[Vlim]

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DWJ has (at last) tested the “Presentation Series” Krieghoff Parabellum (DWJ 09/2008). Reading between the lines, they were under-awed.

The series is limited to 200 units, numbered above the highest previously noted S/N (the test pistol was numbered 18001). The star, stamped on the front right hand side of the receiver denotes correctly that the pistol was not accepted by the Luftwaffe and therefore destined for commercial sale. The company logo is missing on the left side of the receiver.

A chip of metal had broken from the front of the ramp and the damage had been blued over. The fact that the stock lug is too wide to accept a standard stock would coincide with the original. One of the two magazines permanently failed to feed after the first three rounds, whereas the reserve mag functioned correctly. Other standard magazines would only fit into the grip with difficulty. The aluminium mag bases are newly manufactured, with numbers engraved, not stamped like on the originals. After test firing the gun, the pin retaining the middle toggle axle was missing.

Lugers that have seen service are still available at acceptable prices and a pistol, serviced overhauled and re-worked by a reputable gunsmith would likely look a lot better and definitely shoot just as well (if not better) than the Krieghoff.

--Patrick Villiers on Jan C. Still's forum.