29DWM sn# 5307u L.Me.429

Dwight Gruber · 12-04-2015, 12:43 AM

It is most correct to call this pistol an Alphabet Commercial, as it falls within the range of DWM commercial production between 1921-1929, serial numbered with letter suffixes i through early v (though excluding j). The term "29 DWM" was devised to differentiate DWM commercial production in the s, t, and u suffix ranges, presumably made in 1929, destined for police and military use.

It has always been recognized that there are regular commercial pistols, without police or army characteristics, within this range. More recent reexamination of DWM production within the context of the Versailles Treaty and the operation and departure of the Interallied Military Control Commission, reveals that DWM production of the s, t, and u suffix range pistols began in 1927.

Regarding the blank toggle pistols in this range, the parts manufacture for these guns was originally destined for a contract purchase by Berber rebels in north Africa. The contract was illegal under the Versailles Treaty, and the toggle mark was omitted from this production to give DWM "plausible deniability". The contract was never delivered, and these pistols ended up being sold to the German police.

--Dwight

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12-04-2015, 12:43 AM	#8
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	It is most correct to call this pistol an Alphabet Commercial, as it falls within the range of DWM commercial production between 1921-1929, serial numbered with letter suffixes i through early v (though excluding j). The term "29 DWM" was devised to differentiate DWM commercial production in the s, t, and u suffix ranges, presumably made in 1929, destined for police and military use. It has always been recognized that there are regular commercial pistols, without police or army characteristics, within this range. More recent reexamination of DWM production within the context of the Versailles Treaty and the operation and departure of the Interallied Military Control Commission, reveals that DWM production of the s, t, and u suffix range pistols began in 1927. Regarding the blank toggle pistols in this range, the parts manufacture for these guns was originally destined for a contract purchase by Berber rebels in north Africa. The contract was illegal under the Versailles Treaty, and the toggle mark was omitted from this production to give DWM "plausible deniability". The contract was never delivered, and these pistols ended up being sold to the German police. --Dwight