1900 DWM "GL" Presentation

1900 DWM "GL" Presentation SOLD

677

This is a 1900 first production Parabellum in 7.65mm, with a 120mm barrel, reinforced rear sight, slash cut dished toggles, Type I thumb safety with no stock lug, the long frame, 1900 standard profile on the 1st toggle link and a flat set rear toggle cumulated with the intertwined GL on the rear of the toggle toggle. To put a crown on this jewel the serial number is "14" (1964)

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.

With the 1897 Swiss Trials of the C93 Borchardt not going well for the new company DWM (formed in late 1896) for unhandy size and weight plus the unwieldy shape of the Borchardt, Hugo Borchardt was presented the recommendations of the Swiss and turned them down. It then fell to Georg Luger to re-design this amazing "Winchester-Maxim" action into the world's most recognized handgun and he only had a few years to do this.

Luger's "Neukonstruktion" was an intricate and often undocumented path of development, testing, modifications and more testing interwoven with a trail of patents as Luger sought to protect and sometime hide his latest designs. In April 1898 Luger had a wooden working model and in July 1888 a firing model was produced with the first testing in September 1888. So appeared the 55° grip with the internal return spring, the toggles directly at the central pivot point, the more balanced pistol we have come to know as the "Luger" in July 1898.


The very epitome of the classic Parabellum, the very clean lines, individually hand carved grips and flat top toggle arrangement makes this GL the center piece of any collection.


The trigger guard is the wide 14.8mm. The magazine is relieved with a blank bottom. The serial number appears under the barrel, in front of the frame and on the bottom of the locking lug and side plate.

The Grips are an unusual pattern from the standard bordered grips of the Swiss Trials. These grips were handmade and an obvious conclusion with the numbering and polish this Parabellum demonstrates, along with the GL icon, is that it was a presentation gun delivered to someone from the early production run.

The Swiss Trials of 1899 brought forth the Parabellum in its first public appearance in a latter production configuration. The Swiss identified serial #5 and another unknown serial number as submissions from DWM. This was obviously not the eighth gun manufactured by Georg Luger and number sequences seem to change per event or contract with the first Swiss purchase in 1900 being numbered '01'.


The right side shows the clean lines and the beauty of the pencill thin barrell, the original toggle latch that was designed to hold the toggle down the the firing phase of cycling. The early wrapped metal magazine was shiny with the wood bottom pinned to the sleeve which contained a coil spring.

Above Left: Under the barrel and on the front of the frame the serial number "14" appears in what was the beginning of the traditional numbering pattern. There is also a small heraldic shield said to be a DWM proof thatis seen on the outside of the Luger only on the very early models. This DWM "shield" can sometimes be found in the locking lever well in later pieces. Above Right: The bottom of this early magazine is blank as were all the commercial Parabellums

On the side of the breech block but concealed by the frame is the serial number "14" marking this very early Parabellum.

Note how the concealed serial numbering of the parts continued with both the first and second toggle link are marked on the underside with "14" the serial number of the gun. Marking the rear toggle underneath gave room for the Georg Luger intertwined initials "GL" on the rear toggle.

Above you can see the two-step button magazine which was used with the early relieved frame, the very narrow grip safety, the un-reinforced rear site and the absence of any stock lug.


Again we can see the clean lines of the early Parabellum with no proofs or numbering on the 14th production gun. The rear toggle lies flush with the frame and the 1st toggle has the DWM logo intertwined on the distinctive beveled toggle.

The early DWM magazines were steel rolled and crimped with wooden bottoms, no serial numbers and with the larger follower button that was diced.

Above Left: The flat diced thumb safety is known as the Type 1 by collectors because it is the very first model used by DWM. These are very rare to find present day. Above Right: The sear safety cannot permit the safety being engages in full recoil. This was corrected in 1916 by Georg Luger by shortening the sear stop to permit the gun to be loaded on safe.

