This is a 1933 Manufactured Mauser from the DWM parts shipped from Berlin to Oberndorf designed to fill an order from A. F. Stoeger in New York for sale on the American Market.  Therefore the American Eagle Crest on the Chamber.  This is considered by many to be the Classic created by Mauser with the best blue system they ever produced.

This Parabellum is 7.65mm and has the 118mm pencil barrel of the classic luger. The barrel is numbered and  Crown U (Oberndorf) proofed and matches the frame.

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style on the side plate and hidden on the take down lever. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "LOADED."

This example has all matching numbers.

Proof marks are Crown over "N" (C/N),   the left of the barrel extension,  and the left of the first toggle link.

The first toggle link is marked with the DWM monogram, and there is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link.

The Crown U is found under the barrel and on the left of the breechblock,

The magazine is exceptionally clean.  Commercial magazine were usually sold unnumbered.

The frame has a stock lug, and the toggle is marked with DWM, the manufacturer.

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.

Easily identified as a "v" series from both the barrel and the frame and all the numbers match. The Crown U and Crown N contribute to the dating process.

What throws off the collector is that the serial number is outside the range of the "known"  A. F. Stoegers delivered in the early '30s.

What increases the mystery is the absence of the "GERMANY".  We know that after the depression the cost of the Luger, the great depression and other factors caused Stoeger to cancel the contract. It is told that these cancelled Lugers were sold in Europe and to the predecessor of the Electric Company of Israel.

When you research by serial number of the "v" series you find yourself in 1939; yet we know that the DWM parts and Stoeger contract had long since expired.

Below is the Crown N and Crown U proofs, clearly struck.

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 nearlly 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.

In 1937 the Electric Company of Israel purchased about 30 assorted P.08 from a  Mauser agent. Amongst this purchase were some Stoegers that were remaining at the factory in Oberndorf from the Stoeger order.  Still in Third Reich Lugers cited 4710-5200 as the series that included the Electric Company.

Walker has identified 8732v and 8739v from among the lot purchased by the Electric Company of Israel. Jones illustrated Luger Variations with a Stoeger marked serial number 8750v.

This Luger being within six serial numbers of known guns identified as the Israeli purchase and missing the Germany export stamp strongly suggests this was in the lot sold to the Israelis.

Careful study of the right side of the Stoeger inscription finds the absence of the Germany stamp found on export models.  This is one of the strongest clues that  this Luger, while destined for Stoeger was never exported to the US. 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 is a fantastic example of one of the most coveted American Eagle Mausers. There is strong suggestion that is one of the seventeen that were built for Stoeger but sold to the Israeli's.