[Guest]

It is my understanding that the large trigger (full guard width) is considered scarce and was fitted sporadically (?) between serial numbers 3,900 and 5,000; i.e., 3rd series, 5th variation. I'm the current caretaker for one of these pieces in the 4,600 sn range, and I'd like to learn more about it (I do have Bobba's book, by the way).

Two questions arise for our knowledgable forum participants, please:
1. Has this serial number range been refined any further, and is it learned estimate or ..... ?
2. How many large trigger models were made, and again, is this a learned "best" estimate or a documented fact?

I appreciate any and all of your thoughts with thanks.

Roger S.

 

[Joop van de Kant]

Roger,

Being a collector of Swiss arms, specially the Parabellum, I have had the same problem concerning identification and trying to determinate the variations of the Model 1900 into clear and understandable groups of serial #'s.

Far from being an expert (my knowledge comes from books and talking to fellow collectors, also in Switserland) I do now believe that it is almost impossible to find the information you ask for.

According to Bobba and also to Reinhart/Meier (Pistolen und Revolver der Schweiz seit 1720 - published by Verlag Stocker-Schmid 1998) the 5000 Lugers delivered by DWM to the Swiss Army were send 'in the blank' and only stamped with a serial # by the Swiss just before distribution. It is now believed that the Swiss did not try to keep the variations in the trigger, toggle safety, security lever and locking bolt of the shipments of 1905 and 1906 (between #3556 and #5000) perfectly into the order they were received, when applying their stamps.

In Reinhart/Meier (who had free access to the files of W+F in Bern) it is stated about Pistole 1900 on page 178 (I try to translate from German language):
".... There are several variations of the pistol identified by the shape of the security-lever, the locking bolt, and the trigger. The range of serial numbers for each of those single variations were not officially registered."

I therefore believe that the three different variations cannot be pinned down to reliable defined series of #'s.

Not much of a help, and certainly not what you asked for. But may be you could note every # you find in books, auctions and forums of the variation like you have, and so drop to a conclusion about the rarity of it 'in the hard way'...

Good luck,

 

[Ron Wood]

Roger,

I believe this serial number range is a learned "best" estimate based on observed examples. For years it was stated that the wide trigger variation was found only in the 4000 serial number range. Obviously existing examples have expanded this range somewhat. I can expand it even further as I own #3185. I think that you are correct that the wide trigger was fitted sporadically, and, as Joop has stated, this variation cannot be pinned down to a reliable defined series of #'s.

Regards,
Ron

 

[Pete E.]

Hi Ron,

Is the frame and tirgger guard area of the Swiss WT models different and unique that will only allow the fitting of the WT or is it possible to have a luger (in the right serial number range..) that originally did not have a WT get one added...assuming the serial numbers matched or was force-matched...???

 

[Ron Wood]

Pete,
There is no difference in frames. As you have stated, the wide trigger could be installed in any standard frame.

 

[PAOLO]

People
the wide trigger is the only way for letting the left hand shooters to be able to shoot a 1900 Luger(the standard trigger is too right placed inside the guard).So I believe it will be very difficult to identificate a serial range where all the WT guns are placed!

 

[hessri]

Dear Collectors

If in fact the wide trigger was utilized to aid left hand shooters, then the number would be around 500 pistols. Left handed people represent only about 10% of the general population. If the total number of initial issue of 1900 Swiss pistols is 5000 then around 500 would have been fitted with the wide trigger.

Finally, I currently own # 4181 which has a wide trigger and have seen severval in Germany in the 4000 serial number range. I have observed that the serial numbers on the barrel appear to be different (larger) than those of DWM which supports the theory that they were number in Switzerland after deliever by DWM in the "white".

regards

r. hess
haymarket, va

 

[Pete E.]

Hi Roger and Ralph,

How about posting up some photos of your Wide Triggers ?

If you need help with file size and posting, send them to me at [email protected] and I can post them up for you.

 

[Joop van de Kant]

Ralph,

You have a very understandable theory there, might indeed be what was decided some 103 years ago...
My wide triggered Swiss has SN# 4066. May be we could narrow the range if more collectors would pass their SN's. Please have a look at my (old) post here above, you will notice that the Swiss indeed received the last batches of the 1900 models 'in the white'. The size of the serial numbers is therefore different from the DWM pattern.