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LOT 1343
Frankenschloss-Suhl Rework Lithuanian Marked DWM Model 1920 Luger Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 2223C, 7.65 mm Luger Auto cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. This is indeed a very unusual Luger pistol with little documented facts on it’s history.
This pistol is an early 1920s
era commercial Luger as
manufactured by the DWM
factory, that has been
rebarreled and reproofed in 7.65mm. The right of the
barrel extension is stamped “FRANKENSCHLOSS- SUHL” in
small letters next to an “Eagle/N” proof mark and a Lithuanian crest is marked on top of the chamber area, referred to as the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, as seen on the Lithuanian contract Browning High Power pistols and attributed to Lithuanian military and police weapons. While no
firm evidence has been found on these markings, one working theory was that the Lithuanians purchased the pistols during the Weimar era and then contracted with Frankenschloss to rebarrel the pistols sometime between 1933 and 1939. There is no documented proof on this theory, however several have been reported over the years, with the story being that they were liberated during the post Cold War years from Lithuanian
Border Guards. Standard DWM toggle marking, a single “Crown/N” commercial proof mark on the left of the barrel extension, the underside of the barrel is marked with “Eagle/N” and “Eagle/J” proof marks next to “CAL. 7,65”. The front of
the frame has the full serial number with
the matching last two digits marked in a
commercial manner on various small parts including the inside of both checkered walnut grip panels, with no barrel or barrel extension numbers, and “50” marked on the walnut base of the nickel plated magazine. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% arsenal refurbished blue finish with some very light edge wear, and clear markings. Grips are fine with some moderate handling marks and defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 1344
Bolivian Contract DWM
Model 1908 Luger Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. 59148, 9 mm Luger cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. This is a representative example professionally
configured to resemble the 200 Model 1908 pistols that were
delivered to the Bolivian Government in 1913. Very few of the
true examples of these pistols survived the harsh conditions
experienced in the Jungles of Bolivia. These were produced using the Model 1908 Commercial Luger as the basis, with some very distinct features found only on Bolivian contract Lugers; all are without the hold open device, the safety area is professionally remarked “SEGURO” with “CARGADO” on the left of the extractor. The national crest
of Bolivia is marked on top of the chamber area, with “EJERCITO/DE/BOLIVIA” (Army of
Bolivia) on the right of the frame. It has the standard “DWM” logo on the front toggle area,
“Crown/N” commercial proofs on the left of the barrel extension, underside of the barrel, left
of the breech bolt and front toggle. It is correctly numbered in the commercial manner with
the full number on the front of the frame and underside of the barrel as well as the underside of
the barrel extension and recoil lug, with
the last two digits visible on various small
parts. It is fitted with a set of unnumbered
replacement checkered walnut grips and
has an unmarked Luger magazine with an
unmarked aluminum base.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally
restored with various applied markings,
retaining 85% refinished blue finish with some areas of light thinning and edge wear. 70% straw colors visible on small parts. Replacement grips are fine with very light wear and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
arsenal restamped partial numbers matching the frame serial number of “3503E” visible on the barrel extension, sideplate, takedown lever and various components, and unnumbered replacement checkered walnut grips and aluminum magazine with unmarked walnut base. Includes a board shoulder stock with number “4979” marked in the wood (another number is punched out) and on the attaching iron, and unmarked brown leather holster containing a cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% arsenal refurbished blue finish with scattered edge wear, and arsenal renumbered components as mentioned above. Replacement grips are also very fine with light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Included stock is fine, holster is very fine. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 1346
DWM Commercial Model 1900 Luger Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 18767, 7.65 mm Luger Auto
cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. These
Model 1900 pistols were the first true commercial Luger pistols
produced by DWM and can be found in the 2000-19000 serial
number range, with this being a very late production example
bearing serial number 18767. It has the standard blank chamber area with the
DWM logo on the front toggle. The pistol has no visible German proofs. The majority
of these pistols ended up on the U.S. market. This pistol has all the early desirable
Luger features such as the early long frame, dished toggles with toggle lock on the
right side, recessed breechblock, 4 3/4 inch fast tapered barrel, grip safety, no stock lug,
and this example has been fitted with the later hold-open device. The lower safety area is
correctly unmarked and polished. “GERMANY” marked on the front of the frame, and “12” on
the left of the barrel extension. It is correctly serial numbered in the commercial fashion with
the full matching serial number under the barrel and on the front of the frame, and the partial
matching serial number visible on various components, with non-matching numbered sideplate and
unnumbered grips. It is complete with one original magazine with the nickel-plated body and an unnumbered wooden base. Knowledgeable collectors have concluded that this is a Portuguese 1900 test Luger with the
number “12” indicating the number of the test gun.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% original
blue finish with extensive scattered
patches of light to moderate pitting and
smooth brown patina on the balance.
Grips are very good with some handling
marks and dents. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500 307
LOT 1345
World War I German DWM Model 1914 Artillery Luger Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Board Shoulder Stock and Holster - Serial no. 3503E, 9 mm Luger cal., 7 7/8
inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. “1918” dated chamber and “DWM” monogram on the toggle link. Blade front
and tangent rear sights. Three “crown” and gothic letter military
proofs and an Imperial eagle firing proof on the right of the barrel extension, with the Imperial eagle on the barrel and breech block. “1197b” marked on the replacement barrel, with