1906/24 Bern in 9mm

Pete Ebbink · 08-16-2005, 06:44 PM

Hi Chuck,

Your report of a M1906/24 W+F Bern luger in 9mm is a surprise, but then, again, not one.

I have noticed 1-2 '24 Bern's on Ralph Shattuck's tables at the past few Reno gun shows that were un-questionably reblued lugers and the origin of the barrels was a question; at least in my mind.

I would guess such a '24 Bern in 9 mm has had a barrel replacement since it left the factory in CH.

I have 6-7 books dedicated to Swiss lugers and none mentions the existence of a '24 Bern in 9 mm. I would challenged the claim that there are 100 such lugers in 9 mm...reportedly made to you by Ralph. If 100 '24 Berns in 9mm were factory made...why did the authors that did extensive research not find evidence of such pieces...???

Author V. Bobba metions two possible 9mm lugers in the M1906 DWM Swiss cross/shield variety. Authors Reinhart/Rhyn in their book "Faustfeuerwaffen II" shows one of these cross/shields on pages 78-79. Shattuck is correct in citing 2 examples in 9 mm...but these are M1906 DWM Swiss cross/shields and not '24 Bern lugers.

These authors and the others do not ever mention a '24 Bern in 9mm that left the factory that way. As you may not know, exacting factory records were left at the Bern factory from 1900 through 1947; through which many of these authors scoured during their research for their books.

There were some transitional/prototype lugers made after the '24 production run that have features of both '24 Berns and '29 Berns. Those are documented to run from # 33090 through 33093 and more recently have been extended by a magazine article in Italy beyond # 33093. At least # 33092 is photographed in Datig's old book "Monograph IV - The Swiss Variations" as being in 9 mm.

Again, there is no previously published evidence of a true '24 Bern in 9mm that left the Swiss factory that way.

Regarding the M1929 Bern lugers; more and more 9mm specimens have been showing up at USA gun shows (I saw 4 on one table at the big Tulsa show a year or so ago...)...none in gun fairs in Europen during the same tiem frame. Although a few 9mm M1929's left the factory that way and are well documented...it is a sad conclusion that Waffenwafrik-USA is busy refitting M1929 Swiss lugers with 9 mm barrels. Maybe now these mechanics have moved on to '24 Berns.

Look forward to seeing your photos...

08-16-2005, 06:44 PM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Hi Chuck, Your report of a M1906/24 W+F Bern luger in 9mm is a surprise, but then, again, not one. I have noticed 1-2 '24 Bern's on Ralph Shattuck's tables at the past few Reno gun shows that were un-questionably reblued lugers and the origin of the barrels was a question; at least in my mind. I would guess such a '24 Bern in 9 mm has had a barrel replacement since it left the factory in CH. I have 6-7 books dedicated to Swiss lugers and none mentions the existence of a '24 Bern in 9 mm. I would challenged the claim that there are 100 such lugers in 9 mm...reportedly made to you by Ralph. If 100 '24 Berns in 9mm were factory made...why did the authors that did extensive research not find evidence of such pieces...??? Author V. Bobba metions two possible 9mm lugers in the M1906 DWM Swiss cross/shield variety. Authors Reinhart/Rhyn in their book "Faustfeuerwaffen II" shows one of these cross/shields on pages 78-79. Shattuck is correct in citing 2 examples in 9 mm...but these are M1906 DWM Swiss cross/shields and not '24 Bern lugers. These authors and the others do not ever mention a '24 Bern in 9mm that left the factory that way. As you may not know, exacting factory records were left at the Bern factory from 1900 through 1947; through which many of these authors scoured during their research for their books. There were some transitional/prototype lugers made after the '24 production run that have features of both '24 Berns and '29 Berns. Those are documented to run from # 33090 through 33093 and more recently have been extended by a magazine article in Italy beyond # 33093. At least # 33092 is photographed in Datig's old book "Monograph IV - The Swiss Variations" as being in 9 mm. Again, there is no previously published evidence of a true '24 Bern in 9mm that left the Swiss factory that way. Regarding the M1929 Bern lugers; more and more 9mm specimens have been showing up at USA gun shows (I saw 4 on one table at the big Tulsa show a year or so ago...)...none in gun fairs in Europen during the same tiem frame. Although a few 9mm M1929's left the factory that way and are well documented...it is a sad conclusion that Waffenwafrik-USA is busy refitting M1929 Swiss lugers with 9 mm barrels. Maybe now these mechanics have moved on to '24 Berns. Look forward to seeing your photos...