If my initials were KCS I'd be over it like a Bulgarian over Bush his wristwatch :)

Mauro: Just got my early Mauser Parabellum manual home. It shows the old style pistol pretty well.

Some picture of #53

'

..

...

....

.....

Forgot to add a couple of things. I have had this luger for many years (25?) now. The person I purchased it from mentioned that he acquired it from a mauser representative at one of the big shows (back then).

Thank you Lew1,
really nice.
Your #53 seems to have the same configurtion of the #19.
I was aware that this configuration was applicable to the first 50 pistols. This is quite correct because your is the #53.
It is really important for me to find out the upper limit of this "prototype" pistols.
Take care of your pistol because it is a really rare Mauser Parabellum
Cheers,
Mauro

One more think,
Do you mind to check internally if you see any numbers on the toggle or on the frame.
Cheers,
Mauro

Great thread (especially for us newbies)!

Bill

Bill,
Happy that you enjoy the topic...

Additional info available in :

http://www.theparabellumisback.com

and

http://www.lugerlp08.com

Cheers,
Mauro

How can someone say this is the only one survived? It is not like the others were destroyed in military tests, the others just haven't been found?? It is not like they only made two of them, there were 50....NO pun intended.

This is an older thread, and quite a bit of new information has surfaced in the mean time, also leading to the publication of our book 'The Parabellum Is Back - 1945 - 2000!'.

(in fact, these forum discussions prompted Mauro and myself to team up and make a combined effort, which succeeded in ways we couldn't image, as we now have access to literally hundreds of original Mauser documents on the production of the Mauser Parabellum).