Dutch Luger

[raygun]

Originally posted by Ron Wood
raygun,

Your 1906 pattern Dutch Luger is an M11 delivered as part of the second contract in August of 1912. It properly has a grip safety and the Crown over "W" ("Wilhelmina") proof will be found on the right side of the receiver. After this contract, the proof was moved to the left side of the receiver where it remained for subsequent contracts. This information is found on page 128 of TDL.

Ron I have had another look at it today under a strong magnifing glass and sure enough , the crown over a W proof is there on the right hand side of the receiver just behind the barrel -- so she is a 1912 for sure . I'm rapt . All numbered parts are matching. shame it has been rebarreled , but at least it was a service/ arsenal job and lets face it they were made to be used.

When the Japanese defeated the dutch in Indonesia in 1942 , many dutch servicemen were rescued by the Australian and allied navies . This is no doubt how it came to be in Australia . To me it has greater provenance to think it may have been used in the defence of our region .