Swiss Parabellum Pistols

[Classic12]

I’ve recently added a few examples of Swiss Parabellum pistols (also called Swiss Luger in the US) to the herd and now have an nice representative assortment

Switzerland was amongst the first countries to adopt Georg Luger’s pistol in 1900 (based on Hugo Borchardt’s C 93), after testing the (scarce) semi automatic competition of the day. The original caliber was the bottlenecked 7.65 mm Parabellum, i.e. .30 Luger.

5000 Parabellum model 1900 were produced at DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik) in Berlin and delivered between 1900 and 1906, numbered 1 to 5000. Mine is # 2882 and was made in 1904 and is in an exceptional condition for its age

In 1906 the Swiss ordered more Parabellum pistols from DWM however with some modifications: coil mainspring instead of the somewhat fragile lead spring one, newly designed slide and extractor… Those were produced from 1906 until 1914 (Parabellum model 1906 DWM) and numbered from 5001 to 15215. Mine is number 8759, was made in 1908 and oddly privatised to civilian life in 1943 (P43 marking). This one shows a bit more wear.

 

[Classic12]

World War I interrupted the supply from Germany, and in 1918 the Swiss decided to manufacture their own Parabellum in Waffenfabrik Bern, which was the state Arsenal. They were produced from 1918 until 1933 (Parabellum model 1906 Waffenfabrik or W+F and sometimes incorrectly named 1906/24 or 06/24) and numbered from 15251 to 33089.

Mine is number 21134 and was made in 1923. It’s the first one I bought and I’ve put several thousand rounds through it, including military style competitions. Still in very nice shape.

As can be seen, the German made and Swiss made pistols are almost identical

 

[Classic12]

By 1929, the Swiss had tested several other semi automatic pistols but decided to remain faithful to the Parabellum pistol. However they simplified the manufacturing process by effecting several changes in order to be more cost effective. The grip is now straight, all checkered or serrated small parts are now smooth and blued. And the grips are made of various “modern” materials instead of wood. The pistols are still very well made and extremely accurate though.

The Parabellum Waffenfabrik model 1906/29 or 06/29 was produced from 1933 until 1946, numbered from 50001 to 77941.

My first one is number 51280 and was made in April 1933. It has red canevasite grips and magazine bottom. Canevasite is a phenol resin. Quite fragile back then

And then I bought a later one, number 58925, made in 1940, now with brown Bakelite grips and magazine bottom.

 

[Classic12]

Pretty much identical except for grips and magazine bottoms.
The last serie was made with black Bakelite grips.

Family photos

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Very nice examples, and a complete collection!

 

[Jim Watson]

Jeepers, we have a Swiss bac1023.

 

[blchandl2]

Very nice collection!

 

[chadio]

Thanks for the photos and info.... total eye - candy!!!

Maybe some day, since I've always liked these!!!

 

[Mike Irwin]

Sweet!

Interesting that the Swiss stopped putting any sort of checkering or other texturing on the toggle knobs.

I'd think that would make it much harder to retract the toggle, especially with wet or cold fingers or while wearing gloves.

 

[FITASC]

AWESOME!

 

[Jack19]

Wow. Just Wow.

I'm just speechless. Impressive.

 

[absolute0]

I especially love the scalloped knobs on the toggle link on the early pistols.

That's quite an awesome collection!

 

[Butzbach]

Very nice photos of a great collection!

The Swiss blanket back drop was a nice touch. After viewing your pics, I’m thinking that pistols that shoot bottle neck cartridges would be an affordable fun collection.

 

[Classic12]

Did I mention these pistols were very accurate?

Some targets at 25 m

And at 50 m

 

[Classic12]

I’ve heard Mauser bought the manufacturing equipment from Waffenfabrik Bern and built some Parabellum after the Swiss pattern in the 70ies. By sheer coincidence, two shooting buddies came to the range with two such pistols, only 3 digits apart

 

[Jim Watson]

Yes, there were many variants of the 1970s Mauser Parabellum.
I once admired a heavy barreled target model, and later looked at a 6" commercial style. I would have bought the latter except for the tough grip safety. I wonder if I could have taken it off and replaced the flat grips that took away much of the Luger Feel.

 

[Classic12]

Update : I thought I could live without the missing one, the last batch produced with black Bakelite grips. I was wrong. And the LGS had five of them. It seems that sadly old collectors are dropping like flies and plenty of those guns are on the market, which makes them cheap ($ 900 for a very nice 1906/29 with holster and 2nd mag).

Holster made in 1942

Gun made in Ferbruary 1943

 

[Classic12]

The three colours of 1906/29. Red, brown and black

Updated family photo

 

[blchandl2]

Outstanding collection!

 

[BornFighting88]

Just gorgeous. I have always had an affinity for the Parabellum pistol. I have wanted one in the worst way for years. Waiting for piggy bank to fatten up to get my hands on one.

What is your source?? Hahah