1926 Simson & Co, Suhl Luger

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 Simsons are all re-works; others indicate that after the initial supply of parts from Erfurt were expended Simson built their own. No Simson worker has survived to document 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.

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 is a 1926 dated Simson. It is Eagle 6 Simson 1st & 2nd proofs plus acceptance marks. The Eagle proof indicates that new manufacture. The first toggle link is marked with the Simson monogram, and there is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link. The extractor is marked "Geladen" on the left side and the safety is marked "Gesichert" with the safe position being downward.

There is a plethora of Eagle 6 proofs, much more than even the Erfurt with proofs on the side plates, locking lever and above right even on the spline of the magazine. Below you can see the Eagle 6 on the extractor, the first toggle, the trigger and the back of the magazine release.

There are inspector marks all over the weapon in a variety of eagle stamps. Most prominent is the Eagle 6 Simpson Military First Inspection proof. The sequence of proofs usually represents (from left to right) E/6, Receiver Hardened, E/33 Ready for the Power Proof, E/6 After Shooting in and finally, the Weimar acceptance proof (Eagle) on the receiver and barrel after power proofing. Proof marks are well struck and clearly visible.

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 a matching magazine. The finish on the gun is a function of polishing. Some parts of the gun have a very polished finish, others do not. This in part is the result of "parts" being incorporated from Erfurt stocks and newly manufactured Simson parts.

The extractor is marked GELADEN (Loaded) and when raised indicates there is a round in the chamber. This is a unique feature when introduced as a feature. This let the shooter see visually and feel tactilely that the gun is loaded and ready.


1925 & 1926 were the only two years that Simson issued numbered Parabellums. The original records were lost during the war so most of the data is surmised by those who have studied the guns and flushed out with antidotal oral history. In all our attempts to add empirical precision to dates, styles, proofs, or other observed variations it is sometimes important to remember the old adage; "if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck eventually we must assume it is a duck." This looks like a 1926 Simson to us.

The grips are fine cut diamonds and the inside has the three digit serial number and the eagle 6 proofs.




It wasn't until 1932 that the German authorities required the rear main axel pins be numbered. Apparently this practice was picked up earlier than that by Simson and the records were lost.

The inside of the gun is clean and in excellent condition. This Luger needs a good home to extend its care.

Almost indefinable, there are proof marks on the grip screws. (Right Photo) Jan Sill in his book Weimar and Early Nazi Lugers pictures on page 69 and 71 shows the 1926 dated Simson. See also Kenyon, Page 222-223, Lugers at Random

The most distinctive feature of these pistols is undoubtedly the toggle-lock mechanism, which holds the breech closed by locking in a manner not unlike the human knee, which can sustain a heavy weight when straight, but once bent is quite easy to continue to bend. The toggle joint in its straight position resists the rearward force of the detonating cartridge, then "buckles" after enough time has passed. When a round is fired the entire breech, barrel and toggle move straight rearward (on rails) until the toggle begins to ride up on a pair of cams that "breaks" the toggle (makes it bend at the joint). Once the toggle joint is no longer straight, it bends freely, allowing the bolt to come rearward, and the striker to be cocked. The spent cartridge is extracted by a combination extractor/loaded chamber indicator on the top of the toggle, is ejected as the toggle nears the end of its rearward free travel, returning, and a new round is stripped from the magazine and chambered as the toggle is driven back to the straight position by a spring.



	Above right we see the left underside of the Luger with all the proofs and serial numbers. On the trigger is marked with the last two digits of the serial number "74" while the same number is on the receiver, stop lug and locking lever.

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This is a excellent variation of the Very Rare 1926 Dated all-matching Simson, with a multitude of proofs & matching magazine. This Parabellum is offered for $14,495.00 over-the-counter with the reservation that the gun may be sold before being posted as such on the internet.

We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and do not warrant the availability of any firearm that do not have a cash deposit. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. Call for availability Any questions or request for additional pictures email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com.