1928 Simson Luger

1927 Simson

This is a 1928 Simson & Co., Luger made for the German Military. It is 9mm with a 4" barrel length and is fantastically proofed. This Parabellum has all matching serial numbers to include matching, original grips. Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "Geladen." The barrel is numbered and proofed and matches the frame. (1942)

1927 Simson Luger

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. Before your purchase please read Legal for Conditions of Sale. Thank you for your cooperation.

Simson & Co., were the designated sole producers of the Parabellum after WWI. Simson began producing Lugers for the Weimar Republic from April 1, 1924 until March 31, 1934. Hence the 1925-1926 chamber dates. Some people write that dated Simpsons' are all re-works; others indicate that after the initial supply of parts from Erfurt were expended Simson built their own. No Simson worker nor documentation has survived to verify all the antidotal history, so we have to surmise most of our information from collective inspections of various guns attributed to Simson and their multitude of identifying proofs.

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The recent book by Edward Tinker and Graham Johnson, The Simson Luger has attempted to document by profusely illustrating the development of the Simson Luger and provides extensive research into this most prized collector Parabellum. This is a marvelous gun to study for all the proofs it provides.


This Simson has all the Eagle/6 Simson 1st & 2nd proofs plus Weimar acceptance marks. There are several indications this was a Parabellum made from both Erfurt parts and Simson produced parts. The first toggle link is marked with the Simson & C^o SUHL monogram and the square toggle link vs. the beveled edges of DWM manufacture gives us note of manufacturor. The lower grip area also has the reduced toe on the front of the frame; which was reduced in the Erfurt & Simson production.

The serial number appears on the front of the frame, on the left side of the receiver, under the barrel and the last two digits on most small parts. All serials match including the magazine that is correct with all proofs. There are inspector marks all over the weapon in a variety of eagle 6 stamps. Most prominent is the Eagle 6 Simpson Military First Inspection proof. Proof marks are well struck and clearly visible.

This Simson is truly minty with the Eagle 6 proof marks covering all the small parts of the gun including the usual locations on the frame and receiver.

All the serial numbers are in the military exposed locations on the outside of the locking lever and side plate, clearly visible.

Worth noting are the two proofs on the bottom of the frame at the magazine and the Eagle 6 proof on the bottom of the thumb safety.

The tale remains in the proofs. Note above the 1st and 2nd Military proofs, and then the Weimar (Dove of Peace) final acceptance proof; all finely struck and good examples. The final acceptance stamp also appears on the front toggle. The Weimar acceptance Eagle; multiple serial numbers and Weimar proof on the breechblock.

Note the proof on the top of the trigger and the magazine release. Simson was not to be upstaged by the proofing of their presumed predecessor the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt. With a plethora of proof marks in both Stage I and Stage II throughout the gun on all the parts is truly amazing.

Simson & Co., manufactured Lugers for the German Military from 1925 to 1934 in Suhl Germany. This weapon shows no evidence of being a re-work or just assembled by Simson from DWM or Erfurt parts. As with most Lugers, the tale of the gun is in its proofs and these Simson proofs place it as a newly manufactured gun made on or after 1928-29.


Simson Luger by Tinker & Johnson list known serial number on Page 94 of their 2007 book, Simson Lugers, in which this example is not recorded. This Luger has been well cared for over the years and properly stored in a private collection. It shows the care and preservation that can bring one of these rare guns to us today in minty condition. Truly a wonderful find for the Simson collector. You can see the proof on the right screw and the excellent conditions of the grips.

Inside the Parabellum is the hold-open. This device is mortised into the right (top above) side of the frame and is designed to be raised by the follower of the empty magazine to stop the slide from moving forward when the magazine is empty. Above you can see the last two digits of the serial number (38) and the Eagle 6.

Above Left: At the bottom of the frame, under the stock lug are two Eagle 6 proofs. Only on the Simson produced Parabellum do you find these proofs. Above Right: Inside the grips are the last two digits of the serial number.

Starting under the barrel is a four digit serial number in the three digit gauge number. On the side of the frame is again the four digit serial number and on the locking lever the last two digits "76" appear along with the Eagle 6 which also can be seen on the side plate. Above and to the right of the side plate the seer is numbered as along with the seer step. What a fantastically well-preserved gun.

In the above picture you can see the "exposed" four digit serial number, the exact caliber (gauge marking 8.82mm), and the 1st Military parts proof on the front trigger guard and on the locking bolt lever. The barrel reveals the serial number and gauge markings while the frame has both the early Stage I & II proofs. On the right the matching magazine has the Eagle 6 proof while the bottom of the rear frame has two E/6 proofs plus Eagle 6 on the spline.

