Swiss M1900 Luger (Serial # 555)

Pete Ebbink · 10-06-2004, 03:18 PM

Here are some photos of my M1900 Swiss Luger, serial # 555...about as early a Swiss M1900 as my budget will allow...for now.

Its serial # 555 means it it was in the first batch of production Lugers ever made by DMW...probably in the 1901 or 1902 timeframe.

It has the relieved magazine follower feedway in the frame. The rear sight was partially shaped to a "u" shape and the front sight was replaced with one stamped "+"...maybe for an aim-of-sight adjustment.

I think the finish is original...with the exception of the extractor...which I think was restrawed.

Enjoy the photos...let me know if you see something not right...

Regards,

Pete...

Pete Ebbink · 10-06-2004, 03:19 PM

Pete Ebbink · 10-06-2004, 03:20 PM

pisto · 10-06-2004, 04:22 PM

Pete, thanks for sharing that pics with us! (they are already stored in my Luger files now!
A quite early and rare one - congradulations!

Very interesting to see that position of the leaf spring!
Some people unfortunatedly alternated the rear and front sights.
This was probably done after the gun was privatisized to get better results during reservist target practise.
This policy was created by the Swiss army for the front sights on privatesized Lugers.
"Verzeichnis der bewilligten Hilfsmittel zu Oronnanz- und ordonnanzÃ?Â¤hnlichen Waffen im SchieÃ??wesen auÃ??er Dienst."
They allowed a front sight with 2mm. So that appears often, until the Model 06/29 was designed with the U-sight.
The extractor however looks correct to me, as far as I can see?
Is it privatisized with a P and last 2 digits of the year ?

Ron Wood · 10-06-2004, 05:03 PM

THE classic Luger and a beautiful example. The finish is original to my eye, the machining of the polished safety area is exactly as it should be. I think I would go along with Roland in observing that the extractor is probably OK too. Since the extractor rarely comes in contact with your hands, the straw color holds up rather well as compared to the other strawed parts.

You have done well...again!

Pete Ebbink · 10-06-2004, 07:09 PM

Thanks, Guys...

The gun is not P-xx stamped anywhere...neither is it import stamped (with USA importer stamps).

I forgot to take photos of the front of the trigger guard and barrel underside...to show serial numbers and witness marks (there is one clean strike across the barrel shoulder and the receiver...). I will take a few more photos this weekend and post...serial number really is "555"...with lots of "55" on the correct parts.

Regards,

Pete...

panda · 10-07-2004, 09:50 AM

Congratulations Pete!

Pete Ebbink · 10-10-2004, 10:15 PM

Here are the photos I had forgotten, previously :

pisto · 10-14-2004, 02:41 PM

Pete,
great pictures again!
is the holster matching to the gun? Same year? Did they make those Magazine on top holsters so early?
You can be happy that there is not a import stamp!

Pete Ebbink · 10-14-2004, 06:17 PM

Hi Roland,

The holster is actually dated '23 and better suited for my 1906 or 1906 W+F lugers.

I am looking for an early dated M1900 Swiss holster...but that may take a while to find.

With the little bit of extra width of the M1900 dished toggles knobs, my M1900 luger will not fit easily into this '23 holster, especially the last inch of two of travel. I think the M1906 lugers with their flat, checkered toggle knobs are a bit more narrow than the M1900's.

Regarding the addition of the magazine pouch on top...since I assume this was an add-on at the descretion of the gun and holster owner...my guess is that you could see them added on any Swiss holster in this time frame. Just a WAG, though...

Regards,

Pete...

Pete Ebbink · 11-05-2004, 10:34 PM

Well...thanks to a very kind advanced collector, a very nice '04 dated early Swiss holster is on its way to my home. Note this was before the metal rivots appeared on the Swiss holsters.

Here are a couple of photos :

Regards,

Pete...

pisto · 11-06-2004, 03:50 PM

Pete,
congradulations to that beautiful holster !!
Excellent example and looking as new!

I got back from a collector right now in the Black Forrest and could find a Rutsch book! he will not sell it but I can read it!

the gunman · 11-06-2004, 08:47 PM

Very very nice Pete .I long for one one these and have hopes of on day finding one. sure hope it will look like yours.Beautful just beautful.

