The M1906 Russian Contract Controversy Strikes Again

[Imperial Arms]

Originally Posted by Norme

Hi Albert, I have a new theory. Tsar Ferdinand cancelled a contract with DWM because of the incident described below (thank you Wikipedia). DWM, stuck with several hundred partially finished Bulgarian Lugers, applied the now famous Mosin-Nagant chamber decoration, and offered them for sale on the Russian civilian market. Rather a neat theory, don't you think? Best regards, Norm


Ferdinand was known for being quite a character. On a visit to German Emperor Wilhelm II, his second cousin once removed, in 1909, Ferdinand was leaning out of a window of the New Palace in Potsdam when the Emperor came up behind him and slapped him on the bottom. Ferdinand was affronted by the gesture and the Emperor apologised. Ferdinand however exacted his revenge by awarding a valuable arms contract he had intended to give to the Krupp's factory in Essen to French arms manufacturer Schneider-Cruseot.[9]

Hi Norm,

Your theory might be a neat story, but it is a very long shot. I doubt that DWM would sell pistols destined for the Russian civilian market (via a Russian dealer) which were previously for sale to a foreign country. Do not forget that the introduction of the New Model in 9 mm caliber was the first time that Bulgaria received this pistol directly from DWM. If any part of your theory was to be considered, usually it would be a government who would make such a decision in regards to 'surplus' firearms, such as the case with the M1900 Test trial Lugers being sold to Bannerman.

To the best of my knowledge, the Krupp factory in Essen sold cannons and not firearms. I guess that if the Kaiser had also squeezed his arse, DWM could have lost this small purchase of pistols!

Don't touch me
Albert

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by Imperial Arms

Hi Norm,

Your theory might be a neat story, but it is a very long shot. I doubt that DWM would sell pistols destined for the Russian civilian market (via a Russian dealer) which were previously for sale to a foreign country.

In ref to your comments above; what makes you feel this was a Bulgarian that went to Russia? That falls in line with your theory. Your theory is not proven, so you can't say that the russian commercial theory is wrong, when it would have to rely on your theory being correct, which is not proven?

[Imperial Arms]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

In ref to your comments above; what makes you feel this was a Bulgarian that went to Russia? That falls in line with your theory. Your theory is not proven, so you can't say that the russian commercial theory is wrong, when it would have to rely on your theory being correct, which is not proven?

Edward, you do not seem to understand my response to Norm's comment. I do not see any reason why the DWM factory would decide to sell (Bulgarian) Luger pistols with CONTRACT CHARACTERISTICS to a Russian dealer for sales on the commercial market, even if these pistols were assumed to be surplus military firearms. If a Russian buyer would ask what is the reason/purpose of these obscure markings, what would you expect the Russian dealer to say? "Sorry, those Germans f***ed up and decided to sell us these (Bulgarian) pistols as rejects. Why not just offer a standard commercial Luger - which is exactly described in a Russian dealers catalog from 1906 that I have in my archive, the pistol being a M1900 in caliber 7,65 mm. Could this listing in the catalog be the sale/delivery of the M1900 Russian Lugers with the crossed rifles on the chamber? By the way, notice the M1902 carbine with crossed rifles on the chamber!!

Obviously, it is difficult for some collectors to rationalize without fully understanding the culture and traditions of Imperial Germany. Without being racist, Americans will continue to think like Americans and often go along with 'knee-jerk' reactions. The American mentality in regards to the firearms industry is quite different from the German way in the past and the present.

Albert