Herb,
I just re-read in my John Walter book, The Luger Story, that this "Erste Originalpistole" that was photographed and described in the 1975 revision of the Jones' book was very controversial when the gun surfaced.
The claim that this was the "first" B-L pistol, according to Walter, was not well documented, and he concluded this pistol may have been a later pistol (i.e. after the 1898 and 1899 B-L's...).
The pistol's toggle grips with their singular annular rib were very simplistic to manufacture and Walter surmised they might have been replacements in the DWM factory in the early 1900's.
As I read Walter's paragraphs, I got the feeling he was not backing up his conclusions with any other documentation or other references...maybe just his professional opinions...
Do any of our Luger Forum members recall more details from the 1975's when this "Erste Originalpistole" first surfaced ?
Where did this pistol come from ?
What was its chain of ownership ?
Is this pistol described in any surviving DWM records ?
Who owns the pistol nowdays ?
Regards,
Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />