1928 Dutch Navy Contract

This is a 1928 commercial 9mm on a new 1908 Model frame, 100mm barrel without a grip safety but with a stock lug bought by contract for the Dutch Navy. Berlin-Karlsruher Industrie-Werke Aktiengesselshaft (BKIW) the successor to DWM, still bear the marking DWM the forward toggle link, "RUST" with an arrow curving downwards above the thumb safety lever and "GELADEN" on both sides of the extractor. The Dutch labeled this as the M1 and only 1484 were delivered in 1928/1930 (1736)

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In 1928, the Dutch Navy adopted the P-08 Pistol as its official handgun to replace the outdated revolver. Although the guns were very different from P-04 previously used by Naval Air Service, they retained the same designation : "Automatic Pistol #1". From 1928 on small qualities were ordered each year. The total number of Parabellums from 1928-1930 were #1-1,484 all numbered consecutively. These are rare guns to find because of the small number and no identification marks to make them distinctive except the thumb safety and stock lug.


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. Basically it was a 1906 model without the grip safety.


With the 4 digit serial number and the Crown 'N' these Lugers were initially built for Commercial sales and with the serial numbers in the hidden position under the locking lever and side plate. Converted off the shelf for the Dutch Navy specifications.

The serial number appears on the front of the frame, on the bottom of the proofed barrel, locking lug, side plate, breach block, trigger, rear toggle link, rear connecting pin, and grip safety. It appears to have a Three-ring Crown D on the magazine which has been accepted by some as a Danzig proof mark.

The Naval pistols differed in some aspects from those used in Dutch East Indies. The Pistol #1 lacked the grip safety. Because of this the safety lever worded in the opposite direction to thos of M-11 pistols, and the arrow near the ""RUST" marked pointed downward. Furthermore, the Navy Lugers had a stock lug a the backside of the grip, as was standard on all German production models from 1913 on.

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.


All pistols were delivered under German proof law of 1891. the principle as simple; handguns could be marketed only when they had been tested in an official proof institute. So the Crown N or Nitro proof was applied to these commercial gun. Prior to 1928 the Dutch proofed the deliveries with the Crown W (Queen Wilhelmina) but after 1928 accepted the German proofing.

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.

ABOVE: (A) German Nitro Proof, (B) Geladen (Loaded on both sides); (C) Serial # on the short sear; (D) Down Rust - Only on Dutch Navy Lugers, (E) the serial number on the bottom of the barrel.

Although fitted with the stock lug the stocks were never adopted for the M-1 designated Dutch Navy Pistols. In common with the Army issued pistols the GELADEN (Loaded) was stamped on both sides of the extractor. Information gathered from "The Dutch Parabellum" by Martens and de Vries.


Above the two digits of the serial number appear on the 1st toggle and back of the 2nd toggle. Below the hold open is installed but their are no proofs on the inside of the receiver or in the locking well, not a military style and further evidence they were drawn from commercial DWM stocks.



For the Dutch Collector this is the beginning gun when the initial order was pulled from the commercial stock gun, the Rust (Safety) was still in the 'up' position, (Prior to the German 1908 model). The walnut grips had the original wide grip, small diamond design and other that the DWM and the Nitro proof there are no other marks on the gun. It is truly one of the originals.


The inside of the Parabellum is in Very Good condition where the wood of the grips make contact with the metal; although in a salt water service the inside is still in excellent shape considering the tropical climate that these guns were deployed in.

Above: The toggle in full recoil with the straight back of the DWM frame and the blank rear main axel pin. The underside of the locking lever and side plate display the last two digits of the serial number.

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

To durther define the Navy pistols, all Army model 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.

This 1928 Dutch 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 limited early examples of the Dutch Navy variation. While most of the Dutch only survived in extremely worn condition by virtue of their employment, 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.

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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