1906 DWM Swiss Cross

1906 DWM Swiss Cross SOLD

This is a Swiss Model 1906 manufactured by DWM at their factory in Berlin for Swiss military use. Numbering on the 06 DWM Swiss began at 5001 in 1906 with 600 guns delivered. This puts this Luger into mid-1908 for presentation.

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 standard DWM for the early production models and make this a very handsome model for the collector. (1945)

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.


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 Vogolsang (Swiss Cross over the V).

All 7.65mm Lugers have four-groove rifling with a right-hand twist of one turn in 250mm. The inside of this barrel is very strong with still shiny finish.

The Swiss retained the wide grip of the 1900 model on their produced Lugers. Above you can see the standard trigger guard and the concealed numbers of the small parts. This was the heyday of the craftsmanship on the Swiss Parabellums.

The model 1906 DWM began production in 1906 and officially ended with Serial # 15215 in 1914. This all matching gun is the classic '06 model produced by the Germans for the Swiss to their exacting standards and was built in mid 1908. The serial number on the frame matches the barrel and the bottom of the Swiss magazine is blank with the deorative discs on the insides.

In 1898 Georg Luger returned with the first of the Borchardt-Lugers (two were thought to be submitted.) The Swiss were truly impressed by the rapid fire of the Luger with hardly a misfire. Another trial was held in 1899. Again the Swiss were impressed and ordered 20 of these pistols for extensive field testing asking Georg Luger to lighten the pistol. For the Trials of 1899 the Georg Luger's 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.


The nice clean top of the early commerical parabellum with the beautiful Cross in Sunburst design over the chamber and no markings on the top of the extractor, toggle links.

On the 1900 initial Swiss Contract the Swiss Cross and Sunburst was engraved on the gun as one could see a small punch divot in the center of the cross. After those the emblem was roll stamped above the chamber. The Swiss were very proud of this emblem and the Germans found it such a unique tool that they copied it on many of the contract guns.

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 as was Swiss Cross on the parts. All the Parabellums were shipped to Bern where they were proofed and accepted. Note the three digit numbers on the rear toggle, a sign of the very early produced Luger Pistole.

The Swiss retained the wide grip of the 1900 model on their produced Lugers. 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.

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.


The Swiss retained the wide grip of the 1900 model on their produced Lugers. The military proof of the V over the Swiss Cross was the proof of military acceptance (Below). 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.

The small Swiss Cross appears 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.

ABOVE RIGHT: Under the thumb safety the metal is polished to indicate safe with the thumb safety up. This safe position was changed for the miliary gun in 1904 to enable a more intuitive arming of the gun. Note the briliance of the straw blueing. Swiss guns were brought into the factory for refinishing before they were sold to either the military bearer or to the civilian market where the gun was marked "P"rivat or Private ownership.

This variation of the Swiss Military features 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.

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.


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.

The DWM monogram markings appears 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.

ABOVE RIGHT: 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 above the polished thumb safety which in '06 was still thumb up for safety and the polished area meant it was "safe".

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.

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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