"DWM" scroll toggle marking
 

I have wondered for some time when the first classic DWM scroll marking appeared on the luger toggle. The early prototypes, such as the Borchardt-Luger #5, which some of us had the rare good fortune to see, does not have this scroll marking on the toggle. Did later prototypes have it? Does the first scroll marking on a luger appear with Swiss model 1900 #1? Does the DWM scroll marking appear on any other DWM produced pistols or rifles?

Doc,

I'm interested in the answers to your questions as well. The only actual response I can provide is that the .32 cal. Browning-copy pocket auto DWM made for awhile has the DWM scroll on the left slide.

--Dwight

Dwight, the .32 Browning copy was presumable made AFTER 1900. I was wondering if the DWM scroll appeared BEFORE 1900, or was the 1900 luger the first?

The DWM logo was added at about sn 60, according to records and photos I have.

Mike Jones

Here is a good question for you...

Was the DWM logo, as used on the Luger toggle, ever used on the early Borchardt pistols, or any other DWM manufactured equipment or tools? ...and no, I don't know the answer.

John,

No, it was never used on Borchardts. I have seen the logo on some tools. I have a set of calipers with their logo somewhere.

Regards,
Mike

On page 172-173 of the Horst Rutsch book, "Faustfeuerwaffen Der Edigenossen"; there is a Swiss M1900, serial number 39 with a photo of the top of the toggle which shows the "DWM" scroll.

Pete,

I have records of guns after #39 that have a blank toggle. So who knows, maybe 39 was changed at some point in CH.

Regards,
Mike Jones

Pete,

Is that a Swiss Commercial or military?

--Dwight

Dwight,

Photo shows a Swiss ordnance pistol.

Mike,

You could very well be correct as well.

Mike, Thanks your invaluable information. This all gives credence to the Swiss luger "pre-production" piece pictured on page 51 of Lugers at Random IMHO.

There is a rather scarce little booklet by Reinhard Kornmayer published in 1970 titled "Die Geschichte der Parabellum-Pistole in der Schweiz" that is a very concise but pretty comprehensive overview of Swiss Lugers. On page 39 there are several views of serial #01 Swiss Military (Ordonnanzpistole) that clearly shows the DWM scroll on the toggle link. The photo credit is: (Copyright H.B. Lockhoven "Waffen-Archiv").

The DWM name will be engraved on the right frame of Borchard pistols after 1 Jan 1897. Th

Tom, My understanding is that the "DWM" engraved on the Borchardt is the name and not the scroll...am I correct?

Booklet Ron Wood mentioned :

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/swiss_booklet.jpg

Thanks, Pete. This the book I almost won on e-bay, written by Reinhard Kornmeyer. Would like to read a translated version, if it exists. It's apparently out of print.