A F Stoeger Artillery Luger

This is a 1914 Model, built in the early '20's for A. F. Stoeger by DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken). It is 9mm with an 8" (200mm) barrel, artillery model with the 800 meter adjustable rear sight mounted on the barrel. This is a beautiful commercial artillery and represents the pinnacle for the artillery collector. (1019)

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.

After WWI, the German economy was characterised by enormous inflation. The American market was the only national market to experience growth. A.F. Stoeger (1863-1945) was an Austrian born sporting goods dealer in New York that was appointed DWM's sole agent for the U.S. in 1922. With a surplus of unfinished Parabellums and parts DWM was attempting to re-establish its foreign sales and assembled Lugers with various barrel lengths for its customers.


This is a 9mm weapon with all the matching parts serial numbered in the commercial manner (hidden). The barrel is 200mm and it has the matching serial numbered adjustable sight. The commercial Crown N proofs are well struck and tell the story of the gun. The barrel inside is shiny with distinctive lands and grooves. The magazine is clean and marked Germany (commercial), another difficult find to correctly match the gun.

Aaron Davis identified a collector model "1920 Commercial" in The Standard Catalog of Luger. He identified is as DWM Commercial offerings made from existing military stocks, with the commercial Crown N and in the serial number block "i" range. He further stated the extractors were either "Gesichert" or "Safe".

Randall Gibson in the "The Krieghoff" identified the "i" block as 1920 Commercial guns some which were obtained by Krieghoff. Trying to date stamp the "i" block may never be achieved but this two-digit "i" block most likely was built in 1920. The contract for Abercrombie & Fitch was also filled using the "i" block suffix by DWM. This frame is an "artillery" model, the rear toggle does not have a 2nd rear sight from the use of a standard toggle and it bears all the characteristics attributed to the 1920 Commercial Lugers.

It is known that DWM accepted an order from A. F. Stoeger for 2,500 Lugers on March 7th 1922. Stoeger had requested of DWM to stamp the A. F. Stoeger Inc, New York on the receivers of this order. The 1923 Stoeger American Eagle was filled with the commercial 5 digit serial numbers in the n, p, and q blocks. The 1920 and 1923 models represent the Stoeger "2 line" models.

Stoeger sought and registered the name Luger in 1929 in the United States and proceeded to use the word "Genuine Luger - Registered U.S. Patent Office. Stoeger catalogs from that period show the Luger and offer various barrel lengths. It is believed Stoeger imported a machine to change barrels to suit a customers special requirements.




Note the "Loaded" extractor and "Gesichert" thumb safety. The frame has the stock lug and the barrel is numbered and proofed to the weapon. The American Eagle was first struck on the 1900 models brought to the United States for military testing. It was a marketing success and American Eagle models were continued into the '30's for export to the US. Below one can see the early adjustable leaf sight that is serial numbered to the Parabellum.


Sometimes in examination people think the leaf site is bent. However, when raising the site to the full 800 meter position reveals a 7° left movement. This design compensates for the rifling on the 200 mm barrel which gives the bullet a twist in flight and if properly adjusted will permit a corrected point of impact. Another example of Luger engineering. This was designed as a precision weapon and with the extended barrel and 800m rear sight make it formidable.
Located serial numbers under the side plate and with the Crown N commercial nitro proof. The finishing on these guns is outstanding. Right: The serial number appears on the thumb safety.

Above illustrate that this frame and toggles are standard artillery model; the frame is cut over the chamber to accept the front sight which when fully depressed is set into the receiver. The rear toggle is the artillery type without a rear sight found on some of the parts artillery models assembled.

In 1930 through a series of mergers DWM machinery, parts and personnel moved from Berlin to Oberndorf and immediately began producing Lugers from existing stocks. The first contract filled was for the Dutch Air Force and this was completed in 1928. While during this period that majority of work at Mauser Werke was re-works they did produce the contract for three line A. F. Stoeger of New York.

This has been recognized by most authorities as falling in the 403v-463v. The notes of August Weiss indicated that the serial numbers 515v-524v were delivered in 1930. This was later revised to include 400v-600v in the original Stoeger order and dated the production to the 33-34 era. Most are described made with the safe and loaded indications.


The inside of the gun is clean and well cared for. Note the vertical Crown N on the receiver and toggle. During this period the polishing before the salt blue process was extraordinary. It is hard to find machine or tool marks on this gun. The low 2 digit serial number puts this Parabellum in the early part of 1920.

Matching serial numbers and the commercial "Germany" marked magazine make this a "correct" Luger and a very hard to obtain early Stoeger contract gun. Below one can see the two-line Stoeger proofing and the "Germany" export on the receiver.