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Vlim · 05-19-2012, 05:02 PM

Well, that is a long story, but basically they blundered. By the time that Mauser became aware of the mistake, the production of the first batch of parts was already underway and it was too late to change anything for the initial Interarms contract. Another problem with the 06/29 design was that the Swiss had altered the opening curve, tuned it to their own .30 luger round and standard barrel length. The result was a series of functioning problems with different calibers and barrel lenghts. This meant that Mauser initially stuck to the 2 variations that worked while they were busy solving the issues.

Mauser initially thought that using the Swiss version as a guideline would save development costs. In certain ways it did, but the result was not wat the customer (Interarms) expected.

They did succeed in producing a relatively cost-effective pistol, and would have gotten away with it, if the 1973 oil crisis had not interfered as well. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Rolf Gminder, who joined the company in 1969, just too late to have any major influence on the initial designs, many improvements were made and the company eventually managed to break-even, even make a small profit, on the whole adventure.

Interesting side note: DWM's successor, IWK, was also involved in the production of the pistol. They produced the toggle parts, including the breech block. That gives the pistol an interesting heritage, it bears the signatures of 3 of the original Parabellum manufacturers: Waffenfabrik Bern, DWM and Mauser. Also, it was not a mere reproduction, but rather a next evolutionary step in Parabellum development. Sadly, the last step. Mauser did introduce production features that none of the original manufacturers ever accomplished in the old days. Small parts were made to such tolerances that exchangeability was finally achieved, expensive machining of certain parts was dumped and castings were introduced in non-stress areas. The toggle pin was enlarged, superfluous features were deleted and after an initial hickup they even fixed the shifting of the side plates.

All in all, it was a continuation, not a reproduction.

05-19-2012, 05:02 PM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,032 Thanks: 1,018 Thanked 3,873 Times in 1,184 Posts	Well, that is a long story, but basically they blundered. By the time that Mauser became aware of the mistake, the production of the first batch of parts was already underway and it was too late to change anything for the initial Interarms contract. Another problem with the 06/29 design was that the Swiss had altered the opening curve, tuned it to their own .30 luger round and standard barrel length. The result was a series of functioning problems with different calibers and barrel lenghts. This meant that Mauser initially stuck to the 2 variations that worked while they were busy solving the issues. Mauser initially thought that using the Swiss version as a guideline would save development costs. In certain ways it did, but the result was not wat the customer (Interarms) expected. They did succeed in producing a relatively cost-effective pistol, and would have gotten away with it, if the 1973 oil crisis had not interfered as well. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Rolf Gminder, who joined the company in 1969, just too late to have any major influence on the initial designs, many improvements were made and the company eventually managed to break-even, even make a small profit, on the whole adventure. Interesting side note: DWM's successor, IWK, was also involved in the production of the pistol. They produced the toggle parts, including the breech block. That gives the pistol an interesting heritage, it bears the signatures of 3 of the original Parabellum manufacturers: Waffenfabrik Bern, DWM and Mauser. Also, it was not a mere reproduction, but rather a next evolutionary step in Parabellum development. Sadly, the last step. Mauser did introduce production features that none of the original manufacturers ever accomplished in the old days. Small parts were made to such tolerances that exchangeability was finally achieved, expensive machining of certain parts was dumped and castings were introduced in non-stress areas. The toggle pin was enlarged, superfluous features were deleted and after an initial hickup they even fixed the shifting of the side plates. All in all, it was a continuation, not a reproduction.