Swiss Bern Model 1929 7.65x21mm Parabellum .30 Luger Semi-Auto Pistol, C&R
SOLD FOR: $1805
LSB#: 210129DW20
Make: Waffenfabrik Bern
Model: 1929
Serial Number: 64667
Year of Manufacture: July, 1942
Caliber: 7.65x21mm Parabellum
Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine Fed
Markings: The left of the frame is marked with a cross over “H” inspection mark and “64667”. The right of the frame has a “P” deaccession marking indicating that it was sold out of military service. The inside of the frame at the locking bolt is marked with “7.42” date code. The bottom of the barrel extension on the locking lug is marked “667”. The top-left of the barrel at the rear edge is marked “64667” and the top with a “BP” monogram Bernerprobe proof, the bottom of the barrel is marked with a swiss cross. The top of the front toggle link has a Swiss cross on shield, the rear toggle link is marked “64667”. The left of the extractor is marked “GELADEN”. The inside of the sideplate is marked “667”. There are Swiss cross and “CN” markings on the inside of the sideplate, the rear face of the takedown lever, the left side of the slide stop, the bottom of the right arm of the barrel extension at the rear, the left of the breech-bolt, the bottom of each toggle link, and the bottom of the “S”-link. There are are “N” stamped over a rifle silhouette markings on the bottom of the left arm of the barrel extension and the inside of the frame at the rear.
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.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black bakelite panels. The grips have minor handling wear with a few scattered spots of residue in the checkering. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Arsenal refurbished, likely immediately prior to being sold out of service.
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 metal finish. The balance is mostly in handling wear on the controls and minor operational wear. There is some thinning at edges and a few minor marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is no 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 8-round M1929 magazine (black bakelite floorplate and dual retaining pins. The magazine has a couple of nicks on the sides of the floorplate, minor operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Fine condition.
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. The last form of Luger in use by the Swiss was the Model 1929. This variant was simplified in a number of ways, with a flat frontstrap, a simplified trigger, uncheckered controls, and fewer serial markings. This example was produced in 1942 as World War II was raging all around Switzerland, who was maintaining armed neutrality, at least to the extent possible being entirely surrounded by Axis powers and with both sides invading their airspace at various points in the war. The pistol has matching serialized parts and is in great condition with an exceptional bore. It doesn’t appear to have seen much, if any use since being sold out of service. The pistol has a proper M1929 magazine with the floorplate held in place with two pins, rather than the single pin of standard Luger magazines. In all, it is a wonderful example of the M1929 which has made it here to the United States without acquiring an import mark. This will be a great addition to a Luger collection as one of the final variants still in widespread military use. Please see our photos and good luck!