1928 Durch East Indies Luger


This thumb safety was marked "RUST", the magazine is the early style DWM with the wooden base and coil spring. Most examples of this Luger have suffered extreme surface damage due to the climate in which they were deployed. This one is in extraordinarily good condition for its age and service.


Sometimes the Luger will talk to us and tell us its story. In this case it carries all its history right there for us to see. Telling us it began in Berlin in 1928, went to Holland, was destined to be shipped to the Dutch East Indies. From the indication of the condition of this gun it must have left Europe, served and was returned because it still has the DWM high deep blue finish which appears to be a factory re-finish.

One of the idiosyncrasies of the Dutch Luger was the requirement for the extractor to be marked Geladen on both sides (exposed only when loaded). Note the GELADEN extractor marked on both sides, a Dutch Military specification and the KOL proof markings, clean and crisp. See *The Dutch Luger*, by Martens & de Vries Page 139. These pictures captures the specifics of the 1928 Model manufactured by DWM. The Crown N proof, the shortened post 1915 sear, with a hold open and no stock lug. A Dutch Luger Mark which has been hotly debated, is the so-called "KL Mark." The only Dutch Luger's markedwith it are the 3,820 E. Indies Luger pistols delivered by DWM in 1928, where it's factory applied to the right hand side of the receiver. Unfortunately, there is no documentary evidence for the meaning of the letters "KL" in a circle, so their meaning has been open to speculation.

Included with this offeringis the all matching DWM made Dutch contract Parabellum with an enlisted brass plate indicating this gun along to a Communications Company, 2nd Battalion Engineers, gun number 24. In addition .to the authentic Dutch holster, for their designation M11, with a proofed cleaning rod and proofs on the front of the holster. Also included is a very rare Dutch magazine pouch containing two additional magazines, a proofed pin punch and a loading tool. Absolutely the best of the best.


See Kenyon "*Lugers at Random*" Page 208 These Lugers we purchased to deploy to the East Indies which suffered mostly from the climate as Holland was neutral in WWI. The East Indies guns were scheduled for factory refinish every six or seven years. The original blue is the bright rust blue of the DWM factory, while the factory refinish was a rather dull blue or "semi-matte" in appearance.

Within the magazine pouch is a pen punch that is proved with the GS symbol. This symbol is the mark of the Werkplaatsen voor Draagbare Wapenen which stands for Geweermakers School which was a traing facility in the Dutch Indies for armourers that worked on weapons and made various parts for these guns.

The brass cleaning rod with a built in "oiler" is original with the proof on the stem of the cleaning rod (lower left),

The clearing rod has been proofed making it as original as they get. Note the Dutch "RUST" on the thumb safety. Rust = Fire when the thumb safety is in the up position.

An original Dutch Magazine pouch with the Pin Punch and the Loading Tool. This alone is a $2500 value with such a rare piece of accompanying leather. Note the decorative covers on the snap fasteners; only the Dutch holsters and pouches for this four looped design. This is a very rare pouch. For a holster to survive after so many years it is astounding that we should find one that is not only complete but in such good condition and with the internal tools.


Germany invaded Holland on May 10th, 1940 and despite the heroics of their air force (they lost 62 of 125 planes on the first day) the battle was over by May 14th while small skirmishes continued for until the 16th. Blitzkrieg was born. Dutch Invasion German Newsreels


The Luger weights 29.1 oz empty and is 8.57" (217mm) in length. The magazine has an 8 round capacity and gives the barrell a 4 turn twist.

The bottom of the magazines were unmarked. The serial numbers of these guns were hidden, as these were commercial guns contracted to the Dutch. Note the serial number falls into the recognized block of the Dutch contract.

This fantastically well preserved holster is considered rare in the minty condition it is found. The proof marks of inspectors and perhaps some unit marks are on the front flap.


Above the three magazines that come with this gun represent the DWM, metal sleeves crimped and with the wooden bottom. The Dutch East Indies M11 had three types of magazine. The standard magazine with the rear pin, a double pinned magazine and then this one pictured on the left (not included), to enable the inside of the magazine to be cleaned. It consisted of a metal spring at the base of the magazine with a folded lug of spring fitted in the slot to the rear. By pushing on the on the lug at the rear you could release the spring and remove the base for cleaning. This was not a long term solution and quickly wore out and these magazines were discontinued. In the above magazines the far left has the two holes drilled for the 2nd pin which wasn't applied.

Pictured above is the front and back view of this wonderfully preserved Dutch holster. All the straps are operable in the entire holster is minty. In the early 1930s, the East Indies Army introduced a new type of M 11 holster, with a short belt loop instead of the long strap. Very few of these holsters were preserved from World War II because of the deployment in the Dutch Indies and the Japanese drive across these colonial lands. This is a highly prized war souvenir and is only in the collections of the very serious Dutch collector.

These Lugers were among the very last that were produced by Berlin-Karlsruher Industrie-Werke A.G., the successor of DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Muntionsfabriken) when they resumed production in 1927. The Dutch East Indies Army was one of the first and last customers for the Lugers. Delivered in Aug/Sept of 1928 only 3,820 were produced. Only the Dutch Navy in a limited quantity were delivered by DWM in 1930. The balance of that contract was made by Mauser.


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.

This all matching Luger has the distinction of possessing the original grips as delivered by DWM and serial numbered to the gun. The inside of the (below) is clean and has the serial number on the rear axel pin, a characteristic usually attributed to the 1932 order of the Heeres-Verordnungsblatt.

Nor does the barrel have the date stamped on it as to when it was brought into service as East Indies weapons usually do. This is the very clean Dutch Luger and has all the proofs one could wish for. This is a chance to own a magnificent Dutch KL of which only 3,820 guns were accepted by the Dutch and most of them were lost in WWII both in combat and by the elements.

Characteristic of only 1928 contract was the short sear [upper left picture #65]. Note the brass plate with the unit markings. (Upper right picture) one can see the Crown"N"another characteristic of the 3820 guns that were ordered.

The grips are the original DWM and are not stamped with the GS indicating that they were made in the East Indies. Both are serial numbered to the gun.

This is as good as it gets for the Dutch Luger collector. The gun is minty with all matching numbers, comes with a beautiful period holster and has the Dutch modified magazine.

In the beginning, the Netherlands was one of the first countries to adopt the Luger officially, their initial order having been placed before 1908. They reordered at least once before the outbreak of the First World War and possibly twice. Despite the fact that they are one of the world's smallest nations, the Netherlands were good customers of DWM. Not only did the Army use the Luger but also the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Royal Netherlands Indies Army (K.N.I.L.) plus the Dutch Air Force.

This is an outstanding example of the 1928 Model Dutch Parabellum that is in super excellent original condition. All matching and with a modified Dutch magazine plus the proofed holster this gun has both collector and historical significance for the advanced collector. In addition there is a two pouch magazine with a punch and loading tool.

This marvelous all matching Dutch Luger, surviving the East Indies war along with a beautifully marked holster and as a double bonus a two magazine pouch with a loading tool and punch; all offered for $9,995.00. This Parabellum may be sold before posting as such on the internet. Call for availability. Question to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

MEMORIAL WEEK SPECIAL
Anyone ordering this 1928 Dutch East Indies Parabellum Rig during Memorial Week at the offering price will also get a copy of the Martens & de Vries comprehensive book on the Dutch Luger. Over 250 pages of pictures, text and illustrations to complement this fabulous gun. Over $250 value.