1906 Swiss Shield & Cross Rig


This Parabellum is 7.65mm which was the preferred caliber for accuracy at that time. It has the 120mm barrel insisted by the Swiss. (Standard DWM manufacture was 118mm). The extractor was marked "Geladen." and the thumb safety was buffed. Switzerland is multi-lingual and it was considered non-politic to issue the weapons with the German "Gesichert" on the safety.


This example has all matching serial numbers and is of the long frame without the stock lug and it has matching walnut grips. The first toggle link is marked with the DWM monogram, and there is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link. Also it has the Swiss "plugged" magazine characteristic of the Swiss military Parabellum. *See Kenyon - Lugers at Random, Page 128*

The serial numbers were applied in the "commercial" manner or hidden on the Swiss contracts. Locating at the bottom of the Locking Lever and Side Plate. Above the contract series from 5000-15215 is seen on the front of the frame and under the barrel (this one 12953 within the known series). The bottom of the magazine is blank and represents the distinctive original magazines for the early Swiss.


When the Swiss released their weapons from military service they were sent back to the Bern Factory and reconditioned so it is not unusual to find very clean examples.

The serial numbers are all matching and "hidden". When held under a white light one can see the thin platina of rust which has developed over the 111 years and tells us the originality of the finish. Sometimes one must hold the weapon at an angle to see this brown hue. Polishing is clear under the thumb safety.


The inside of the Parabellum is extremely clean with the axel pins fire blued and the last two digits of the serial number on the side of the grip safety. One can also see the long sear still evident.

Above Left: Here one can see a close up of the Luger in full recoil. Above Right: One of the early charactics of the Swiss series was the use of three digit serial numbers on the stop lug and rear toggle.

The magazine is clean and unnumbered (correct) for the gun. While some call this the Swiss magazine it appears earlier than just the Swiss Lugers. However the Swiss liked it and adopted it on most of their Parabellum and the name has stuck.


While rare is overused in the Luger world this variation in this fine condition can be labeled scarce just from the few guns actually produced by DWM while they were also producing weapons for the conversion of the German army. With the completion of this order in 1914 (700 estimated) DWM was unable to fill the next order and the Bern Factory began gearing up to product the Parabellum under license.

It is unknown the evolution of the Swiss magazines with the disc. They serve no purpose but to enhance the beauty of the gun. The sleeve is a silver metal that is rolled around formed bar and crimped along the side then top and bottom. These had the stanard follower installed and they were slid to where the knob when inserted was available from the opposite side and then peened. Insert the coiled spring with the cap, the magazine bottom and pin and it was ready.

On the back of frame is the Swiss Cross where the Swiss inspected the Parabellum at the Bern factory and stamped it. Sometimes the iunspections were done in Berlin at DWM but the late guns were during a time DWM was tooling up for the 1908 military contract.


This is a good clean example of the 06 Swiss. It has approximately 98.9% deep blue and 98% straw blued parts. The bore is shiny with only very minor evidence of characteristic pitting from corrosive primers used in those days. No import markings nor Swiss release stampings or dates. Just a very clean example of the very early Shield and Cross.

With the change to the Cross and Shield incorporating the changes and advances made in the Parabellum the term "New Model" was used. The trigger reverted to the "thin" type and the extractor with the "Loaded" *GELADEN*, The left side of the receiver bears the proof of chief inspector Major Vogelsang. This gun is from a lot of only 815 pistole that were shipped in 1913.

Here are two views of the sights on the Swiss Parabellum. This order was manufactured by DWM and delivered to the Swiss with the traditional "V" rear sight. Their were Swiss shooters who believed a "U" shaped rear sight gave them a better sight picture and so some of these guns were modified by the Swiss with the widening of the 'V' to a more 'U' configuration. Lucky for us this is an original.

Here one can see an unusual circumstance which nicely dates the gun for us. On the right side is the proof mark of Major Vogelsang (Inspector 1879-1912) who used a Swiss Cross over a "V". Colonel Mühlemann who was promoted in 1913 and used the Swiss Cross over 'M' within a square.

We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. Ask any questions or requests for additional pictures please contact us at josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

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. Our estimate is 98.9% blued with very minor holster wear at the end of the barrel and side plate. Straw blue is 98+%.

The normal stamping of the extractor, breach block and 1st toggle link was not performed on the Swiss early examples and this is what contributes to the beauty of these Parabellums. These were the last Parabellums ordered by the Swiss and shipped complete by DWM

This is a beautiful example of the 1906 Model Swiss Shield and Cross that was made by DWM for the last Swiss contract under the DWM monogram. This super clean Swiss Shield is offered for $3,495 over the counter.

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