The entertwined LAH was the designed insignia of the original body guard unit whose sole purpose was to protect Der Führer (The Leader). In 1925, Hitler ordered the formation of his bodyguard unit, the Schutzkommando (protection command) which continued to expand into the designation in 1933 as Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler meaning (from old German) Guard of Corps to be evenually grow into the 1st SS Panzer Division whose symbol was the key (Above Right).

In the early days of the Nazi Party (NSDAP), the leadership realized that a bodyguard unit composed of reliable men was needed. Ernst Röhm formed a guard formation from the 19.Granatwerfer-Kompanie; from this formation the Sturmabteilung (SA) soon evolved. Adolf Hitler in early 1923, ordered the formation of a small separate bodyguard dedicated to his service rather than "a suspect mass", such as the SA. Originally the unit was composed of only eight men, commanded by Julius Schreck and Joseph Berchtold

The Waffen-SS was made up of three subgroups: the Leibstandarte, Hitler’s personal bodyguard; the Totenkopfverbände (Death’s-Head Battalions), and the Verfügungstruppen (Disposition Troops), which swelled to 39 divisions in World War II and which, serving as elite combat troops alongside the regular army, gained a reputation as fanatical fighters.

The extractor is marked 'GELADEN' [Loaded] which when extended tell the shooter that a round is in the chamber and is both visible and tactilely notice.

The early protective unit was designated the Stabswache (staff guard). The Stabswache were issued unique badges, but at this point was still under SA control. Schreck resurrected the use of the Totenkopf ("death's head") as the unit's insignia, a symbol various elite forces had used in the past, including specialized assault troops of Imperial Germany in World War I who used Hutier infiltration tactics. In May 1923, the unit was renamed Stoßtrupp (Shock Troop)–Hitler.The unit numbered no more than 20 members at that time. Pictured above (center) is Oberst-Gruppenführer Josef "Sepp" Dietrich.

This is quality leather with white stitching  and soft pliable leather. The pull strap is attached and fully functional. This was in all likelihood a presentation gun give for some feat or act of bravery.

The inside of the holster shows good clean stitching and the magazine loader pouch all in excellent working order.

The LSSAH participated in combat during the invasion of Poland, amalgamated into the Waffen-SS together with the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) and the combat units of the SS-Totenkopfverbände (SS-TV) prior to Operation Barbarossa in 1941. By mid-1942 it had been increased in size from a regiment to a Panzergrenadier division and was designated SS Panzergrenadier Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler". It received its final form as a Panzer division in October 1943.

This 1917 Luger is characterized by the 9mm  8" (200mm) barrel and was built with a hold open and utilized the short sear. The rear sight is the 800 meter leaf and front dovetailed sight; the frame has the stock lug and hold open device. 

In 1939 the order went out that all the leather accruetements would now be black except for some of the police units.  This leather escaped the die perhaps because it was personally owned by a member of the LSSAH or he wore it with his field uniform.  Proofed after January 1940, the introduction of the Eagle N proof and long after the contract production of the Lange Pistole as the 'artillery' model was known with a custom made holster this had to be a presentation gun to a very early soldier of the Nazi party.

This rig includes (1) Undated but 1940 proofed 200mm barrel all matching Parabellum, one brown soft textured holster, two matching magazines brown leather belt and enlisted SS belt buckle.

Above Left:  The proof marks on the right of the receiver indicating Eagle N (not to appear before 1940) and no drooped wing eagle "Reich Adler" Waffenamt proof of military acceptance on the receiver and the right side of the barrel. Above Right: On the left of the receiver is the four digit of the serial number on the chamber, the last two digits on the side plate and locking lever.  On top of the Parabellum you can see the extractor with two digits, the breach block has the last two digits on the side and the first toggle link on top (visible) while the 2nd toggle link is on the back.

The most distinctive feature of these pistols is undoubtedly the toggle-lock mechanism, which holds the breech closed by locking in a manner not unlike the human knee, which can sustain a heavy weight when straight, but once bent is quite easy to continue to bend. The toggle joint in its straight position resists the rearward force of the detonating cartridge, then "buckles" after enough time has passed. When a round is fired the entire breech, barrel and toggle move straight rearward (on rails) until the toggle begins to ride up on a pair of cams that "breaks" the toggle (makes it bend at the joint). Once the toggle joint is no longer straight, it bends freely, allowing the bolt to come rearward, and the striker to be cocked. The spent cartridge is extracted by a combination extractor/loaded chamber indicator on the top of the toggle, is ejected as the toggle nears the end of its rearward free travel, returning, and a new round is stripped from the magazine and chambered as the toggle is driven back to the straight position by a spring.

This is a excellent example of the hard to find War I, undated DWM Imperial Artillery Parabellum  and proofed after 1940 with the LAH [Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler] engraved over the chamber. Theis rig had to be made "by order" with the 1914 style parts yet proofed with 1940 proofs. It comes with two matching magazines, a brown 'artillery' holster, and a brown belt with an enlisted SS belt buckle. 

We reserve the right to withdraw any firearm from an auction site that is sold over the counter.   Questions to: josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com. This all-matching Parabellum with a death head proofed holster with belt loops and an extra matching magazine and loading tool is offered for $4,675.00 over-the-counter.

We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and no not warrant the availability of any firearm that does not have a physical deposit. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale.  Call for availability.