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LOT 433
Unique Persian/Iranian Contract Mauser Luger Cutaway
Pistol with Custom Inlaid Case and Accessories - NSN,
9 mm cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This
is an exceptionally scarce and equally outstanding example
of an Iranian/Persian contract Mauser cutaway Luger pistol.
While about 2,000 Lugers were made in “short” (P.08) and
“long” (Artillery) configurations for the government of Iran,
per page 619 of “Pistole Parabellum Volume II” by Gortz and
Sturgess only about 50 training cutaways were made. Few of
those cutaways are believed to have left Iran, and they are
rarely seen on the American market. Overall configuration is
typical for a P.08 “short” Luger, with the addition of viewing
windows in the barrel, extension, breech assembly, frame,
trigger, sideplate and grips to expose the internal function of
the weapon. The “Persian Lion” is properly absent. The grips
are unnumbered, otherwise all the various parts are correctly
marked with the Eastern Arabic numerals for serial number
“17”, except the barrel which is numbered in English “10/7246”
and the trigger which is also marked “U” on the right side.
Included with the pistol is a finely inlaid case with French-cut
interior spaces for the (included) “eagle/655” marked loading
tool and “A.MUFF” front sight adjustment tool, as well as a
modern plastic inert cartridge.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 90% of the arsenal refurbished
blue finish, showing mild wear and handling marks overall,
as well as some covered pitting. Some of the cuts have been
blued, and others have been left bright. 98% straw colors
are present on the small parts, and the grips are also very
fine with some dings on the otherwise crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. The custom inlaid case has a
damaged hinge and the tools show minor spotting, otherwise
the accessories are in very good order.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
According to "Pistole Parabellum Volume II"
by Gortz and Sturgess, about 50 Mauser
Cutaway pistols were produced for the Persian
Contract.