10-06-2004, 03:18 PM	#1
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Swiss M1900 Luger (Serial # 555) Here are some photos of my M1900 Swiss Luger, serial # 555...about as early a Swiss M1900 as my budget will allow...for now. Its serial # 555 means it it was in the first batch of production Lugers ever made by DMW...probably in the 1901 or 1902 timeframe. It has the relieved magazine follower feedway in the frame. The rear sight was partially shaped to a "u" shape and the front sight was replaced with one stamped "+"...maybe for an aim-of-sight adjustment. I think the finish is original...with the exception of the extractor...which I think was restrawed. Enjoy the photos...let me know if you see something not right... Regards, Pete... Last edited by Pete Ebbink; 12-26-2004 at 01:55 PM.

10-06-2004, 03:19 PM	#2
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Last edited by Pete Ebbink; 12-26-2004 at 01:58 PM.

10-06-2004, 03:20 PM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Last edited by Pete Ebbink; 12-26-2004 at 02:01 PM.

10-06-2004, 05:03 PM	#5
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,020 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,173 Times in 1,701 Posts	THE classic Luger and a beautiful example. The finish is original to my eye, the machining of the polished safety area is exactly as it should be. I think I would go along with Roland in observing that the extractor is probably OK too. Since the extractor rarely comes in contact with your hands, the straw color holds up rather well as compared to the other strawed parts. You have done well...again! __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

10-06-2004, 07:09 PM	#6
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks, Guys... The gun is not P-xx stamped anywhere...neither is it import stamped (with USA importer stamps). I forgot to take photos of the front of the trigger guard and barrel underside...to show serial numbers and witness marks (there is one clean strike across the barrel shoulder and the receiver...). I will take a few more photos this weekend and post...serial number really is "555"...with lots of "55" on the correct parts. Regards, Pete... Last edited by Pete Ebbink; 12-26-2004 at 02:04 PM.

10-06-2004, 04:22 PM	#4
pisto User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 228 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Pete, thanks for sharing that pics with us! (they are already stored in my Luger files now! A quite early and rare one - congradulations! Very interesting to see that position of the leaf spring! Some people unfortunatedly alternated the rear and front sights. This was probably done after the gun was privatisized to get better results during reservist target practise. This policy was created by the Swiss army for the front sights on privatesized Lugers. "Verzeichnis der bewilligten Hilfsmittel zu Oronnanz- und ordonnanzÃ?Â¤hnlichen Waffen im SchieÃ??wesen auÃ??er Dienst." They allowed a front sight with 2mm. So that appears often, until the Model 06/29 was designed with the U-sight. The extractor however looks correct to me, as far as I can see? Is it privatisized with a P and last 2 digits of the year ?

10-07-2004, 09:50 AM	#7
panda User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 148 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Congratulations Pete!

10-10-2004, 10:15 PM	#8
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Here are the photos I had forgotten, previously : Last edited by Pete Ebbink; 12-26-2004 at 02:03 PM.

10-14-2004, 02:41 PM	#9
pisto User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 228 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Pete, great pictures again! is the holster matching to the gun? Same year? Did they make those Magazine on top holsters so early? You can be happy that there is not a import stamp!

10-14-2004, 06:17 PM	#10
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hi Roland, The holster is actually dated '23 and better suited for my 1906 or 1906 W+F lugers. I am looking for an early dated M1900 Swiss holster...but that may take a while to find. With the little bit of extra width of the M1900 dished toggles knobs, my M1900 luger will not fit easily into this '23 holster, especially the last inch of two of travel. I think the M1906 lugers with their flat, checkered toggle knobs are a bit more narrow than the M1900's. Regarding the addition of the magazine pouch on top...since I assume this was an add-on at the descretion of the gun and holster owner...my guess is that you could see them added on any Swiss holster in this time frame. Just a WAG, though... Regards, Pete... Last edited by Pete Ebbink; 12-26-2004 at 02:03 PM.

11-05-2004, 10:34 PM	#11
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Well...thanks to a very kind advanced collector, a very nice '04 dated early Swiss holster is on its way to my home. Note this was before the metal rivots appeared on the Swiss holsters. Here are a couple of photos : Regards, Pete...

11-06-2004, 03:50 PM	#12
pisto User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 228 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Pete, congradulations to that beautiful holster !! Excellent example and looking as new! I got back from a collector right now in the Black Forrest and could find a Rutsch book! he will not sell it but I can read it!

11-06-2004, 08:47 PM	#13
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Very very nice Pete .I long for one one these and have hopes of on day finding one. sure hope it will look like yours.Beautful just beautful.