Simson Serial Numbering ran from 1 to below 600 on "1925" dated Simson guns and below 700 for the "1926" dated guns. Simson Parabellum after serial number 700 were undated and bore two-line Simson toggle up to approximately 10,000 when the "S" Code toggle was introduced in 1934. There are no records indicating the annual delivery of Lugers to the Reichswehr, however extrapolation would put production at around 1928-29.The Luger has the short sear and no sear safety; since Simson made no civilian weapons this was a military intended manufacturer.

The Simson Luger association was a by-product of the Treaty of Versailles. Then as the only producer of Lugers, Simson inherited (bought?) all the parts, dies and equipment of the Erfurt Arsenal after the First World War. Simson was reluctant when selected to be the only producer recognized to produce the Parabellum. Jeanette Simson (1847-1926) who was a senior partner of the firm, had lost her brother-in-law in the 1870 Franco-Prussian war was strongly opposed to the production of any instruments of war.


The Simson early contract ran from 1923 to be renewed annually which mostly covered the re-work of military pistols, The 1925 contract with the Reichswehrministerium (*Rw.M*) 1934 ending with the "S" marked toggle code. There were only approximately 12,000 Simson P-08's produced on this contract with the numbering beginning in 1925 with 1 to approximately 2000a.

Above Left: On the 2nd toggle is the Eagle 6 proof. On the top of the thumb safety is the last two digits of the serial number and [Above Right] on the bottom of the thumb safety is the Eagle 6 proof. .


Close up of the left proofs. One can spend hours finding every detailed part proofed. Here we can see the breach block with the last two numbers of the serial number plus the Weimar Dove of Peace, from the first toggle link is the Simpson logo with the last two digits of the serial number and on the second toggle link one can see the Eagle 6 proof marked in the last two digits of the serial number on the rear of the toggle.

Again the top of the rear toggle there is the Eagle 6 and on the first toggle one can see the Simpson logo with the last two digits of the serial number. The breach block has additional Eagle six forward of the retaining pin.

There are no records indicating the annual delivery of Lugers to the Reichswehr, however extrapolation would put production at around 1928-29. Little signs do pop up; above is the firing pin but it is not vented telling us that it was produced before 1933.

When Adolph Hitler became Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933 the Suhl manufacturers led by Fritz Walther brought to the German Government the accusation that Simson was profiteering from its advantage as the sole producer of the Luger. While Simson won in the Court of Audit it was then alleged that they were bribing government officials. In 1934 HwaA transferred the contract from Simson to Mauser. In 1933-34 the company was forced to convert to a limited partnership "Berlin-Suhler Waffen und Fahreugwerke, Simson & Co", with government trustees having a final say in the business. Simson & Mayers were prepared to refute this but a considerable bond was required which they jumped to Switzerland in 1936 and came to the US.

The small proofs follow the pattern of the early Erfurt and the 1910 order for proof marks. It is difficult to date the Simson since the production records have not revealed themselves.

The Parabellum in full recoil reveals the rear main axel pin is serial numbered with the last two digits of the serial number. In 1932 the Reichswehrministerium issued an order that the rear main axel pin be serial numbered to the gun. Collectors by extrapolation of the number of Simson's produced and average production per month put this in the 1928-29 production. An enigma that may never be resolved.

Simson Serial Numbering ran from 1 to below 600 on "1925" dated Simson guns and below 700 for the "1926" dated guns. Simson Parabellum after serial number 700 were undated and bore two-line Simson toggle up to approximately 10000 when the "S" Code toggle was introduced in 1934.

Viewed at this angle one can see the squareness of the Simson first toggle link. When production began the edges of the toggle link were rounded suggesting the use of Erfurt produced toggles. There was no functionality to the radius on the toggle other than beauty and Simson wasn't being paid for beauty so that part of the machining of the toggle was squared. Also seen on the right side of the breach block are the two Eagle 6 proofs.

The inside is clean and well cared for over the years. The inside of the gun shows us a very clean and well cared for Luger. Serial numbers on the trigger sear stop, side plate and receiver. We can also see the Weimar "Dove of Peace" proof on the breach block. This gun is immaculate under the grips, doesn't appear to have been excessively fired contributing to the fine condition of the barrel.

Simson's, due to their limited production and fine quality have become recognized for their investment value by collectors much like the Krieghoff. If one is to have any Simson in their collection this would be the one. If you are a Simson collector you would know how difficult it is to find one of these late production undated models in this fine of condition. This Luger has been cared for over 89 years now. It is looking for a good home.

It is entirely subjective to give any Luger a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few Lugers 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 need additional pictures to complete your buying decisions then direct Questions to: josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

It is difficult to determine the actual date of production. We know from the serial number of the later guns (1888a known). Without the rear main axel pin being numbered which was ordered in 1932 and implemented in 1933 puts that gun at the latest a 1928-29 model. Taken over by the German Government not much of the documentation remained and Suhl was in the Soviet Zone after the war and they stole and removed everything and anything they suspected of value.

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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