model 1900 'Chilean trials' sn 10010 found
 

Hello, I am pretty new here but have been collecting for a few years now. I found this on GB last year listed simply 'early 1900 Luger' and was shocked when nobody bid against me and I won it. As I was reading about these early stocked Lugers in vol. 1 of the Pistole Parabellum set, I was thrilled to discover this very gun described and pictured on pgs. 197-198! I found a correct push-button stock for it earlier this year that miraculously fits it rather well.
I am very interested in these early Lugers and have been examining every one I come across that has the same or similar features. So far I have notes on 20 other similar guns incl. several fakes.
There is a post here from 2007 titled 10010b that shows a model 1900 with all the same features and the same sn-10010, but with a 'B' under the sn on the frame. Does anyone know where that Luger is now? I welcome any and all comments and insights on my pistol and these early Lugers in general. Thanks!
-Jason

Hello Jason,

The arrogant British author who decided to identify these Lugers with long barrels as a 'Chilean Trials' pistol, he was lacking knowledge about the German firearms industry during the Imperial era.

For example, as your pistol has early commercial BUG proof marks, it would not make sense for it to be connected to a foreign national trial/contract.

I have written you a message about the similar Luger pistol serial 10000B which I had examined in my hands in 2008.

Well done on a great win,
Albert

Hey Albert! How are you doing?!:)

I think you are right that there is no rationale for a BUG marked gun to be a "trials" piece, but I wouldn't discount it being made for Chilean commercial sales.

Jason, your gun sure is a beauty...as Albert said, well done!

Stay well,
Ron

Thank you both for the kind words. I feel so lucky to have both these beautiful pieces in my humble collection. Albert, I replied to your message but I'm not sure if I did it right. Please let me know if it didn't come through.
-Jason

Hello Jason,

It seems we have a parallel mix up when you sent me a private message 11 days ago from the Jan Still Forum and when I first contacted you from this forum a few days ago when I saw the images of your M1900/02 Long Barrel Luger. I gave you my e-mail address to send images of the other Luger pistol serial #10000B.

Without forgetting my dear friend Ron whose knowledge on the subject I always value - expect for the M1906 'Russian Contract' Lugers ;) - we both appreciate and bless your very rare Luger pistol and will gladly share our knowledge with you as we learn more information about these special order pistols (several with the 'GL' hallmark such as my M1900/02 'GL' Tangent Sight Luger serial #20 with a 155 mm barrel without a stock lug) which were made and sold/delivered between 1902 and 1910.

Enjoy,
Albert

Albert,

I sent you an email. Your tangent-sighted M1900 is very unique. I haven't come across another early model with these features and a barrel of this length. I think it is truly one-of-a-kind. The toggle mounted tangent sights are works of art and I aspire to someday add a tangent-sight Luger to my collection.

A little more info about my fixed sight sn 10010- it has been 'fixed up' a little bit between when it was photographed in black and white by Sturgess and when it came into my possession last year. It has been refinished to some extant and the original narrow grip safety has been replaced with a wide one. The grips have also been replaced. The action is tight and the bore is very nice leading me to believe it was shot very little.