1906 French marked commercial
 

In 2006 I purchased this 1906 French contact. Since then I haven't seen another. A supposed 1903 surfaced but there were questions. Charles Kenyan one page 106 wrote that only 2 were reported back in 1969 over 40 years ago! Has any been reported since his publication? I'm looking for any thing written on the topic or suggestions! Thank You All! ~ Eric

Eric,

There are 24 reports of New Model Parabellums marked "Manufacture Francais des Armes et Cycles de St. Etienne" in the Commercial database. Of these:

5 are reported with toe numbers, and can be considered authentic.

3 are reported as having no toe number, and can be considered not authentic.

4 are reported which can be confirmed as fake.

11 do not report the presence or absence of a toe number, and so their authenticty cannot be determined from the data.


There are reports of 8 Old Model French transitional Parabellus in the database. Of these:

6 reports cannot be determined as authentic or not from the data reported. One is reported as 9mm.

2 are reported as having a "Manufacture Francais des Armes et Cycles de St. Etienne" inscription on the barrel. These are fake. One of them is reported in October 2010 as no longer having the barrel inscription.

--Dwight

Thank You Dwight, Your post helped but what are 'toe numbers' Heres a look at the base underside on the barrel with some proofs. Were these correct with this luger? TKS

Is this the area you are reffering to?
 

Tks

A clearer view!
 

Thank You!

I would assume that "toe" would be that area at the very entrance to the magazine well, were some Lugers have stamps.

I'll have to check when we unpack next week. Moving suggs!

I found this entry in Dwights fantastic work!

extremely interesting, in this forum there is always a lot lo learn.

Every luger has its own life and history!

here is a photo copy from an old Gazette des Arms magazine which shows the toe-numbering mentioned by member dwight.

Thank You! Mine does not! Do you know what significare the four digits have?? Is it a serial number or inspection code? I can't imagine the lack of four previously unknown tail numbers amount to a definitave fake! Of Note, a 1906 sold last year #47695 on Rock Island Arsenal for an undislosed amount!

The toe number is an inventory number applied by Manufacture Francais des Armes et Cycles de St. Etienne

--Dwight