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LOT 3590
Exceptionally Rare “Persian”
Contract Mauser Luger
Cutaway Pistol - NSN, 9 mm Luger cal., 3 7/8 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut checkered grips.
This is an exceptionally rare and equally outstanding example of an Iranian contract Mauser cutaway Luger pistol. These Iranian commercial contract Lugers were produced under two separate commercial
contracts, one in 1936 and the second in 1942, with 1,000 pistols ordered in each
contract and were made up with both short and long artillery barrel length Luger pistols. These are an extremely rare Luger as almost no examples were ever released by
the Government of Iran. This being a cutaway Persian contract example, it is estimated that 50 total were ever produced. According to Gortz and Sturgess on page 619 of “Pistole Parabellum, Volume II,” regarding the Persian cutaways, “...in a separate serial number block, presumably numbered from 1 to 50, were
50 cutaway instructional short P.08s...” As noted on all Persian contract Lugers, the numerals are in Eastern Arabic, except that there is no Iranian coat of arms on the top of the chamber area as most of that was sectioned away, and
it has cutaways in various areas to show the complete inner workings of the pistol. In all there are 22 different windows cutaway on both sides of the pistol which show how all the parts interface and function together. All the various parts
are correctly marked with the Eastern Arabic numerals for serial number 28, except the barrel which is numbered in English “18”. The left side of the barrel and right side of the trigger have a medium sized letter “U” proof similar to the
letter used on rejected parts. It is complete with the original “matching” number magazine. CONDITION: Excellent with 99% of the original blue finish overall. The various small parts retain 99% of their original straw colors with only minor fading. The grips are also excellent with nice sharp distinct
checkering on both sides and minimal handling marks. If this pistol was handled at all it wasn’t very much, as it has obviously been well cared for and remains in outstanding condition. An excellent example of a very rare Persian contract cutaway Luger pistol.
Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000
According to authors Gortz & Sturgess in "Pistole Parabellum, Volume II", regarding the Persian contract, included "...in a separate serial number block, presumably numbered from 1 to 50, were 50 cutaway instructional short P.08s..."
LOT 3591
Desirable Mauser Persian Contract Model 1934 Artillery Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol with Shoulder
Stock and Holster - NSN, 9 mm cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. A very fine example of one of only 1,000 “lange” barrel, or artillery model, Luger pistols ordered by the
Persian government in 1934. This contract was fulfilled from 1935- 1936 and also included 1,006 4 inch barreled Lugers. These pistols exhibit the same
high quality fit and finish exhibited by other Mauser-made Lugers, and truly show their willingness to please their customers through the personalized crests and set of Farsi
markings. The chamber area is marked with the Persian “crown/lion/sunburst” crest, a “crown/ crown/U” proof on the left of the barrel extension, and the remainder of the markings in Farsi,
and the numbering is in Eastern Arabic, with the full number (3925) on the receiver and frame, matching partial numbers on many components, a mixed magazine, and an unnumbered barrel and
grips. Included with the pistol is a mixed numbered hardwood shoulder stock with a brown leather flap holster, two-cell magazine pouch, shoulder strap, takedown tool, and cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% of the original blue finish, showing scattered light scratches and dings, bright edge wear,
the beginning of a gray patina on the gripstraps and minor spotting. 60% plus original straw color remains, with a bright gray patina on the grip screws and strong niter blue on the other components. Grips are fine, with
some dings and flat spots. The stock is very good, with mild dents and a mixed patina on the iron, and the leather accessories are very good with some cracking, tearing, and absent components. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
Only 1,000 "lange" barrel, or artillery model, Luger pistols were ordered by the Persian government in 1934.
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