Apologies, Cross in Sunburst, not Starburst!
buying this unusual 1906 Cross in Starburst from the Sturgess collection, explained in his book
I have been looking for one of these for some time and bought this unusual (sn 29550 is out of sequence for this pistol) one today on GB.
If possible, please confirm 1: if the seller's comments (not buffed or refinished) are accurate, and 2: if the story of this pistol (not completely understood but made after WW1 by DWM, then assembled and finished by the Swiss with military acceptance marks) starting on page 648 in The Borchardt and Luger Automatic Pistols book is still generally accepted or if the pistol's authenticity is now questioned.
Here is a link to the auction with all 38 photos:
Below is the seller's description and some of the 38 photos from the listing, thank you in advance for any comments, Joe.
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If possible, please confirm 1: if the seller's comments (not buffed or refinished) are accurate, and 2: if the story of this pistol (not completely understood but made after WW1 by DWM, then assembled and finished by the Swiss with military acceptance marks) starting on page 648 in The Borchardt and Luger Automatic Pistols book is still generally accepted or if the pistol's authenticity is now questioned.
Here is a link to the auction with all 38 photos:
Below is the seller's description and some of the 38 photos from the listing, thank you in advance for any comments, Joe.
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Thank you, Martin. I will attach the photos and text from the book below. I've read the text several times but can't say that I fully understand it. The last sentence seems contradictory or I just don't get it---that the pistol may be a reworked commercial pistol but shows no evidence of reworking---perhaps reworked but only before the pistol was finished by W+F.
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The background and context of this pistol is, in my opinion, completely unclear. Based on the stamping, it would have to be a Swiss Army Pistol 1900/06 - but the Swiss Army Pistol 1900/06 with this SN is from W+F and not from DWM (delivered to the Army on January 31, 1929).
A plausible explanation is not apparent to me - the considerations of Geoff Sturgess are interesting, but ultimately pure speculation.
I do not get the impression that the pistol has been reworked or is a forgery or fake of any form. I suspect it is all original, but very puzzling. I mean we have to live with the fact that the history of the gun is in the dark and possibly will remain there.
A very interesting pistol and certainly not too expensive (I would have definitely bought it for that price) - I would be happy to have it in my collection...
Alexander
A plausible explanation is not apparent to me - the considerations of Geoff Sturgess are interesting, but ultimately pure speculation.
I do not get the impression that the pistol has been reworked or is a forgery or fake of any form. I suspect it is all original, but very puzzling. I mean we have to live with the fact that the history of the gun is in the dark and possibly will remain there.
A very interesting pistol and certainly not too expensive (I would have definitely bought it for that price) - I would be happy to have it in my collection...
Alexander
Thank you, Mac.
If I recall, Dr. Sturgess also thought the pistol could have been made around 1906-1907 but was numbered in the DWM commercial serial range (which was then around 29550) instead of the Swiss military serial number range. (please see the attached text below from his book)
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Either the pistol was made around 1906-1907 for the Swiss military but with a commercial serial number or, as you mentioned, it was made in 1929 from a prewar set of DWM parts or a post-WW1 set of DWM parts---or---some other explanation we will never know.
Whichever is the case, it seems the pistol is not some kind of fake.
Thanks to all the members who made helpful comments! Joe.
If I recall, Dr. Sturgess also thought the pistol could have been made around 1906-1907 but was numbered in the DWM commercial serial range (which was then around 29550) instead of the Swiss military serial number range. (please see the attached text below from his book)
Either the pistol was made around 1906-1907 for the Swiss military but with a commercial serial number or, as you mentioned, it was made in 1929 from a prewar set of DWM parts or a post-WW1 set of DWM parts---or---some other explanation we will never know.
Whichever is the case, it seems the pistol is not some kind of fake.
Thanks to all the members who made helpful comments! Joe.
Thanks for your comments, below are some Cross in Sunburst-marked pistols as you mentioned at Simpson, Ltd, but none of them have military proofs, Joe.
DWM 1920 SWISS - D9659
30 LUGER; 94% blue, 90% straw, excellent bore, very good grips, 3 7/8'' barrel, Matching. Swiss Cross in Sunburst on chamber. Crown N proofs. Grip safety. F...
simpsonltd.com
DWM 1906 SWISS CROSS IN SUNBURST - C29113
30 Luger; 95% blue, 75% straw, excellent bore, good grips, 4.75'' barrel, Scarce "I" suffix Swiss commercial production by DWM circa 1920. Original blue fin...
simpsonltd.com
DWM 1920 SWISS - D10747
30 LUGER; 97% blue, 90% straw, excellent bore, very good grips, 3 7/8'' barrel, Matching numbers. Proper unmarked magazine. Cross in Sunburst on top of cham...
simpsonltd.com
DWM 1906 SWISS COMMERCIAL - C28605
30 Luger; 97% blue, 80% straw, very good bore, good grips, 4.75'' barrel, Original blue finish, strawed small parts and checkered walnut grips. Numbered par...
simpsonltd.com
I looked at these too, what's interesting is all of them have the relieved sear bar, even 87204, which is a 1920 Commercial. My 1906 DWM has no proofs at all except for a Swiss cross on the side of the barrel.Thanks for your comments, below are some Cross in Sunburst-marked pistols as you mentioned at Simpson, Ltd, but none of them have military proofs, Joe.
DWM 1920 SWISS - D9659
30 LUGER; 94% blue, 90% straw, excellent bore, very good grips, 3 7/8'' barrel, Matching. Swiss Cross in Sunburst on chamber. Crown N proofs. Grip safety. F...DWM 1906 SWISS CROSS IN SUNBURST - C29113
30 Luger; 95% blue, 75% straw, excellent bore, good grips, 4.75'' barrel, Scarce "I" suffix Swiss commercial production by DWM circa 1920. Original blue fin...DWM 1920 SWISS - D10747
30 LUGER; 97% blue, 90% straw, excellent bore, very good grips, 3 7/8'' barrel, Matching numbers. Proper unmarked magazine. Cross in Sunburst on top of cham...DWM 1906 SWISS COMMERCIAL - C28605
30 Luger; 97% blue, 80% straw, very good bore, good grips, 4.75'' barrel, Original blue finish, strawed small parts and checkered walnut grips. Numbered par...
mji1198
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