Swiss Waffenfabrik Bern 1900/06 W+F 06/24 7.65mm .30 Luger Semi-Auto Pistol
SOLD FOR: $2081
LSB#: 220105JM002
Make: Waffenfabrik Bern
Model: 1900/06 W+F (frequently referred to by collectors as the 06/24), 1st Model
Serial Number: 19001
Year of Manufacture: 1922
Caliber: 7.65x21mm Parabellum
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine Fed
Markings: The front of the frame is marked “19001”, the right of the frame is marked with a Swiss cross. The bottom of the barrel extension on the locking lug is marked “001”. The left of the barrel extension is marked “+ / M”, the right is marked with a Swiss cross and “P 33” (indicates that the pistol was sold out of service to a Swiss soldier in 1933). The left of the barrel is marked with a Swiss cross, the bottom is marked “19001. The bottom of the sideplate is marked “01”, the left of the trigger is marked “01”, the grip safety is marked “01”. The left of the bolt is marked “01” and and the right with a Swiss cross. The top of the front toggle is marked with a Swiss cross over “WAFFENFABRIK / BERN”, the bottom is marked “01”. The back of the rear toggle is marked “01”. The inside of each grip panel is stamped “1”
Barrel Length: 4 3/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a base at the muzzle. The rear sight is a “U”-notch integral to the rear toggle link. The rear sights were originally “V”-notches, but were frequently filed out to a “U” profile.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood panels with smooth borders on the front and rear. The grips have minor handling wear with a few minor nicks and scuffs. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued & Strawed
Finish Originality: Refinished, likely Arsenal Refurbished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, most notable on the muzzle, on the grip safety, and the raised edges of the sideplate. There are a few minor nicks and scuffs, there is a more notable scratch on the top of the barrel toward the rear. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation. There are tool-marks under the finish on the right of the frame at the takedown lever. The action shows light operational wear and there is handling wear on the strawed controls. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine-plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is barely perceptible play between the barrel assembly and frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single magazine with a wood floorplate. Metal pieces have been applied to each side of the floorplate. The magazine shows operational wear and some minor surface oxidation with intact feed lips and a strong spring. The floorplate has a loss on the rear of the right grasping knob and a ding on the edge behind the knob.
Our Assessment: In addition to being the first to adopt the Luger pistol as a standard-issue sidearm, Switzerland was also one of the longest users of the design, with various forms in use until being replaced in 1949 by the Sig P210. This example was produced by Waffenfabrik Bern in 1922 during the inter-war years and is known variously as an 06 W+F, 1900/06 W+F, and, curiously as an 06/24, though this last designation is a collectors’ term and not technically accurate. It is the first type of this model, still having the short raised portion of the sideplate which would later be reinforced with the raised portion continued up to the top edge. The pistol has matching serialized parts and has been refinished so it still looks great. The “P 33” marking on the right of the barrel extension indicates that the pistol was sold to the Swiss soldier it was issued to when they left active military service in 1933. The pistol has an exceptional bore and strong mechanics. This will be a nice addition to a Luger collection as one of the Swiss variants and should also still make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!