Alphabet Commercial i suffix (long)

[Dwight Gruber]

Part 3 of 5

Commercial New Model i suffix Parabellum

DWM assembled a scant handful of grip-safety New Model commercial Parabellums in the i suffix serial range. These pistols have short frames, with unmarked chambers. Their thumb safety is stamped GESICHERT in the lower position.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378207
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378207
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378207

Four of these pistols are reported in the Commercial Database, with the possibility of a fifth reported with incomplete details.

Standard i suffix Parabellum

Most of the pistols manufactured in the Alphabet Commercial range are standard Parabellum pistols, 9.5cm barrels in 7,65mm, with stock lug and lacking a grip safety. There are rare reports of conversion to P08 for police use.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378357
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378357

Sn 4721i was converted to a P08 for police use by being rebarrelled with a 10cm, 9mm barrel at some unknown time. The conversion happened in or near Berlin, denoted by the commercial c/N proof on the barrel. The pistol is chamber stamped with the 1920 property mark, an anachronism as it was made long after the stamp was required. It has a sear safety mounted, and it once had a magazine safety which has been completely removed.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378357

This pistol is unit marked after 1922 to the Berlin police. S.B.O.I.R.341: Schutzpolizei Berlin, (Gruppe) Ost (East Precinct), First Inspectorate (either Weißensee or Lichtenberg), Revierpolizei (Precinct Police), weapon number 341. This mark was cancelled and re-marked S.B.13371 (Schutzpolizei Berlin weapon number 13371) when the Berlin weapons inventory system was revised in 1932. (Thanks to Don Maus for the full unit mark translation.)

There are four i suffix police P08 conversions reported in the Commercial Database; two of them are unit marked under the 1922 regulations to the Schupo of Hannover.