1906 Swiss Waffenfabrik Bern

1906 Swiss Waffenfabrik Bern

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 late 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 Mühlemann. The grips are distinctive of the early production models and make this a very handsome model for the collector. (1923)

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 1897 Georg Luger personally demonstrated the Borchardt automatic pistol to the Swiss which was not warmly received. The conclusion of the Swiss Kriegamaterialverwaltung was that the Borchardt was too big, had poor balance and was too complex. Again in 1898 Georg Luger presented his modified Borchardt-Luger to the Swiss for their trials. The Borchardt-Luger hardly had a misfire or jam and showed itself the most accurate weapon. However, the 7.65mm cartridge was an overwhelming success for the Swiss.


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).

The grips are distinctive of the early production models and make this a very handsome model for the collector. The Swiss retained the wide grip of the 1900 model on their produced Lugers. The military proof of the "M" over the Swiss Cross was the proof of military acceptance, began in 1913.

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. 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.

Above Left: The Swiss numbered their Parabellum sequentially from the 1st contract guns in 1900 [We have serial #8 for sale - See Swiss Lugers]. So this pictures of under the barrel shows you that this Luger is the 23, 940th to be accepted by the Swiss. All the numbering was in the concealed manner, i.e., on the bottom of the side place, inside on the trigger. Above Right: The magazines were sporadically numbered by the Swiss with this one, "40" showing the last two digits of the serial number.

In 1906 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.

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.


Over the years these 1906 Models appeared with and without the bordered grips. While this is a 1906 Model of the Parabellum it was delivered in 1913 and the grips are bordered. Other Swiss "Bern's" in the 1906 Model may or may not have the bordered grip. However it is a handsome addition to the gun and being a bit wider makes it a pleasant grip.

Above Left: One can see the extractor in the Up position indicating that the gun is loaded [GELADEN]. Both visually and tacitly this was an early development of DWM which the concept was copied to this date. Above Right: With the gun in full recoil once can see the rear main axel pin and the Swiss Geneva Cross on the breach block.

Under the license from DWM, without the Swiss Ben toggle, these Parabellum would be commonly accepted for a DWM manufactured Pistole to the casual observer.

The Swiss used a different font somewhat larger than DWM and it was a variation of the script font used at that time. On the rear of the frame under the toggle one can see the small indentation the toggle made on the frame. This is a sign the gun had been fired and is one of the tell-tales signs of restoration if the gun is lacking that mark. It was also common practice to cut the rear sight into a 'U' as opposed to the "V" as the standard rear sight.

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. 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.

Fred Datig in his book The Swiss Variations states that the "Cross in Sunburst: will show up indiscriminately on Swiss military and civilian models, the "Cross in Shield" will only be on ordinance models as if to state these were Swiss Armée only Parabellum. It is also widely held that military weapons upon ones discharge from the obligatory citizens service in the military were taken back to the factory and refurbished, then offered to that citizen at a very reduced price. Most Swiss models found are in excellent condition which supports that theory.


The inside of the gun is as clean as the outside with very minor wear over the years. The grip safety display three numbers from the serial number which is a characteristic of the Swiss Bern.

Above the fine diamond grips with the border added to the distinctive Swiss Lugers and you can also see the Geneva Cross on the barrel and the Swiss Cross Military Proof on the receiver; Cross over "M".


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.

In 1909 the Swiss received a reported 2,500 Parabellums. DWM sent to Waffenfabrik Bern initially those serial numbered 10001 to 12000. These weapons were sent already finished and accepted by the Swiss Inspector in Berlin. These numbers under close examination were just a bit smaller than the Swiss numbering punches. These so numbered did not have the military acceptance stamp of Major Vogelsang while those numbered before 10001 and after 12000 bear his acceptance stamp.

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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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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