The M1906 Russian Contract Controversy Strikes Again

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by Imperial Arms

Hi Norm,

Your theory might be a neat story, but it is a very long shot. I doubt that DWM would sell pistols destined for the Russian civilian market (via a Russian dealer) which were previously for sale to a foreign country.

In ref to your comments above; what makes you feel this was a Bulgarian that went to Russia? That falls in line with your theory. Your theory is not proven, so you can't say that the russian commercial theory is wrong, when it would have to rely on your theory being correct, which is not proven?

[Imperial Arms]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

In ref to your comments above; what makes you feel this was a Bulgarian that went to Russia? That falls in line with your theory. Your theory is not proven, so you can't say that the russian commercial theory is wrong, when it would have to rely on your theory being correct, which is not proven?

Edward, you do not seem to understand my response to Norm's comment. I do not see any reason why the DWM factory would decide to sell (Bulgarian) Luger pistols with CONTRACT CHARACTERISTICS to a Russian dealer for sales on the commercial market, even if these pistols were assumed to be surplus military firearms. If a Russian buyer would ask what is the reason/purpose of these obscure markings, what would you expect the Russian dealer to say? "Sorry, those Germans f***ed up and decided to sell us these (Bulgarian) pistols as rejects. Why not just offer a standard commercial Luger - which is exactly described in a Russian dealers catalog from 1906 that I have in my archive, the pistol being a M1900 in caliber 7,65 mm. Could this listing in the catalog be the sale/delivery of the M1900 Russian Lugers with the crossed rifles on the chamber? By the way, notice the M1902 carbine with crossed rifles on the chamber!!

Obviously, it is difficult for some collectors to rationalize without fully understanding the culture and traditions of Imperial Germany. Without being racist, Americans will continue to think like Americans and often go along with 'knee-jerk' reactions. The American mentality in regards to the firearms industry is quite different from the German way in the past and the present.

Albert