New to the forum\Lugers
 

Hello everyone,
My name is Jackson from Nashville, TN. I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm a sucker for all things Swiss. I enjoy collecting Swiss rifles (k31, k11, 1911,etc) but have always wanted to add a Swiss Luger to my collection. Now, other than what i've read on the forums I really don't know a lot about them. I browse Simpson's site, specifically the Swiss Lugers, often. Even with Lugers being what they are I just cannot justify spending $3k+. I found several that I'm interested in however I'm curious about a DWM 1906 Swiss example that is just right in my price range. See here. Can I assume that the straw highlights on the numbering\shield are not original?

However, with my logic of only collecting Swiss I feel i should probably be only concentrating on Bern. :)

Welcome to the forum!

From the photos, the strawings looks original. When asessing strawing and other features, look at the overall condition of the gun. Strong strawing on an otherwise average pistol would raise alarms. Swiss Lugers seem to have survived in better condition than most other variations.
This looks like a correct Swiss to me.

Alanit,
Thanks! After going through the rest of the Lugers I didn't find another that had the straw highlights. Perhaps it was special ordered for someone as a gift that way?
Swiss guns are generally in remarkably good shape since they have remained neutral since 1815. I'll droll on it for a bit longer and make up my mind.

They have managed to stay neutral in the worst of times, but they have always been prepared for defense. When you serve in the military there, you end up taking the weapon you were trained with home with you after your service is over, in the event you should need to be recalled. Can you imagine how difficult a house to house takeover would be in Switzerland? That is why the Germans didn't try it in WW2.

The swiss guns are found in remarkably good shape because the swiss have/had a very intensive maintenance program for their ordnance... Guns were probably refinished on an annual or at least periodic basis to make sure they not only functioned but look good. The swiss Lugers were refinished many times by the swiss arsenal at Bern... A refinish on swiss guns is ususally a really good one.

Good luck on your gun purchase, it is a very nice one...and welcome to the Lugerforum.

While Yamamoto never actually stated "You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass" the phrase, i believe for now, still rings true.
Alas though I'd be afraid to shoot such a pretty piece. :)

Are you referring to the white highlighted shield and other stamps? If so, that is just some sort of white pigment that is rubbed into the stamp depressions to enable you to see them better in photos. It can be removed quite easily.

Neil,
Yes, the highlights are what I'm talking about. I've seen white paint\whatever used before to highlight serial numbers and the like, however, it appears straw in color on my screen.
However, now when i zoom into the photo i see that the pigment has just turned in color probably due to age. What would be the best way to remove the highlighting material?

I don't know what your budget is but here is a link to a Swiss that seems to be in outstanding condition.
http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...ossibly-others

Good luck with your purchase.

Gun oil and a brush should do it.

Rommel,
Thanks for the post. Those are pretty nice but it's pushing the envelope for me. I think my heart may be set on this 1906 DWM.

Neil,
Thanks for the advise. :)

This is a very nice Luger, and you'll be impressed.

Note that it was made in Germany (Berlin) by DWM under a contract for the Swiss. There are other later Lugers that were actually made by the Swiss.

They took good care of their firearms. Many of these are in remarkable condition for their age. As mentioned above, they had a regular maintenance program.

The Swiss M1900, 1900/06 and W+F manufactured 1906/24 Lugers all incorporate strawed parts. The later ones made by the Swiss were all blued.

Note that many of Simpson's Swiss Lugers are import marked.

mrerick,
I've bought several k11's from them (Simpson's) and they aren't particularly... discrete with their import markings. I would assume that import markings negatively affect the value of the piece?
Also, I've never shot a 30 Luger before. While I highly doubt that I will ever fire this handgun If i were to purchase a shooter grade Luger in 30 where would a good source of ammunition be?

All the usual large online sources list it. It is available periodically, usually for $25/box or less. Be patient and jump on some when it appears. Otherwise, check Gunbroker and auction/classified sites, where it will appear whenever. The U.S. made stuff is priced in the stratosphere, but I guess if you gotta, you gotta...

this might also help: http://ammoseek.com/