A.F. Stoeger registered "Luger" in the US in 1929.  These were sold in the early 1930's in both 9mm and 7.65mm but the cost of the Luger was high compared to other guns of that period. Jones reports in Luger Variations that nearly all had the military style of serial numbering.  By 1934 the DWM toggles were said to be used up; therefore this weapons was probably set aside, awaiting the completion of the order from Stoeger.

This Parabellum is 7.65mm and has the 150mm Navy style barrel of the classic Luger.  Serial number placement is in the civilian ("hidden") style on the side plate and hidden on the take down lever. The thumb safety is marked "SAFE" and extractor "LOADED."   This is the reason most of these model Stoeger's are referred to as the Safe & Loaded Lugers. This example has all matching numbers.

Proof marks are Crown over "N" (C/N),   the bottom of the barrel,  and the left of the frame. The first toggle link is marked with the DWM monogram, and there is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link.

In 1930 through a series of mergers DWM machinery, parts and personnel moved from Berlin to Oberndorf and immediately began producing Lugers from existing stocks. The first contract filled was for the Dutch Air Force and this was completed in 1928. While during this period that majority of work at Mauser Werke was re-works they did produce the contract for three line A.F. Stoeger of New York.  This has been recognized by most authorities as falling in the 403v-463v.   The notes of August Weiss indicated that the serial numbers 515v-524v were delivered in 1930.  This was later revised to include 400v-600v in the original Stoeger order and dated the production to the 33-34 era. Most are described made with the safe and loaded indications.

This very rare early example of the Stoeger Navy style Safe & Loaded comes with a stock, holster rig attachment that includes a Navy 6" style holster, a six inch cleaning rod, an unmarked period loading tool and the straps and attachments for the rig.  The iron on the stock is unmarked but the stock itself is stamped "Germany".

The serial number on the side plate is three digits, this is a bit unusual for this late a gun but these were very early "V" series.

There is an absence of serial numbers on the small parts that one expects to find. We can tell from this three digit serial number that this was a very early Stoeger and perhaps a pattern of marking these guns was still in the developmental stage.

This is one of the earliest known "v" series Stoegers.  It been written that they didn't begin until the 400 serial number range but here we have an example in the 200 range which may make it a "very" early example of the Stoeger order.

It has also been generally accepted that these guns were produced in 7.65mm and 9mm and in mostly 4" and 8" barrels and this is the first 6" (150mm) barrel we have seen in 30 years.

This is definitely a treasure for the collector being offered in a complete rig as a Navy style 3 Line Safe & Loaded Luger.

Careful study of the right side of the Stoeger inscription finds the Germany export stamp found on export models.  The fact that the Genuine appears in different type reflects the response to an early request from Stoeger to include this in their logo after it was registered. This dates the gun after 1929 when Stoeger received its patent in the United States.