1906 Swiss Cross & Sunburst, Commercial

1900 Swiss Cross & Sunburst

This is a 1900 Model, Military Swiss Cross & Sunburst manufactured by DWM (Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken AG) factory which is displayed on the first toggle link. The Cross and Sunburst over the chamber identifies this Parabellum as a Swiss contract gun. The extractor is the flat metal spring type and on the receiver and barrel is the Swiss Geneva Cross proof. It is believed these guns were proofed in Berlin at the DWM factory by a Swiss inspector and then were passed through the Bern factory. (1335)

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. Please visit Legal (tabbed) for Conditions of Sale.


The DWM on the 1st toggle link and the Geneva Cross in Sunburst on the chamber with the standard military proof marks other than the Swiss Cross that appears on the left side of the barrel; two digits of the serial number are on the rear toggle link along with the "V" sight. We provide extensive pictures so you can access the percentage of bluing; this model has a hold open latch and all matching numbers.

The Classic Luger squeeze grip 1900 Swiss military self-loading pistol was manufactured by DWM with the 120mm (4.75") Barrel for the Swiss military in a very special high number series known to be issued in 1913. Numbered in the DWM 5 digit commercial series that is the one of the best models you can get. This Luger has the old model long frame and no stock lug.

The 5 digit serial number placement is clean and crisp and in a slightly larger than DWM Swiss font. The bottom of the magazine is not marked "Germany" which was required of all export guns to show the nation of origin. This Parabellum was never intended for export but as an early military contract gun to Switzerland. The very low series of the serial number means, at that time this was the fourteen thousandth, three hundred and sixty fourth Parabellum produced by serial number and the number placement puts into the 1913 period just before Germany stopped delivering the Parabellum because of WWI.

The 1900 Parabellum was the classic production Luger. The dished toggles, pencil thin 7.65mm barrel, the flat top of the toggles, the Type II checkered thumb safety, the squeeze grip safety, all contributed to the beauty and every lasting memory of this hand gun.

At the last minute before the trials of 1898 Georg Luger achieved the substitution of the first two true Borchardt-Lugers. The future characteristics of the Luger were apparent but these were "off-the-bench" test weapons as yet to be finally developed. The prototypes performed exceptionally and the Swiss wanted a continuation of the trials in 1899. In May 1899 a revised Luger was submitted with modified safety and reduced weight by 70-90 grams. The gun was further modified and resubmitted in the fall for field testing by Swiss military units.


The magazines with the metal inserts are prized by collectors, representing the very early Swiss guns, they serviced no other purpose than to enhance the beauty of the gun. The grips are the checkered walnut, there is no stock lug, there is a hold-open.

The serial number of this Parabellum indicates it was issued in 1913. This Parabellum is 7.65mm which was the preferred caliber for accuracy at that time. It has the 120mm barrel insisted by the Swiss. (Standard DWM manufacture was 118mm).

The distinctive Swiss Geneva Cross within the Sunburst is recognized the world over. The extractor of the 1900 model is the flat metal early version. The second toggle reveals the flat top of the early models and the application of three digits is another sign of the early models.

Above Left: The rear toggle link displays a hatched (very early) diced pattern (A) vs. the serrated design and the top of the toggle is flat (B) to the receiver. On the rear toggle is a three digit (C) serial number (matching the gun) which is a very early sign of production. The thumb safety is buffed (D); Switzerland is multi-lingual and it was considered non-politic to issue the weapons with the German "Gesichert" on the safety.

This Parabellum is 7.65mm which was the preferred caliber for accuracy at that time. It has the 120mm barrel insisted by the Swiss. (Standard DWM manufacture was 118mm).

When all the trials proved successful the Swiss adopted the Parabellum as their military side arm on 4 May 1900. The very early guns had unrelieved magazines (below serial 900) and hand engraved Federal Crosses while DWM tooled up for production. Around 5000 there was the introduction of the wide trigger and trigger guard. The thumb safety was changed from the checkered to fluted dicing around 1800-2000 and the rear safety was widened at the same time.


The grips are the fine diamond checkered walnut, there is no stock lug, there is a hold-open. The long pencil thin barrel is the classic look.

Above Left: The underside of the locking lever and side plate reveal the last two digits of the serial number in the concealed manner of a commercial variations. Above Right: The trigger does not have a serial number but bears the Geneva Cross of the Swiss inspector.

The extractor was of 'flat spring type' and the thumb safety was buffed. Switzerland is multi-lingual and it was considered non-politic to issue the weapons with the German "Gesichert" on the safety.

The 14000 serial number places delivery of this gun in 1913 while the toggle knobs, thumb safety serrations and long frame would expect this gun to have a much earlier production. When the new thumb safety was introduced so was the wide grip safety (shown above right). While some would call this Parabellum an anomaly it can find its origin in several writers observations.

Shortly before the 1st World War when production stopped in Berlin because of the demand to arm the German forces with the Parabellum the serial numbers were at 15215. It has been documented that, just prior to WWI, at least a hundred or so early 1900 models with unrelieved frames, "a" suffix, training guns, an various experimental guns were rebuilt by the Eidgenossische Waffenfabrik to the standards of the perfected Ordonnanzpistolen 1900 and these were mixed in with the deliveries of the Shield and Cross 1906 models. The 14364 serial number supports this theory and the fact there are no Swiss Proof of Col Vogelsang may confirm this is one of those so re-built with all the early characteristics.


The interior views of the gun show a very clean and well preserved weapon. The mechanical parts of the are clearly visible with the fire-blued pins, nitrate blued locking lever, trigger, etc., and the well polished surface show the old-world craftsmanship at its finest. 1903 was the last year of the leaf spring inside the Luger before the coil spring. How this one was serial numbered and shipped must be a function of the World War. The grip safety has been removed to show the leaf spring and grip safety return spring.

This Parabellum is 7.65mm which was the preferred caliber for accuracy at that time. It has the 120mm barrel insisted by the Swiss. (Standard DWM manufacture was 118mm).

The left and right area of the Parabellum is where you would expect to see the military acceptance of Major Vogelsang [Swiss Cross over "V"] which numbers after 12000 bear his acceptance stamp. The Geneva Cross, assumed applied by the Swiss inspector at the Berlin DWM plant is on all the standard parts of the gun.

It is entirely subjective to give any firearm a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few collectible weapons 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. Any questions or request for additional purchases email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com This firearm is eligible for transfer to C&R permit holder, even in California. We are registered with CA DOJ for firearms shipment.

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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