1906 Russian Luger on GunBroker

drbuster · 07-14-2005, 10:18 AM

Russian 1906 Lugers ARE rare! There is not much written about them. Nothing about them is in Stills "Luger triad", not even a listing on the commercial page in Imperial Lugers. The only thing I found is on page 239 of Walter's Luger Book. He believes they might have been for Czarist Officers and not an official Russian government issue due to the lack of the "Provnaya Kommisiya" proofmark. Also he mentions the lack of bayonets on the crossed Mosin-Nagant rifles as seen on the "authentic" FN-Brownings. It's a fascinating mystery. I have read that since the fall of the Soviet Union, that more of these might be surfacing, but the few that have been seen are either chrome plated or in poor condition. As for "Mel's" collection, I was lucky to acquire a "41" dated Mauser commercial with two matching magazines in near 100% condition at a past Reno show that had provenence from many "experts". He was known to have good stuff and I don't see any reason NOT to believe that this Russian example is totally authentic. I think the gripe here is with the price. Take a look at the recent web sites of several of the on-line dealers...we are seeing "Lugerflation". This is hot on the heels of "Coltflation".

07-14-2005, 10:18 AM	#6
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Russian 1906 Lugers ARE rare! There is not much written about them. Nothing about them is in Stills "Luger triad", not even a listing on the commercial page in Imperial Lugers. The only thing I found is on page 239 of Walter's Luger Book. He believes they might have been for Czarist Officers and not an official Russian government issue due to the lack of the "Provnaya Kommisiya" proofmark. Also he mentions the lack of bayonets on the crossed Mosin-Nagant rifles as seen on the "authentic" FN-Brownings. It's a fascinating mystery. I have read that since the fall of the Soviet Union, that more of these might be surfacing, but the few that have been seen are either chrome plated or in poor condition. As for "Mel's" collection, I was lucky to acquire a "41" dated Mauser commercial with two matching magazines in near 100% condition at a past Reno show that had provenence from many "experts". He was known to have good stuff and I don't see any reason NOT to believe that this Russian example is totally authentic. I think the gripe here is with the price. Take a look at the recent web sites of several of the on-line dealers...we are seeing "Lugerflation". This is hot on the heels of "Coltflation".