This is a 1928 commercial 9mm on a new 1906 Model frame, 100mm barrel with a grip safety and no stock lug. Berlin-Karlsruher Industrie-Werke Aktiengesselshaft (BKIW) bear the marking DWM the forward toggle link, "RUST" with an arrow curving upwards above the thumb safety lever and "GELADEN" on both sides of the extractor. The Dutch labeled this as the M11 and only 3,820 were delivered in 1927/1928  (1487)

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.

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.).

The 1928 Contract differed from the WWI orders with the installation of the short sear that enabled the gun to be cocked with the safety applied. This was a result of George Luger's invention of the short sear in 1915 and applied to 1916+ Parabellums.

It is reported that, for some unknown reason, the Netherlands placed an order for approximately 10,000 Luger Pistols sometime during the course of the First World War. Why the order was placed with Vickers, Ltd. of England is unknown. It is a known fact that Lugers had been received from DWM in 1916, or at least examples so dated have been encountered.

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. The requirement to arm the South Indies colonies grew after the WWI requiring additional side arms.

One of the characteristics of the Dutch contracts was that the extractor was marked on both sides. this was a peculiarity only with the Dutch Parabellums throughout production of the Luger.  BELOW: (A) German Nitro Proof, (B) Geladen (Loaded on both sides); (C) Serial # on the short sear; (D) Rust - Only on Dutch Lugers.

Most Dutch Indies Lugers are encountered with  a brass plate, measuring approxi­mately 1 1/2 inches in length by 3/8ths of an inch in height, will probably be found to be braised onto the left side of the frame between the wooden grip and the left toggle. This Parabellum was assigned to a Communications Company, 2nd Battalion Engineers weapon #24.

These plates were added to the pistol by the Netherlands Government and usually have various combinations of letters and numbers inscribed thereon. They acted as identification plates for the profusion of military units to whom Lugers were issued.  This rear area unit may account for the excellent condition this Dutch Luger may display.

All pistols, holsters, magazine pouches and pistol accessories of the Dutch East Indies Army were fitted with so-called Unit Marks and weapon numbers when they entered the service. Small brass plates, side plates on pistols and stamps were used to distinguish various units. Initially small brass plates were placed on the front trigger guard. Later with more complicated unit designations the brass plate was located on the side of the Luger.

Above: Perhaps to date the gun, but then again purely speculative, the numbering of  the rear connecting pin was a 1932 German directive. This pin is marked with the '65' last two digits of the serial number.  While the Dutch were very innovative in their modifications and requirements for their firearms they were either finely tuned to the German requirements or the Germans adopted this practice in 1932. The grips are numbered to the Parabellum.

A Dutch Luger mark that has been much discussed over the years is the KL mark or the Circle KL mark. The only Dutch Lugers so marked are the 3,820 East Indies Luger pistols delivered in 1928 where it was factory applied on the right hand side of the receiver. Unfortunately there is no documentary evidence of the KL and has been explained as Koninklijke Landmacht (Royal Army) or Koninklijke Luchmacht (Royal Air Force). Another more plausable is the initials KOL mean Koloniën (colonies) and it was applied by DWM in 1928 to distinguish between the Indies Lugers and the Dutch Navy Lugers.  Your choice.

It is entirely subjective to give any weapon a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few guns 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. If you have any questions about this or any of our Lugers email Josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

This 1928 Dutch 9mm East Indies Unit Marked Parabellum is probably the best we have ever seen. The original finish is far beyond what is expected of the Dutch variations and with the original small diamond grips this is a very fine example of the KOL examples. While most of the Vickers survived in extremely worn condition by virtue of their employment in the Dutch colonies this model is a collector grade gun for the most discriminating collector who simply wants the best.   This Parabellum is subject to withdrawal without notice for over the counter sale.  Any questions to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com   Thanks for looking. This Luger is now offered for $4,695.00 to the Dutch collector.