Pre War Quality...
 

I was playing with a couple of pistols and on a second look it caught my attention: a simple part but with outstanding machining not seen on later guns...I can understand the desirability Early Commercials have with collectors...as I have not seen this quality machining on Military pistols...

Firing Pin Guide from an 1906 AE http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/guide_1.jpg http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/guide_nice.jpg

MARK <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Mark, when I was a youngster I often discussed firearms with my father who was quite knowledgeable about such things. He'd owned numerous Lugers over the years, especially before he got married. Among those he owned was a commercial "SAFE/LOADED" .30 caliber, a couple of 1906 commercials and a 1915 DWM Artillery that was in absolutely new condition. His conclusions included the observation that pre-war Lugers were fit and finished as finely as a Swiss watch. He had nearly as much praise for the fit and finish of the 1915 Artillery. Pre-war craftsmanship among German gun manufacturers has probably not been exceeded by anyone, anywhere. I look at the Loewe manufactured rifles and DWM rifles and marvel at the quality. They couldn't be matched today for $1,000 I don't believe..... unless by one of the countries offering extremely cheap labor but they're unlikely to have developed the necessary skills.