment sale at any time. See "Legal" for exact terms.

See Credits, Bibliography, Notices and Disclaimers.

3 Day Return Policy

We honor a three day return policy. We will answer any questions, send you any pictures, as detailed as you want, to insure that what we are showing you is what you want to see, before you buy it. See Legal.

FIRING ANY WEAPON NEGATES ANY CHANCE OF RETURN!

WARNING: We do not represent these guns as safe to fire. They are not test fired before sale; they are sold as collectibles only. Prior to firing you should have it inspected by a qualified individual and abide by all safety requirements.

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