Hello Panda,
The serial number of the gun for sale on Guns-America is # 3283. The other one that is shown in the book I mentioned is # 3822 and is still owned by Ralph Shattuck who lives in Arizona state.
If you switch to the disccussion thread titled "Odd 1900 Swiss For Sale", you can read Ron Wood's opinion about serial # 3283. Ron has many years of luger collecting experience; so I learn alot from him.
I received a private e-mail from # 3822's owner, who also believes it to be a factory hybrid or presentation piece.
But you are correct, no documentation has been put forth to confirm their "opinions".
I am also reminded of those odd 1906/1929 W+F transitional lugers (I think only 2-3 made) shown in V. Bobba's book on pages 140-145 that are a hybird of two luger models. Maybe the guys at Bern had a few crazy weeks in the 1933-1938 timeframe where they got "creative" with old and new parts lying around...(but this is just a WAG on my part...).
As to your question of "why" anyone would do such a thing...maybe the answer was simply because they could and had a plethora of parts to choose from...
Next time I am in Arizona on business, I will try to make an appointment to see pistol # 3822 in person and will report my impressions...
Regards,
Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />