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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK WEIMAR AND EARLY NAZI LUGERS AND THEIR ACCESSORIES BY STILL
LOT 3425
Rare Documented DWM Model 1902 Army Test Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol Photographed in Jan Still’s “Weimar and Early Nazi Lugers and their Accessories” -
Serial no. 22362, 9 mm Luger cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is an excellent example of a rare Model 1902 test Luger as produced by the DWM factory, as part of a small lot of approximately 50 reportedly made for early Royal Prussian Army tests in 1903 and 1904, at the time the Luger pistol was being considered for acceptance. This exact pistol is photographed on page 231 of the book “Weimar and Early Nazi Lugers and their Accessories” by Jan C. Still, in which it indicates this 1902 test Luger also has the addition of a sear safety that was later installed for police use, reportedly performed on a number of other examples of these pistols. Page 206-207 of the book elaborates on these police issued Lugers and states, “The 1902 and 1908 Commercial Army and many of the Imperial Army Lugers bearing the sear safety lack police unit markings
and the magazine safety which were eliminated from police service during 1937. These Lugers were probably introduced into police service from storage, after 1937, when only the sear safety was required.”The lot is also accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from noted author Jan C. Still’s family verifying it was
in his personal collection. These pistols are typically seen in the serial number range of 22300-22400, and have all the early characteristics of the
1902 design with the dished toggles with toggle lock on the right side, flat recessed breech block, grip safety, with this example being in 9mm
Luger (Parabellum) caliber with a 4 inch barrel. There are no factory markings on these Lugers. Full serial number “22362” marked on the frame, receiver, and underside of the barrel,
with the last 2-3 digits of the serial number on
various small parts. The small components are finished in straw and the pistol is fitted with checkered walnut grips, and a nickel finished magazine with walnut base stamped
“Cal 9m/m” on bottom.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% original blue finish with some
edge wear, handling marks and patches of light freckling. 70%
original straw colors remain on the small components. Grips are also excellent
with a few light handling marks and defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare Luger variant worthy of any advanced
early military pistol collection!
Provenance: The Jan C. Still Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500 297