New Model Parabellum(1906) and its P 08 Commercial kin

[DonVoigt]

I received this 1906 9mm this week, and after a couple hours cleaning years of grunge and neglect, find it pretty decent.

It is one of the last 1906 models produced by serial number, 42678, and its close kin is a P 08 Commercial number 42,432; thus the P 08 was made before the 1906- maybe. Anyway, they likely both date to early 1909. Both with BUG proofing as seen on pistols sold in Germany and Europe.

42,678 is a matching, original finish pistol, has its original un-numbered grips, and likely its original magazine-showing the rectangular stab crimps.
The magazine suffered from neglect more than the pistol, though neither appears to have been cleaned or oiled in 50 or 100 years. Probably since brought back as a souvenir of WWI.
No way to know how it arrived here, but it has seen very little use-judging from the lack of common wear patterns.

Both 42,678 and 42,432 have a "hidden" surprise as they are marked "Pvr." in the magazine well. Likely meaning an officer's private purchase arm. I know someone, maybe Dwight, has a problem with "Pvr." as an abbreviation, but here it is twice; what else could it be? Sorry the one on the 1906 is fuzzy,
I'll have to replace it with a better one.

Enjoy the pictures, first the 1906 with grip safety; and then just one of the P 08 and its Pvr. marking.