[Guest]

Did DWM/BKIW furnish the Finns with Lugers only in 1923 or at other times? The Finns hung onto these pistols for a long time. They rebuilt and refinished them. Are the rebuilds typically mismatched and have plastic grips? Jim

 

[Dwight Gruber]

According to Still, Costanzo, et al Finnish Lugers were supplied by DWM/BKIW between 1923 and 1929; between 1930 and 1933 Lugers were provided by Mauser, some of them have the Banner trademark.

In my experience Finnish Lugers often have mismatched small parts, may be rebarrelled with Tikkakoski barrels manufactured in Finland, have a Parkerized or phosphated finish, and the sights are frequently modified with angular front sights and filed-notch rear.

Original grips are wood, with a circular brass disc inset in the right grip for a property or unit mark. These are usually found with the disc removed. According to Still wood grips were replaced with plastic during rework. I do not know the characteristics of these plastic grips, and don't believe this plastic grip replacement was consistent, as I have seen reworks with wood grips.

--Dwight

 

[Guest]

Finnish defence forces have the Parabellum m/23 (cal 7.65 mm)in use 65 years, to the year 1986. Worn-out barrels were replaced by the Tikkakoski works. Arms depot work changed wooden grips to plastic, and wooden magazine bottom nut to plastic ones. several hundreds pistols converted to 9 mm caliber and tranferred to designation m/08.