Danish Contract Pieper Belgian M1910/21 9mm Largo Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,575.25
LSB#: LSB250727DF007
Make: Anciens Etablissements Pieper Herstal-Liege, Danish Contract
Model: 1910/21
Serial Number: 7358, Danish inventory number 821
Year of Manufacture: 1910-1912
Caliber: 9×23 9mm Largo
Action Type: Single Action Semi–Auto with Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 4″
Sights / Optics: The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the bolt retaining block. The front sight is a fixed blade at the front of the barrel rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood. The inside of each panel is marked “358”. The grips have even handling wear with a little discoloration. There are some light nicks and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished. We have not fully disassembled this pistol, but observed numbered parts are matching including the sideplate, sear, disconnector and trigger.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion in the bore, mostly at the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 7/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some light nicks and small scratches. There is scattered dried grease, mostly at the borders of bearing-surfaces. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool marked. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The disconnector appears to be installed incorrectly and missing its spring. When the sear is placed such that it will catch the hammer, the trigger does not trip the sear. When placed such that the trigger will move the sear, it does not catch the hammer. 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 in a hinge-lid wood crate with crowned “CF” burned into the inside of the lid. Included is a single 6-round magazine leather holster marked with crown/17 on the flap, parts diagrams, various magazine articles about the model, Form No 33 bring-back document, and a letter from the Treasury Department. The holster had various pouches/compartments on the outside of the body under the flap, but they are no longer present.
Our Assessment: The Spanish in the very very early 1900’s adopted a new pistol from Bergmann Mars called the model 1903 – the same pistol the US would test in its selection process for a new handgun before adopting the 1911. The 1903 was a revolutionary pistol with a design that fits perfectly for the Spanish military except once they had it, they decided to make a few minor adjustments to perfectly suit their men from the already wonderful design. The new design would be called the 1908 which featured a thicker and more stocky grip, a larger mag release button at the front of the trigger guard, and an easier safety lever. The 1908 would be selected by Denmark in 1910 for their new sidearm, putting in a few modifications of their own. The Danes would produce their own version of the M1910 with a few more modification in 1921, altering their existing M1910 pistols to the new M1910/21 pattern. When Denmark was occupied by Germany during WWII, many of these pistols were acquired by the occupying forces.
This is an interesting example of the M1910/21 from the original 1910-1912 Belgian production, and updated to the 1910/21 pattern by the Danes in the 1920s. The included bring-back paperwork indicates that the pistol was acquired by one Petrullo Pasquale in late 1945 along with a German hunting knife. Also included is a letter from the Treasury Department, it appears Pasquale may have attempted to register the pistol, though it is not an NFA item. This documentation along with the included holster and crate will make for a wonderful display. The pistol would also be well worth sorting out whatever the issue is with the sear/disconnector, after which it should prove to be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
