1908 Bulgarian

myky · 01-11-2011, 01:43 PM

ALL..... I HAVE A 1908 BULGARIAN ( ALL MATCHING INCLUDING MAG, ORIGINAL BLUE ) THAT HAS A PROOF ON THE RH RECIEVER THAT I DO NOT RECOGNIZE. ANY HELP FROM ANYONE ? THANKS BUNCHES !!

myky@ctesc.net

sheepherder · 01-11-2011, 02:32 PM

Nice! Could you show side pics??? I don't think I've ever seen the lanyard loop at the bottom of the grip frame...

John Sabato · 01-11-2011, 03:03 PM

Postino,

Only the Bulgarian contract Lugers had the lower grip placment of the lanyard loop if memory serves me correctly. Consequently no stock lug on these pistols.

myky,

Please don't type in all CAPS.

Ron Wood · 01-11-2011, 03:31 PM

Mike,
Nice looking Bulgarian!!! The Crown/GP is a British (London) proof. According to one reference I have, its use dates clear back to black powder days, since 1637. Evidently it spent some time in the land of tea and crumpets (seems a bit odd that it would have that particular proof).

deepdarkwoodsman · 01-11-2011, 04:04 PM

Hi guys:

I have attached some photos of my 1908 Bulgarian. This gun appears to have been through hell and back. I am sure it has action in multiple wars, and has been refinished at least once. There is no remaining straw and the DWM on the chamber was removed at some point. The grips are mismatched replacements, but otherwise all parts are matching except the magazine. The lanyard on the previous gun seems to be welded to the frame whereas mine swivels. I don't see the proof mark that was previously inquired about, but it may have been removed during a re-work.

I found this gun in West Virginia while my father was undergoing bypass surgery. I had some pretty tense hours of time to kill, so I purchased a free-ad publication in the hospital gift shop. This gun was advertised and I bought it. I consider it my dad's good luck charm. Even thought the gun is rough, I figured it may be a while before I come across another one in any condition.

Thanks for looking.

Doug

John Sabato · 01-11-2011, 04:26 PM

Hey Doug, Nice find. The corrosion on your ejector tells me that it might be the most likely part to fail if you shoot this gun. you might want to source a replacement ejector for shooting purposes.

myky · 01-11-2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

Mike,
Nice looking Bulgarian!!! The Crown/GP is a British (London) proof. According to one reference I have, its use dates clear back to black powder days, since 1637. Evidently it spent some time in the land of tea and crumpets (seems a bit odd that it would have that particular proof).

Ron..... you are the dean of the Luger Forum ! You always have the right answers..... Maybe it was captured in WW1 by the British ??? And I need to apolgize to Super Moderator John Sabato for YELLING...... sorry John......... : )

myky

myky · 01-11-2011, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Sabato

Postino,

Only the Bulgarian contract Lugers had the lower grip placment of the lanyard loop if memory serves me correctly. Consequently no stock lug on these pistols.

myky,

Please don't type in all CAPS.

Sorry John .......... for yelling........ : ) Didn't mean to scare you....... : )

Myky......

Vlim · 01-11-2011, 10:22 PM

The majority of these pistols were purchased from the Bulgarian government by Interarms, who had a warehouse in Manchester, UK. That might explain the British proof mark.

The guns that were in the worst condition were purchased by Erma in Germany, who appearantly lost quite a bit of money on the deal, because of the extensive reworking needed to create guns that were functional and safe to shoot.

MFC · 01-11-2011, 11:03 PM

Mike,
Beautiful 08 Bulgarian. Most of them are well used and mismatched. Yours must have been liberated very early.

myky · 01-12-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlim

The majority of these pistols were purchased from the Bulgarian government by Interarms, who had a warehouse in Manchester, UK. That might explain the British proof mark.

The guns that were in the worst condition were purchased by Erma in Germany, who appearantly lost quite a bit of money on the deal, because of the extensive reworking needed to create guns that were functional and safe to shoot.

Vlim...... thanks so much for the info ! I'm putting all the help like this with the gun so it's history will travel with it wherever it may go.

Myky

myky · 01-12-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MFC

Mike,
Beautiful 08 Bulgarian. Most of them are well used and mismatched. Yours must have been liberated very early.

If only it could talk...... maybe it was pulled aside by an inspector in England because of it's condition...... who knows ? I have never seen one with the matching, original, mag. Even to the small case letter " C"

Myky

Ron Wood · 01-12-2011, 01:10 PM

Just being picky Mike, but, contrary to the German lower case suffixes, these second contract Bulgarian Lugers had an upper case "C" suffix. Just another unique feature of this really out of the ordinary Luger variation. I thought I had a nice 2nd contract Bulgarian (273C) but yours blows it out of the water. I would really like to see more photos of the whole gun.

myky · 01-12-2011, 09:23 PM

RON..... I'M YELLING...... : ) My friend, let me know what angles and shots of the Bulgarian you need....... I'll try to get the best I can.... After 50 years of Luger collecting, and sifting through the " arm chair experts " you are still the " DEAN " of Lugers ! I admire your expertise and opinion.

myky.....

StarOfTheWest · 01-13-2011, 12:10 PM

Very nice!
But I think mine is prettier.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showpost...01&postcount=1

Best wishes to your Dad's speedy recovery!

