I don't agree about the quality.
The Parabellum pistol has been improved constantly during its life time, of course with some concessions to appearance during the war years when output volumes were more important than a smooth finish.
Major improvements, especially in steel types and hardening techniques were made in the 1930s and 1970s, with an added improvement of production techniques on small parts.
So from a technical point of view my favorite pistols are the 1937-1946 Mauser pistols and the 1970-1997 Mauser Parabellum. Second in row must be the Swiss made Parabellums, especially the 06/29, followed by the DWM pre-1914 pistols.
From a purely aesthetic point of view, the 1906 type DWM pistols, especially with the sleeker looking 7.65 Para 'pencil' barrels are the winners in my opinion.
ps: I actually prefer a nice deep black salt blue finish over the rust blue
