German Luger Collectibles

1922 DUTCH 'VICKERS' PENDING

Vickers Luger

Known as the M11 by the Dutch first contract consumated in 1911 with DWM. Basically a 1906 Parabellum with the "RUST" Dutch "Safe", double-sided 'GELADEN' on the extractor and usually the Javanese-grips were significantly courser than the DWM made at the Geweermakersschool in Bavaria. These 'commercial type' 1906 models were adopted to the Dutch requirements and finally assembled by Vickers in 1922 for delivery during the period of restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles. (2173)

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.

Note these are short framed, long-seared '06 models with the 9mm barrel with a 4" (100mm) barrel. Proof marks include the British Proofs under the barrel and the Dutch acceptance of Queen Wilhelmena

The early magazines were converted to enable removal of the wood bottom for cleaning by creating a spring loaded latch at the rear of the magazine. What worked in theory didn't in practice when rapid firing of the Parabellum caused the spring to disengage and the bottom, spring, follower and then bullets fell to the ground. All the modified magazines were recalled except for a very few and these re a premium to the collector.

The very early prescription for the Dutch Luger was for a drop bottom magazine that permitted cleaning. This was a great idea on paper for the climate of Indo-China to keep the magazines and springs clean and oiled but in practice these hindged magazines would come detatched when slammed into the gun or from the recoil of the gun, leaving the bottom swinging and bullets falling about. This was not good for morale.

The Serial number appears on the front of the frame and under the barrel. The last two digits appear at the bottom of the side plate and locking lever, inside on the trigger, the grip safety and other small parts. Above: We can see the British required proofs and the nitrate blued locking lever with serial numbr hidden as in commerial models.

The number of Vicker's produced parabellum was exactly 6,000 from 4182-10181. This rather exclusive club were proofed according to the British Proof Laws under the barrel. There are no gauge markings and by then the drop bottom magazines had given way to the silver sleeved, wood bottom standard models.

All the pistols of this order arrived with the Crown "W"; on the serial number guns 1 to 2141 the proof mark was on the right side and on the left side for all the remaining so proofed.

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This offering includes the outstanding all-matching Vickers 9mm Parabellum, an original early modified magazine, a cleaning rod and early model holster in excellent condition.



The Front and Rear of the Vicker's P-08 show the full four digit serial number and the last two digits of the serial number appearing on the rear toggle above the lanyard loop. The standard "V" notch rear sight is seen above the serial number on the rear toggle.

Queen Wilhemina: Although the Netherlands remained neutral during World War I sizeable German investments in the Dutch economy combined with a large trading partnership in goods forced the United Kingdom to blockade the Dutch ports in an attempt to weaken the Germans. The Dutch government traded with Germany in response and German soldiers were given for their rations before an assault. Wilhemina was a 'soldier's queen', being a woman, she could not be Supreme Commander, but she nevertheless used every opportunity she had to inspect her forces. On many occasions she appeared without notice, wishing to see the reality, not a prepared show. She loved her soldiers, but was very unhappy with most of her governments, which used the military as a constant source for budget-cutting. Wilhelmina wanted a small, but well trained and equipped army. However, this was far from the reality. In the war, she felt she was a "Queen-On-Guard." She was always wary of a attack, especially in the beginning. However, violation of Dutch territorial sovereignty came by both Britain and the United States, who, with the blockade, captured many Dutch trade cargo ships in an attempt to disrupt the German war effort. This led to increased tensions between the Netherlands and the Allied forces.

All the pistols of this order arrived with the Crown "W"; on the serial number guns 1 to 2141 the proof mark was on the right side and on the left side for all the remaining so proofed.



Continuing to examine this variation as a 'Commercial' gun we see the right hand side of the firing chamber is not proofed as most military guns. The left side doesn't reflect the serial number but the Crown W (Queen Wilhelmina). Only exactly 6,000 "Vickers" exist and these were shipped in the 1920's to Dutch East Indies, some surviving WWII and of those the ones making it to the US can be counted rather quickly.

Located on the breech block and 1st toggle link is the Crown V British proof of Vickers (Queen Victoria) that shows it was proofed before hardening. The proofs are crisp and this pushes one in the direction that if this Parabellum was re-blue it was done 'in-house' to avoid buffing and grinding off imperfections and proofs.

