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This is a Swiss Model 1906 manufactured by the Swiss at their factory in Bern Switzerland For their military use. Numbering on the 06 W+F began at 15216 in 1918 and this puts this Luger into mid-1924. This is a 7.65mm caliber with a 120mm (4 3/4") barrel. The all matching gun is proofed with the Swiss Cross and the acceptance mark of Colonel Vogelsang. The grips are distinctive of the early production models and make this a very handsome model for the collector. The gun comes with a military holster. (1893) |
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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. |
Georg Luger presented his modified Borchardt-Luger to the Swiss in 1898 for their trials. The Borchardt-Luger hardly had a misfire or jam and showed itself the most accurate weapon. For the Trials of 1899 the Georg Luger submission had the thumb safety and from appearances more closely resembled what we know today. Following more testing the Swiss ordered 5,000 Parabellums on May 4, 1900 for their military use. |
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This is an early example of the long frame with a long sear in the manner of the early 1906 models. The last two digits of the serial numbers match on the small parts but they are placed in the concealed manner as in the commercial versions. The all matching gun is proofed with the Swiss Cross and the acceptance mark of Colonel Mühlemann (Swiss Cross over the M). |
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The Swiss retained the wide grip of the 1900 model on their produced Lugers. It was also common practice to cut the rear sight into a 'U' as opposed to the "V" as the standard rear sight. Above you can see the wide trigger guard and the concealed numbers of the small parts. This was the heyday of the craftsmanship on the Swiss Parabellums. |
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Above the fine diamond grips with the border added to the distinctive Swiss Lugers and you can also see the Swiss Cross Military Proof on the receiver. Below the top of the Luger is clean of numbers and gives it a real handsome look. |
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This picture reveals the Geladen on the extractor which was controversial since the Swiss speak three different languages and it was never decided which to use so the German was kept. You can also see the polished thumb safety which in '06 was still thumb up for safety and the polished area meant it was "safe". |
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In 1905 when DWM introduced the new model (an upgrade from the 1900) with the new extractor, new main spring, modified toggle grips and locking mechanism, the addition of "Gesichert" and a shorter barrel (118mm) the Swiss accepted some but not all the changes of DWM for their '06. They wanted to keep the 120mm barrel, they wanted to keep the 7.65mm, and they didn't want the German word for safety when they were a three language country. |
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| This variation of the Swiss Bern featured the full sized grip safety that extended across the back strap. DWM model 1906 used the narrower grip safety while the Swiss retained the larger. The lanyard loop appears under the rear toggle and was frequently used by the Swiss for grip retention while skiing. | |
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| The Swiss prided themselves as marksman and the front sight was adjuster per shoot. The rear sight is the standard "v" while some shooters chose to cut out the bottom into a "u" configuration this one is left intact. | |
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The Bern monogram markings appear on the 1st toggle link and the extractor is marked 'Geladen' (Loaded). Most of these Swiss variations were done in 120mm barrel with the long frame. The 7.65mm were preferred by the Europeans as a very accurate round and while some of the border police carried a 9mm the vast majority of the Swiss Lugers will be found in the .30 Cal Luger or 7.65mm. |
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| The model 1906 W+F began production in 1918 and officially ended with Serial # 33089 in 1933. This all matching gun is the classic '06 model produced by the Swiss to their exacting standards and was built in mid 1924. | |
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| The Swiss were meticulous when marking and caring for their weapons. When ever a Parabellum changed hands or was released from service it was sent back to the factory and re-inspected and refinished. There is no "P" code (Privat) or export markings. This weapon probably belonged to an officer and was kept in a high state of maintenance. | |
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| The Swiss are famous for their shooting clubs and sporting events using firearms. They were confident in the 7.65mm round for its accuracy and penetrating power and stuck with this cartridge throughout the use of the Parabellum although flirting with 9mm variations. | |
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| The Swiss retained the wide grip of the 1900 model on their produced Lugers. It was also common practice to cut the rear sight into a 'U' as opposed to the "V" as the standard rear sight. The military proof of the V over the Swiss Cross was the proof of military acceptance. When the Luger was retired from the military they were brought back to the factory and refurbished so they could be sold to either the former owner or on the commercial market. | |
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| This is an early holster with the early connectors that are very hard to find. The rings were used for their ski troops to swing the gun into action without reaching for the belt. | |
This required DWM to produce a different gun for the Swiss and by 1914 the 1st World War was creating a massive demand on the German armaments industry with the Swiss orders falling behind. The Swiss decided to produce their own weapons and got a license from DWM for the production in the Bern plant. |
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A very clean and cared for Luger. The Swiss continue to cherish their weapons and understand the responsibility of gun ownership and defense of their nation. Although remaining Neutral in past wars they offered a very formidable defense of their nation in the very middle of Europe. This Luger is looking for another good home. A very unique piece with all the known characteristics of the period guns that it represents this is very nice gun for the advanced Swiss collector. |
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The small Swiss Crosses
appear on the frame, barrel and breech block. The inside of this
gun is clean and reflects the care taken by the Swiss soldiers for their
weapons. The grip safety is marked with the last three digits of
the serial number and the "strawed" parts appear to have been refreshed
when the Luger was re-worked at the factory to convert it to private use
from the military.
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Below: DWM and Switzerland held a lot of joint interests and stock in each other companies. When the production of Lugers began DWM could not keep up with the demand for orders and so a negotiated licensing was undertaken by the Bern Factory and DWM and Bern began to produce the Luger. Up to that time some of the models were sent from DWM to Bern "in the white" for final proofing and bluing. |
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| Few guns are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder. 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. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. This Luger is identified as a curio and can be sent directly to C&R licensees and above. California eligible. If you have any questions about this or any of our Lugers email josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com. | |
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The bordered grips on these early Swiss Berns are just beautiful. Clean cut and smooth borders with fine diamond inlaid grips only accept this minty presentation of the Swiss made Parabellum. |
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The Swiss are known as devotees of the Luger from the early Borchardt up through the 1949 World Shooting Championships. When the DWM factory couldn't keep up with the demand they became licensed to build the Parabellum outside of Germany. Only the Bern plant and the Vickers (and there is a question of they actually manufactured the guns) were made outside of Germany. This is a really nice piece of history for the military collector and it comes with some fine leather for it's day. |
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This is a magnificent example of the Swiss early production of '06 model Luger that was made by the Swiss for their military and issued with a holster and both the belt loops for the ski troops. We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and do not warrant the availability of any firearm that does not have a physical deposit. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. Call for availability Any questions or request for additional pictures email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com |
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