Above Left: The front of the gun has the single sight blade set for 50 meters and the clear serial "14" number on front of the frame. Above Right: The intertwined GL on the back of the 2nd toggle is the reported tell-tale sign that Georg Luger personally worked on or supervised this particular Parabellum. Coveted by collectors the world over, having on GL in your collection brings you into a small group of people.

This is a magnificent example of the early Parabellum and the center piece of any collection.

Old model characteristics include the low serial number with the early DWM proof above the barrel serial number. This was a transitional before the 10,000 series was reach and the prototypes were machined and sent as "B" suffixed for testing. The blank bottom magazine, log frame (below) with the dished checkered toggles, a serial number on the opposite side of the magazine release and the smaller grip safety. The front sight is first production also found on the early Swiss trial guns.


Simply observe one of the most recognized hand guns in the world, serial #14 from the very beginning of the 1900 production guns and with th "GL" on the rear toggle.

Above Left: Hidden under th locking lever and side plate the serial number maintains the extremely clean line of the early Luger. Above Right: With the side plate rmoved you can see the "14" serial number on the trigger.

Above Right: The Type I thumb safety has the mortised position for the thumb safety or what was referred to early in the development of the Parabellum as safety lock. The early marking did not leave any swirl marks in the "ears" of the frame, (also cited in the Swiss 2nd pattern), and contributed to these early guns that have a beauty of their own.

On the rear toggle is the "V" sight and the initials of Georg Luger on the rear toggle. It is said that only those guns that Georg Luger personally worked on received his initials but we have seen them on several presentation guns over the years.

Above/Right: At the bottom of the barrel (A) and on the receiver (B) is the early DWM stamp of what appears to be a shield. Beneath that is a four ring mark denoting the steel manufacturer. At "C" what was perceived as a "flaming bomb" but was in fact a circle with three prongs (withdrawn in August 1905) which was another DWM commercial proof whose exact meaning is lost to time. At "D" we ahave the two digit serial number #14 which makes this one of the first produced Parabellums. A Collector's Treasure!

The serial number of the gun appears on the front of the gun, the bottom of the barrel and side plate and locking lever. There is an absence of markings which later distinguished the 1900 production model as proofs were added.

The intertwined GL on the back of the 2nd toggle is the reported tell-tale sign that Georg Luger personally worked on or handled this particular Parabellum. Coveted by collectors the world over, having on GL in your collection brings you into a small group of people.


With the long frame, the side plate and the grip removed you can see the interior of the Parabellum and see it has very lite use and is well preserved for a 117 year old gun. Also one can see the grip safety with the interior marked with the "14" serial number.

Above Left: The right dished toggle has a spring loaded lever that when closed over the extened latch welded into the frame holds the breech closed until firing whn the explosive bullet exacts a rearward movement of the toggle into the built-in ramp to the rear that breaks open the toggle and begins the extraction/ejection phase of the shooting cycle. Above Right: The early prototype and some Swiss trial guns had a hatched type checkering on the toggle. The production Parabellums used the groove as above and the very early one the flat thumb safety with the checkered pattern.

The firing pin is the very early type with a flat top. The side plate has no interior marks and the sear bar has a square top.

The early presentation models were very clean with any markings to the underside so the Parabellum showed the clean lines that created this clasic gun, known throughout the world.

These are hand made gripd from walnut and are finely marbled from select stock.

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.

The Recoil Spring was the most inherent weakness of the "Old Model" (1900) Luger. This spring was of two-piece leaf flat construction riveted together near the upper portion. Although very smooth in action, this type of spring, in general firearms use since their inception in lock works, was prone to lose its "set" and become weak in use, and was susceptible to breaking. Also, with this type of spring, the remaining spring force is greatly lessened as the flexed spring nears its relaxed or restored position.

This Early Production DWM 1900 "GL" Georg Luger presentatio is in very good - excellent condition. This 7.65mm Parabellum show minimal handling and a strong shiny barrel. This gun maybe sold before being posted as such on the internet. Email any questions to josef@phoenicinvestmentarms.com. This gun is SOLD.

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.

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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