[Ron Wood]

The write up is correct, 1908 Bulgarians were made in two series 1-5000 and 1C-5000C. Actually, 1908 is a misnomer as the guns were contracted for and delivered in late 1910/early 1911. They were relatively unknown to collectors (even Harry Jones knew of only two examples when he published his book in 1959) and they were labled 1908 because they resembled the 1908 models without a stock lug. The safety marking is Bulgarian and Russian. It is the word for "FIRE". It is the same word in both languages and being pre-1917 the Cyrillic alphabet was the same in both languages. Further, the Bulgarian Lugers departed from the normal safety marking in that when the marking shows on any other Luger, the Luger is on safe (GESICHERT), but on the Bulgarians (and Russians) when the marking shows the gun is ready to fire.

I doubt that the mis-matched parts are the result of an arsenal refurb (notice that in addition to the barrel and extractor, the sear bar is also #72). There were a bunch of these guns brought into the US in the '60s, reportedly many of them in barrels and many in not very good condition. The good ones and as many that could be assembled into functioning pieces were sold through Ye Olde Hunter and other dealers (for about $39.00 as I recall). Many of the parts were sold off seperately and are found on all manner of shooter Lugers to this day. They are really neat and unique Lugers and, even in the condition of this one, quite collectable.