A.Mifsin · 01-13-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarOfTheWest

Very nice!
But I think mine is prettier.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showpost...01&postcount=1

Best wishes to your Dad's speedy recovery!

The condition is better, for sure.

Alf.

Thor · 01-13-2011, 04:59 PM

myky, I keep telling Ron, he has a doctorate in Lugerology!

myky · 01-13-2011, 06:22 PM

I agree most whole heartedly ! He is one of the best ! No BS, just straight truth. ( Ron, are you going to Tulsa in April ? I've some items I'd like to show you...... )

Dem besten danke !! Tschuess !!

myky

myky · 01-13-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.Mifsin

The condition is better, for sure.

Alf.

Are you sure you scanned the right Luger ? : )
( Just kiddin' )

myky........

A.Mifsin · 01-14-2011, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myky

Are you sure you scanned the right Luger ? : )
( Just kiddin' )

myky........

myky, I was comparing with Doug's Luger.

.

Alf.

01-11-2011, 01:43 PM	#1
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	1908 Bulgarian ALL..... I HAVE A 1908 BULGARIAN ( ALL MATCHING INCLUDING MAG, ORIGINAL BLUE ) THAT HAS A PROOF ON THE RH RECIEVER THAT I DO NOT RECOGNIZE. ANY HELP FROM ANYONE ? THANKS BUNCHES !! myky@ctesc.net Attached Thumbnails __________________ myky

01-11-2011, 02:32 PM	#2
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts	Nice! Could you show side pics??? I don't think I've ever seen the lanyard loop at the bottom of the grip frame... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

01-11-2011, 03:03 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,152 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Postino, Only the Bulgarian contract Lugers had the lower grip placment of the lanyard loop if memory serves me correctly. Consequently no stock lug on these pistols. myky, Please don't type in all CAPS. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

01-11-2011, 03:31 PM	#4
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: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	Mike, Nice looking Bulgarian!!! The Crown/GP is a British (London) proof. According to one reference I have, its use dates clear back to black powder days, since 1637. Evidently it spent some time in the land of tea and crumpets (seems a bit odd that it would have that particular proof). __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

01-11-2011, 04:04 PM	#5
deepdarkwoodsman User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 38 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	Hi guys: I have attached some photos of my 1908 Bulgarian. This gun appears to have been through hell and back. I am sure it has action in multiple wars, and has been refinished at least once. There is no remaining straw and the DWM on the chamber was removed at some point. The grips are mismatched replacements, but otherwise all parts are matching except the magazine. The lanyard on the previous gun seems to be welded to the frame whereas mine swivels. I don't see the proof mark that was previously inquired about, but it may have been removed during a re-work. I found this gun in West Virginia while my father was undergoing bypass surgery. I had some pretty tense hours of time to kill, so I purchased a free-ad publication in the hospital gift shop. This gun was advertised and I bought it. I consider it my dad's good luck charm. Even thought the gun is rough, I figured it may be a while before I come across another one in any condition. Thanks for looking. Doug Attached Thumbnails

01-11-2011, 04:26 PM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,152 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Hey Doug, Nice find. The corrosion on your ejector tells me that it might be the most likely part to fail if you shoot this gun. you might want to source a replacement ejector for shooting purposes. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

01-11-2011, 10:22 PM	#9
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,047 Thanks: 1,034 Thanked 3,947 Times in 1,198 Posts	The majority of these pistols were purchased from the Bulgarian government by Interarms, who had a warehouse in Manchester, UK. That might explain the British proof mark. The guns that were in the worst condition were purchased by Erma in Germany, who appearantly lost quite a bit of money on the deal, because of the extensive reworking needed to create guns that were functional and safe to shoot.

01-11-2011, 11:03 PM	#10
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Mike, Beautiful 08 Bulgarian. Most of them are well used and mismatched. Yours must have been liberated very early. __________________ Mike C.

01-12-2011, 01:10 PM	#13
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: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	Just being picky Mike, but, contrary to the German lower case suffixes, these second contract Bulgarian Lugers had an upper case "C" suffix. Just another unique feature of this really out of the ordinary Luger variation. I thought I had a nice 2nd contract Bulgarian (273C) but yours blows it out of the water. I would really like to see more photos of the whole gun. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

01-12-2011, 09:23 PM	#14
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	1908 Bulgarian RON..... I'M YELLING...... : ) My friend, let me know what angles and shots of the Bulgarian you need....... I'll try to get the best I can.... After 50 years of Luger collecting, and sifting through the " arm chair experts " you are still the " DEAN " of Lugers ! I admire your expertise and opinion. myky..... __________________ myky

01-13-2011, 12:10 PM	#15
StarOfTheWest User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: East Texas, CSA Posts: 208 Thanks: 81 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	Very nice! But I think mine is prettier. http://forum.lugerforum.com/showpost...01&postcount=1 Best wishes to your Dad's speedy recovery! __________________ Sorry, I take that back. I have no problem with the horse you rode in on.

01-13-2011, 04:59 PM	#17
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	myky, I keep telling Ron, he has a doctorate in Lugerology! __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

01-13-2011, 06:22 PM	#18
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	1908 Bulgarian I agree most whole heartedly ! He is one of the best ! No BS, just straight truth. ( Ron, are you going to Tulsa in April ? I've some items I'd like to show you...... ) Dem besten danke !! Tschuess !! myky __________________ myky