Swiss Waffenfabrik Bern Luger 1906 7.6mm Semi Auto Pistol, Matching Numbers, C&R
Sold For: $2,220
Make: Waffenfabrik Bern
Model: Model 1906 Bern Luger
Serial Number: 19001
Year of Manufacture: 1918-1933 (Standard Catalog of Military Firearms)
Caliber: 7.63mm (.30 Luger)
Action Type: Toggle Action, Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver at the chamber is marked with a circled “+ / M”. The front toggle is marked with “+ / Waffenfabrik / BERN”. The right side of the receiver at the chamber is marked “+ P38”. The right side of the frame at the front of the trigger guard and the left side of the barrel at the receiver are marked “+”. The underside of the barrel and the front of the frame under the barrel are marked “19001”. The back side of the rear toggle is marked “01”. All of the previous markings on the pistol have been filled with white paint. The right side of the front sight is marked “. / +”. The underside of the left and right grip panels are marked “1”. The left side of the grip frame is marked “01” and the bottom of the right side is marked “L”.
Barrel Length: 4 11/16”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a “U” notch in the back of the toggle for a rear sight and a Patridge style blade front sight in a dovetail on a raised base on the front barrel band.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered walnut with smooth borders at the front and rear edges of the grips. The grips show no handling marks. The checkering shows very light wear with minor mars on the left grip. The grips fit tight to the frame and are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: The finish on the pistol is blued. The trigger, safety and takedown lever still retain their straw finish.
Finish Originality: We believe that the finish is original. The markings are sharp and clear. There are faint marks under the finish that are probably tool marks that were not completely polished out. However, there is a rough spot under the finish on the left side plate that appears to be erosion. At worst, it’s possible the pistol has been professionally restored.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its metal finish. The front edge of the barrel band shows thinning and the barrel shows a few light handling marks. There are a few scattered spots of pinprick surface erosion on the barrel, front strap and backstrap, and a tiny spot above the grip on the right side of the frame. The front edges of the frame, the edges of the left side plate and the edges of the grip safety show thinning, as does the checkering on the take down lever and the serrations on the manual safety. The left side plate shows a rough spot under the finish that could be erosion. The left side of the frame shows a mark under the safety, and the area under the safety is left unfinished, which is typical of the Swiss made Lugers. The safety serrations show light wear and the rest of the checkering/serrations are sharp. The right grip screw is distressed. The markings clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action works correctly. We have not fired this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one in the white magazine with a wooden bottom piece with metal inserts, as shown on Pg. 254 of Luger Variations by H. E. Jones – they were of German manufacture for use on Swiss pistols. The follower shows light erosion and the left side of the bottom piece shows small compression marks. The checkering on the thumb loading button is sharp. The magazine is in Excellent condition. THE BOOK IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE AUCTION, BUT CAN BE FOUND HERE: ON AMAZON
Our Assessment: This is a Swiss made Model 1906 Bern pistol, copied from the 1906 Luger. It was adopted by the Swiss Army in 1918 and a total of 17,874 were made. This pistol is correctly marked and still has about 96% of what we believe to be its original finish. The pistol shows a few light handling marks, thinning on its edges, and a few scattered spots of pinprick surface erosion. The bore is fantastic and the trigger, safety and takedown lever still retain their straw color. The magazine is the correct Swiss type with a wooden bottom piece that has metal inserts on the sides. Please see our pictures. This pistol is a rare find for the serious Luger collector.
