[Maestro]

Bulgarian 7-Shot "Georg Luger" Marked Prototype Baby Luger

Estimated $65,000 to $95,000!!! "Ouch"

Description: This is a beautiful, all original and unaltered example of a super rare 7-shot, "Baby Luger" pistol. These have always been highly sought after by all Luger collectors, because of their uniqueness and association with Georg Luger. This rare pistol has the correct letter "B" suffix in the serial number, denoting it as a prototype Luger made personally by, or under the direct supervision of Georg Luger, and is possibly the "only" known example with the 3 1/4 inch length barrel. This rare pistol has an original "Bulgarian crest" over the chamber and it is believed that this specific pistol was made expressly by Georg Luger as a gift in connection with the Bulgarian Luger contracts. This is one of three original 7-shot "Baby Lugers" that are known to exist in the world today, with this example being the finest known example. It has the original and correct, intertwined "GL" monogram, for "Georg Luger" stamped on the back side of the rear toggle. To shorten the overall length of the frame during the manufacturing process, the original grip straps were cut and welded back together by the DWM factory, with the back side of the front grip strap also featuring a small reinforcing patch, obviously to strengthen the front grip strap, which was also done by the DWM factory. This is why these pistols were personally built by Georg Luger. The original matching numbered grips were also cut in two in the center and then spliced back together to fit the shorter frame. The workmanship on both areas is impeccable, as only could be performed by the DWM factory. This exceptional Luger has an original "7-Shot" magazine manufactured specifically for this pistol and is not a cut-down longer magazine. This Luger is such a historically significantly, example of a rare 7-shot "Baby Luger" pistol, it was featured on the cover and on four pages (58 through 61) of "Luger: The Multi-National Pistol", by Ellis/Kenyon. Writer is very familiar with this truly historical and extremely rare prototype Luger pistol and believes it to be next in line of importance to the 45 Luger.
Condition: Excellent. The pistol retains 97% original blue finish. The small components retain 85% original straw color. The grips are also excellent with some light wear and a few nicks in the otherwise crisp checkering, and showing a beautiful wood grain. The magazine is excellent. The mechanics are crisp and all the numbered parts match. This rare and spectacular pistol is certainly a "One of a Kind" Luger, that is such a historically significant and important weapon it would be the center piece of any advanced Luger or military collection, certainly for the discriminating high-end collector.