Swiss model 1900 #1

[Imperial Arms]

Hello Herbert,

The pistol represented on page 51 of LAR (I believe that it is serial #39) is probably an early pistol that was made/assembled after the British Trails of 1901 by reason of the fact that it has a radius toggle link and normal grips. It would be interesting to find out if it has a longer firing pin with a double firing pin retainer spring or a single one with the shorter firing pin. If I had to make a logical theory on this pistol, it could have been a another/second specimen delivered to England to demonstrate the small improvements that DWM was making on these early pistols concurrently with the production of the Swiss contract pistols which had not yet been delivered to Switzerland. This pistol could be an intermediatory pistol between the British Trails pistols and the true M1900 Luger pistol, but I could be wrong. The so-called 'retro-fitting' was made by DWM and it first appeared on the British Trail pistols because during the Swiss trails of 1898 and 1899, some of the square links on the pre-production pistols cracked where it was weak at the square corner. The same problem happened on the Mauser C96 prototype pistol where the extractor would hit the top of the upper receiver when the bolt was in the furthest rear position, but Mauser was very quick to observe the weakness and immediately improved this area to a radius for enforcement. It is very interesting to observe that the early 'System Mauser' pistols have a radius at the rear of the ejection port. Many collectors would not notice this detail without comparing the prototype and a 'System Mauser' pistol in their hand. On the other hand, DWM had already made 100 or so upper receivers (with square links) and nothing was discarded from stock. If they could use it later - they used it!

It is interesting to note that the six or so pistols delivered to England did NOT have the 'GL' hallmark which is also absent from this pistol. Is it a coincidence that serial #26 and this pistol both have a replaced sear bar which is strawed?

It was common/normal practice for German weapons manufactures to use old parts in later pistols and this probably explains why this pistol has a blank toggle and a Swiss cross on the chamber. Some collectors have questioned the authenticity and originality of the pistol on page 51, but I cannot give a good opinion without additional images or someday examining the pistol in my hands.

You brought up a good topic to the surface regarding this pistol which has helped with the expansion of knowledge and research. It is important to examine pistols and their history from realistic angles while using a logical frame of mind.

Cheers,
Albert