1928 Vickers Ltd.

1911 Dutch Contract

Known as the M11 by the Dutch first contract consummated in 1911 with DWM. Basically a 1906 Parabellum with the "RUST" Dutch "Safe", double-sided 'GELADEN' on the extractor and usually the Javanese-grips were significantly courser than the DWM made at the Geweermakersschool in Bavaria. These 'commercial type' 1906 models were adopted to the Dutch requirements and finally assembled by DWM (1740)

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.


Note these are short framed, long-seared '06 models with the 9mm barrel with a 4" (100mm) barrel. Proof marks include the British Proofs under the barrel and the Dutch acceptance of Queen Wilhelmena. These Parabellums were originally shipped "in the white" without the grips and they were blued and grips made and installed by the Dutch in the East Indies.

The Serial number appears on the front of the frame and under the barrel. The last two digits appear at the bottom of the side plate and locking lever, inside on the trigger, the grip safety and other small parts.

DWM delivered exactly 4181 of these M11 pistols prior to World War I, and for series: 1391 early in 1912, 750 in August 1912, 1290 in December 1913 and 750 in May 1914. Adding the years to reach the serial number of this gun places the math in 1913.

Of those shipped prior to WWI, six Luger’s were sent to the Netherlands to be used at the training Institute for Indonesian soldiers, 3000 were meant as a replacement for revolvers, and 1175 were supplied to officers and NCO’s.

Queen Wilhelmina: Although the Netherlands remained neutral during World War I sizeable German investments in the Dutch economy combined with a large trading partnership in goods forced the United Kingdom to blockade the Dutch ports in an attempt to weaken the German The Dutch government traded with Germany in response. German soldiers were given for their rations before an assault. Wilhemina was a 'soldier's queen', being a woman, she could not be Supreme Commander, but she nevertheless used every opportunity she had to inspect her forces. On many occasions she appeared without notice, wishing to see the reality, not a prepared show. She loved her soldiers, but was very unhappy with most of her governments, which used the military as a constant source for budget-cutting. Wilhelmina wanted a small, but well trained and equipped army. However, this was far from the reality. In the war, she felt she was a "Queen-On-Guard." She was always wary of a attack, especially in the beginning. However, violation of Dutch territorial sovereignty came by both Britain and the United States, who, with the blockade, captured many Dutch trade cargo ships in an attempt to disrupt the German war effort. This led to increased tensions between the Netherlands and the Allied forces.

On the first toggle and the absence of the DWM characteristic serial numbering on the extractor and first toggle. The last two digits of the serial #2239 appears on the back of the rear toggle.

The barrel is dated 1927 and bears the "GS" proof of the (GS) Geweermakers School. This indicates that either the gun was placed in use in 1927 or the barrel was replaced in 1927 while in service in Indonesia in 1927. There are no records to tell us the story of this gun, all lost in World War II. Due to the tropical conditions in which they were used the Parabellum was scheduled for a factory rebuild every six or seven years.

The overall condition of this Luger is excellent. Sharp edges and clear proofs render this a very rare Parabellum compared with the standard re-blued firearms of the Dutch East Indies. Their process was known as "browning" from the tint of the salts.

The Luger in full recoil showing the long sear which denotes this model with the "RUST" pointed upwards.

The diamond grips of the (GS) Geweermakers School are usually more deeply and larger cut. These almost appear as the German produced diamond pattern but they are longer as seen below.

All the pistols of this order arrived with the Crown "W"; on the serial number guns 1 to 2141 the proof mark was on the right side and on the left side for all the remaining so proofed. In 1919 the Dutch changed their unit marking protocol from the back above the lanyard loop to the side in front of the trigger guard and then again in 1937 came the brass plate which most people are familiar with that used a code for the units. 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. They were not applied to Officer's Parabellums.


Most of the Dutch East or West Indies were refinished before or during the war. The climate was severe on most of these weapons. However this Parabellum still has a sharp barrel band, no rounding over on the side rails and the definition on the bolt and rear toggle are remarkable. The small parts still showing the nitrate bluing are outstanding..

The grips are the traditional DWM diamond pattern; this is unusual as most grips found on these early guns have been replaced in Indonesia by grips marked with the "GS" of the

One of the characteristics of the Dutch Parabellums was the requirement of the Dutch Government that the "Geladen" or 'Loaded' should appear on both side of the extractor. Here we can clearly see the original extractor left & right with markings.

The standard "V" notch rear sight is seen above the serial number on the rear toggle.

Continuing to examine this variation as a 'Commercial' gun we see the right hand side of the firing chamber is not proofed as most military guns. The left side doesn't reflect the serial number but the Crown W (Queen Wilhelmina). Only exactly 4181 "Dutch 1906" contract guns ever existed and these were shipped prior to WWI to Dutch East Indies, some surviving WWII and of those the ones making it to the US can be counted rather quickly.

The Dutch pistols, especially the Vickers M11 which were sent to the Dutch East Indies suffered from the ravages of the damp weather and jungle conditions. It is very difficult for the purist collector, who doesn't want a gun that was re-blued either in Europe or the East Indies. The quality of work, if this Luger was restored must have been done in Europe. The grip safety has the last two digits of the serial number. The grip safety requires the safety to be 'up' therefore the direction of the "Rust" arrow.

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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