DWM Model 1900 Swiss Military Contract Luger, Dished Toggles, V Rear Sight, Very Sharp Blue 4.75” SA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1901-1902 C&R

More Sold Fine European Arms

SOLD FOR: $3,604

LSB#: 160134WM64

Make: DWM

Model: 1900 Swiss Military Contract (Per pg. 61 of “Luger Variations” by Harry Jones”.

Serial Number: 4486

Year of Manufacture: 1901-1903 (http://www.germandaggers.com/Gallery/GL1.php)

Caliber: 7.65mm Luger

Action Type: Toggle Action Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine.

Markings: The front toggle is marked with a script “DWM” and the top of the chamber is marked with a Swiss cross in a sunburst pattern. The back of the rear toggle, the bottom of the left side plate, the bottom of the locking bolt, the left side of the trigger and the left side of the grip safety are marked “86”. However, the numbers stamped on the trigger appear to be stamped over another number. The front of the frame under the barrel and the underside of the barrel are marked “4486”. The left side of the receiver’s chamber ring is marked with a Swiss cross (proof mark) and a “Cross / V” inside a rectangle (These marks are as shown on line 2, page 234 of “Luger Variations” by Harry Jones for a 1900 Swiss Luger). There is also a small Swiss cross on the left side of the barrel. The inside surface of the left grip is marked “4”, “486” with a “4” overstamped over the top of the “8” and what looks like an asterisk. The inside surface of the right grip is similarly marked, except for with a “P” instead of a singular “4”.

Barrel Length: 4 ¾”

Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “V” notch in the back of the toggle and Patridge style blade dovetailed into a rectangular base on the front barrel band.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut that are dark around the edges with oil staining. The checkering shows light wear, with two tiny mars in the right grip. The right grip is slightly loose on the frame. The grips rate in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: The finish is blued. The safety, trigger, takedown lever, magazine release, toggle lock, ejector and extractor are straw colored. The sear bar spring, the pin holding the breechblock to the front toggle and the pin holding the rear toggle to the frame are fire blued.

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some fouling in the grooves near the muzzle that didn’t come out with a brass brush, but no erosion.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its current metal finish. There is a tiny ding in the left front edge of the barrel, another in the left side of the frame below the locking bolt, and a third in the front of the frame on the left side. There are two light marks in the back of the rear toggle, a light mark on the right front edge of the frame and minor thinning on the bottom edge of the grip safety and the edges of the left sideplate. The serrations on the toggle knobs and safety show very light wear. The knurling on the magazine release is mostly sharp, and the knurling on the locking bolt shows moderate wear. The grip screws are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action works correctly. This pistol has dished toggle knobs with locks, manual and grip safeties, a wide trigger guard (0.583”) and a very wide trigger (0.575”), almost as wide as the trigger guard. These parts are characteristic of the M1900 Swiss Luger except for the trigger, which is supposed to be narrow, according to “luger Variations” by Harry Jones. However, Mr. Jones does indicate another pistol, serial number 4414, also had a very wide trigger. We think the wide trigger was added by the Swiss to improve the ergonomics of the trigger pull. We do know that many times the “V” notch rear sight was converted over to a “U” notch by the Swiss, which wasn’t done on this pistol. We have not fired this pistol.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single magazine. The magazine has what appears to be a nickel plated finish and a wooden bottom piece with nickel plated discs in the sides of the bottom piece (correct for 1900 Swiss pistol). The body of the magazine shows some bubbling in the finish with a few spots of surface loss that have dark eroded metal showing. There are a few light dings in the edges of the bottom piece. The magazine is in about Fine overall condition.