Pete and policeluger,
Perhaps I can Fill in a small amount of information on the Iranian Lugers.
In the winter of 1945-46 I was In the Airforce stationed at Barksdale Field, La.
I had the questionable duty assignment of serving as Honor Guard for a Very Importand Party arriving at Barksdale Field, and every thing was highly secret.
The party was a middle eastern Prince, The Shah of Iran and his Party. Arriving in two planes, the first of which carried six of his personal body guard, and the second carried the Shah and Hid Wife.
Which we now understand that this secret hush hush attitude was because the Shah was being encouraged to separate himself from his central european connections.
As one of the Honor Guard, in addition to Honor Parade, it was my duty to escort his off duty personal body guards about the base and make them welcome.
These fellows were all the size of a six foot six Pro Football line backer, and were Oxford educated, speaking flawless "English".
Each carried one of these "Farsi" Gold inlayed Lugers. We exchanged weapons for a personal curiosity inspection. He seemed as impressed by the massive feel of my Colt 45 Auto as I was by the clean natural feel and point of his Luger.
I was told that if the Shah was pleased by a Visitor, that he was prone to present one of the gold inlayed lugers as a token gift.
The plain models were military Issue for his Officers and selected troops.
Thats all that I seem to remember after all these years.
If policeluger can fill in anything beyond this please be my guest.
ViggoG
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