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This is a 1937 dated Mauser, 9mm, one of two hundred that were manufactured as test Lugers for the Thai Government for their Police. Very seldom seen this known variation is referred to as the Siamese Contract by Walker.

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	This Parabellum is 9mm fitted with a 100mm barrel Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "Geladen." This example has all matching numbers. The barrel is numbered and proofed and matches the frame. The barrel itself is very clean and shows strong lands and grooves.
Proof marks are Crown over "U" Mauser Oberndorf proof found on the left receiver, and the left of the breechblock characteristic of the early flowing "v" series Mauser Lugers. The first toggle link is marked with the early Masuser Banner monogram, and there is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link. The very early Mauser Banner had five lines emanating from the Mauser while in 1939 eleven lines began to appear in the Banner.
	What makes this the Siamese Variation? In addition to being within the serial number block advertised for sale there are also additional issue numbers above the lanyard loop. The first symbol is said to be a stylized lion-head and then the numbers. These were originally advertised in the "Shotgun News" for sale. If we only knew? This gun is approximately 85% blued and the straw blue remains only on the edges of the trigger and partially on the ejector.
The magazine is exceptionally clean, and serial number three digits from the serial number of the gun. It is blued steel magazine with the aluminum bottom. For the collector this gun presents the dichotomy of collecting. Should the gun which shows wear but is not rusted or pitted by "touched up" by a restorer or just kept in the original condition? Once the gun is yours you can do what you want. However, this variation, like the '06 Bulgarian is a highly desired piece in any condition.

The serial number range appears to conflict with what is written by some authors. Some have these numbers overlapping the Latvian contract guns in the "V" series, and while the date falls into sequence the serial numbers don't. It is entirely possible that the guns were stocked when finished and then brought from the stores to fill the contracts. This was long before modern production where we build it when it is ordered.

More views of the back of gun showing the Siamese Markings. There is some pitting under the left grip on the front frame strap partially seen in this above left. The Luger was import marked when brought through customs in the '80's.

This Luger is clean, but shows holster wear. In the last 20 years I have seen one other Siamese and it was deeply pitted. These just don't 'pop-up' at gun shows anymore.

Rare is used liberally as applied to just about any Luger. The collectors know the rare ones; 1900 Russian, 1904 Navy's, '06 1st Issue Unaltered Navy, Kriegsmarine marked; amongst the Mauser's the Siamese is considered rare in the true meaning of the word.

This is a very rare example of the Siamese variation of a Mauser 1937 contract gun.