Most Dutch Vickers are encountered with a brass plate, measuring approximately 1 1/2 inches in length by 3/8ths of an inch in height, will probably be found to be braised onto the left side of the frame between the wooden grip and the left toggle. These plates were added to the pistol by the Netherlands Government for enlisted issue and usually have various combinations of letters and numbers inscribed thereon. They acted as identification plates for the profusion of military units to whom Lugers were issued.


The number of Vicker's produced Parabellum was exactly 6,000 from 4182-10181. This rather exclusive club were proofed according to the British Proof Laws under the barrel. There are no gauge markings.

The Serial number appears on the front of the frame and under the barrel. The last two digits appear at the bottom of the side plate and locking lever, inside on the trigger, the grip safety and other small parts. BELOW: We can see the British required proofs, the nitrate blued locking lever and magazine release and the Queen Wilhelmina Proof.

The above pictures illustrate the last two digits of the serial number as displayed on the locking lever and sideplate and then the inside of the trigger. These Vickers were mostly the Indo-China order for the Dutch East Indies army. Designated the M11 by the Dutch.

One of the characteristics of the Dutch Parabellums was the requirement of the Dutch Government that the "Geladen" or 'Loaded' should appear on both side of the extractor. Here we can clearly see the original extractor left with markings.

The Dutch pistols, especially the Vickers M11 which were sent to the Dutch East Indies suffered from the ravages of the damp weather and jungle conditions. It is very difficult for the purist collector, who doesn't want a gun that was re-blued either in Europe or the East Indies. The quality of work, if this Luger was restored must have been done in Europe. The grip safety has the last two digits of the serial number. The grip safety requires the safety to be 'up' therefore the direction of the "Rust" arrow.


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.

The M11 Designated holsterwas offered in a large strap variation for the officers (Sam Browne belt version) and then (early 30's) these smaller belt loop as above. In changing from one holster type to another, the older model holsters, were not thrown away but in most part modified.

The front of the holsters are usually found with a plethora of coded stamps that represented factory inspections or field modifications with each inspector retaining their individual alphabetical letter.


On the left is the quintessential picture of the Dutch Marines marching in Holland and wearing the M11 Luger in a picture attributed to the 1930s. Above right shows the. Holster with the cleaning rod mounted on the spline which was correct at the time the Vickers contract was accepted.

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.). It is reported that, for some unknown reason, the Netherlands placed an order for approximately 10,000 Luger Pistols sometime during the course of the First World War. Why the order was placed with Vickers, Ltd. of England is unknown. It is a known fact that Lugers had been received from DWM in 1916, or at least examples so dated have been encountered.

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Other honest holster wear this gun is practically minty in the world of the Dutch Lugers. The gun straw bluing is still strong on the locking lever, magazine release and extractor.

The grips of the Dutch are unique because they didn't come from the gun smith training school in Bavaria who were awash in their own requirements of post war reorganizing from a war-time schedule. Rather they were shipped without grips to Java and there they were individually crafted, albeit with a much courser diamond but non the less fully function to the Parabellum. Inside the grips are what appear to be proof marks and the serial number (well worn).


One of the characteristics of the Dutch Parabellums was the requirement of the Dutch Government that the "Geladen" or 'Loaded' should appear on both side of the extractor. Here we can clearly see the original extractor left & right with markings.

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. Any questions or request for additional purchases email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

The Vickers, outside of the Swiss variations manufactured by Waffenfabrik Bern, is the only model of the Luger that has ever been produced outside of Germany. Some say it was just "assembled" in England from German parts, however it has been stated that not only was some machinery sent but also some gauges. It appears true that most of the gun were sent in the white but the application of "Vicker LTD" to a hardened part does not suggest a hardened part.

Authentic Dutch Vickers in excellent condition for the Dutch East Indies model. This 1922 Vickers Ltd. produced and English proofed is in good - very good condition and offered for direct sale or layaway over-the-counter. This Parabellum show honest holster wear and a strong shiny barrel. This Dutch Luger is all matching, with a M11 correct period holster with a cleaning rod and early modified Dutch Magazine for $5,495.00.

This 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 no 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.

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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