Page 364 - 4093-BOOK1

362
LOT 408
Scarce and Excellent Commercial
Mauser “Banner” Marked 1936
Dated Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol
with Two Matching Magazines and a
Police Holster - Serial no. 4264V, 9 mm cal.,
4 inch round bbl., blue/straw finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured during Mauser’s quiet ramp-
up of military contract sidearms, this Luger is marked
and proofed for commercial sale, though sharing the same “1936” date and
“military pattern” serial numbering as the military pistols; while not itself a
military gun, these shared markings would have given Mauser some plausible
deniability if anyone had come around the factory asking questions. Fixed sights,
with the “1936” date on the chamber and the Mauser “banner” logo on the front toggle
link, and commercial “crown/crown/U” proofs on the left side of the chamber and the
breechblock. No proofmarks are present on the barrel, and no military or police pattern
proofs are present overall. As previously noted, numbering is in the military pattern, with
the safety, hold-open and firing pin left blank and the other parts matching, including
the grips and both of the included nickel finished alloy base magazines (neither has a “+”
spare magazine marking, and numbers are double stamped). Includes a brown leather flap holster
marked with a small “police eagle” and “H.EGER & LINDE/SCHMALKALDEN/1937” between the belt
loops and a takedown tool.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 97% of the original blue finish, showing bright wear on
the high edges and sides of the muzzle, some light handling marks around
the takedown lever and safety, and minor spotting on the gripstraps.
90% original straw colors are present on the small parts, with vivid
niter blue on the pins and screws. The grips are very fine, with mild
dings and scuffs concentrated on the right panel. The exceptionally
fine holster shows minor scuffing and verdigris overall, with a solid hinge
and tight stitching. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,500
LOT 407
Excellent Pre-World War II
German Luftwaffe Contract
“1936” Dated Krieghoff Luger
Semi-Automatic Pistol from the Jan
Still Luger Collection - Serial no. 6139,
9 mm Luger cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue/straw finish, plastic grips. Manufactured in
1936, this is one of approximately 7,400 Lugers made by Krieghoff that year for the
German Luftwaffe, with only 2,900 of that total having the “1936” chamber date marking
like this example, and the balance from the 1936 year being “S” date code marked and “36” date marked. These “1936”
marked pistols fall within the 4400-7500 serial number range and were part of the first contract for 10,000 pistols.
Serrated blade front and notch rear sights, “1936” chamber date, with the front toggle bearing the “H(anchor)K/KRIEGHOFF/
SUHL” marking. Luftwaffe drooped wing “eagle” and “eagle/2” proofed. Besides the non-matching Krieghoff “eagle/2” proofed
magazine closely numbered “6171” and the correct unnumbered checkered brown plastic grips, there are all matching visible serial numbers on the
frame, barrel, toggles, breech block, side plate, trigger and takedown lever. The lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from noted author Jan C.
Still’s family verifying it is from his personal collection.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% original blue finish and 60% original straw
colors, with some light holster type finish wear at the muzzle and leading
edges. Grips are also excellent with some minor handling marks and
crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Jan Still Luger Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500