Reichs Banh

1939 German Railway (Reichsbahn) Luger

PHOENIX INVESTMENT ARMS - PREMIUM COLLECTOR LUGERS

Genuine German Luger - Largest Variety of Lugers Offered


This is a 1939 Mauser Banner commercial Luger bought by the German Railway Service "Deutsche Reichsbahn". The Luger is all matching with two commercial magazines (blank bottom) in a commercial holster with a Reichsbahn buckle. These were uilized by the Bahnschutzpolizei who were responsible for railway security. (1079)

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 is a Mauser built "w" series partially using DWM Luger. This Parabellum is 9mm with a 4" (100mm) barrel with a fixed serrated front sight that is proofed and serial numbered to the gun. Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "Geladen." This example has all matching numbers. There is a "V" notched rear sight and stock lug.

This is a 9mm Parabellum with a short sear, commercial strawed trigger, locking lever, thumb safety, magazine release and extractor. The crown U proof (Oberndorf) commercial proof appears on the receiver and the breach block. When the C/U is horizontal it means the gun was manufactured from DWM parts. When you see the C/U vertical it means the gun was manufactured with Mauser parts. You can see from this angle that the frame has the 2mm extension of the rear of the frame that shrouds the rear main axel pin in full recoil. This is known as the Mauser "hump" and identifies Mauser made frames.



The Luger has a stock lug and and the rig comes with a loading tool and matching grips.

The Deutsche Reichsbahn ("German Reich Railway") was the name of the German national railway created from the railways of the individual states of the German Empire following the end of World War I.

It was founded in 1920 as the Deutsche Reichseisenbahnen when the Weimar Republic (formally "Deutsches Reich," hence the usage of "Reich" in the name of the railway) took national control of the German railways, which had previously been run by the German states.

In 1924 it was reorganized under the aegis of the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft (DRG), a nominal private railway company, which was 100% owned by the German state.

In 1937 it was reorganized again as a state authority and given the name Deutsche Reichsbahn (DRB). After the Anschluss in 1938 the DR also took over the Bundesbahn Österreich (BBÖ, Federal Railway of Austria).


The holster is the original brown color with the stitching still white and the leather subtle and function. All straps and buckles are functional.
The grips are the standard walnut grip with proof marks and serial numbered to the gun.

The Deutsche Reichsbahn buckle is the pebble backed stamped version, gilded for a high official and the very rare design worn only by a Reichsbahn official.

The holster is dated 1939 making this part of the special order for the Reichsbahn and is still in magnificent condition with white stitching and soft leather. All the parts function and no import markings. Truly a one of one for the Banner Collector.

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 is a very clean and well cared for variation of the Commercial Banners made by Contract for various pseudo-military organizations. No military proofs but proofed in the military manner, even the holster is cut and dated as a military but without Waffenamt military acceptance as would be expected. Wood grips inspector marked with all the internal parts proofed and serial numbered. This Luger is super-clean for a battle field pickup and a very hard to find variation for the Mauser Banner collector.

At this time the German National Railway (then called the Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft, or German National Railway Company) was headed by Dr.Julius Dorpmuller, who had been appointed Generaldirektor der Deutsche Reichsbahn-Gesellschaft on 4 June 1926.

As of 10 February 1937, the title of the Deutsche Reichshahn-Gesellschaft was officially shortened to Deutsche Reichsbahn.


Serial number placement is unusual in that although a commercial "Banner" the side plate, the extractor, the safety, the sear bar retaining pin and the majority of the internal parts are serial numbered. This is a marvelous example of the Mauser Banner

The initial series of commercial Mauser Banners was the "v" series made from DWM parts. By the time (1939) the "w" series these were mostly Mauser made parts. The finish and deep blue colors are marvelous examples of the craftsmanship at the Mauser Werke plant in commercial production.


The Deutsche Reichsbahn (German National Railway) was one of the major uniformed civilian or "civil service" branches of the German government. It was a branch of the Reichsverkehrsministerium (National Transportffraffic Ministry), headed by the Reichsverkehrsminister (National Minister of Transport). At the time the Third Reich under Adolf Hitler came into power in January 1933, this position was held by Paul Freiherr von Eltz-Riibenach, who had been Minister of Transport since June 1932.

	In 1933, the German government established the *Bahnschutz* (railroad special protection force). This organisation, the personnel of which were drawn from railroad employees, was responsible for the protection of the railroads in time of war and civil disorder. Three basic armed security arms acted for the Reichsbahn: Bahnschutz – protected rail property from theft and sabotage. Bahnpolizei – kept discipline within the rail workforce. Wassershutzpolitzei – patrolled railway facilities in harbours, canals & waterways. In 1937, Hitler brought the German Railway System under complete national control. All three services were amalgamated in 1941 under the title of *Bahnshutzpolizei. It soon came under the control of Himmler and took more responsibility for the control and management of prisoners and security on the German Railway. In 1944 the Bahnschutzpolizei changed its name to SS-Bahnshutz.*

This is a very hard to find Mauser Banner for the Mauser collector and a must have for the railway police collecrtor as one of the ordered Banner contract Parabellums. This Luger is offered for $3,895.00 over the counter; we reserve the right to withdraw this offered for any in-store or gun show sale without notice. Question or requests for more data josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

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.

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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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