1899 Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Luger serial number 22

Swiss Crest Application Theory

Regarding the original purpose or reason for the dot in the center of the hand stamped Swiss Federal Cross in Sunburst crest of all genuine and authenticated 1899 Swiss preproduction test/acceptance Borchardt-Lugers, 20 in all, the following alternate theory is presented.

It has been determined by detailed measurements of the "hand-stamped"^* preproduction prototype Swiss crest that the dot, previously identified by a noted Luger author and advanced collector as the "fiducial" alignment point placed specifically for the application of the "radially" hand-stamped individual rays, is in fact an alignment dot applied to the chamber at the beginning of the process simply to establish the geometric center of the chamber for the application of the crest. Although the length of the chamber from the chamber face to the receiver/barrel interface is 21 mm, the dot is located equidistant from the forward top edge of the chamber extractor cut to the receiver/barrel interface, a length of 19.55 mm. This gives the appearance of the crest being centrally located, front to rear and right to left on the chamber.

This is a compelling argument since only four of the most likely first applied of the eighty individually stamped rays, when extended, perfectly intersect with the "fiducial" dot. These being the rays at 90°, 180°, 270° and 360°, which is in all probability a product of coincidence of geometry more than by design. The rays are grouped in eight 45° segments alternating between 9 and 11 rays per group. Theses groups align with eight different intersecting points or locations on the chamber surface, other than the centrally placed "fiducial" alignment dot. The tendency is to ascribe 4-½° per ray division thus suggesting a circular geometric interval, ergo radial ray symmetry. This is convenient and implies that all the rays intersect a centrally located dot. However, this tendency is not supported by the empirical data. Since the design and application of the Swiss crest, including the cross consists simply of straight lines with the majority having no geometric relation to the dot, the argument of the method and/or accuracy of application to the chamber, engraving or hand stamping is rather mute. As suggested by noted author, "if a radial table was used to apply the crest, then the rays would have perfectly intersected the central dot." Therefore, since the rays do not intersect the dot, it can be stated that all the rays were never intended to intersect the central dot."

The order for application of the crest is that the central dot was applied first, the cross second, and third the series of 80 rays individually stamped. An outline of the cross may have been scribed or marked into the chamber initially, after the dot, as a guide to establish a termination or intersection point for the inner ray extensions, then next the rays stamped around the eight sided cross and finally the cross stamped over the cross scribed outline, thus making the application of the hand stamped crest a four step process.

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Crest application

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The above chamber crest application scenario is the result of a close examination of the inner termination of the rays at the outside edge of the "V" notch straight line edges of the cross. They show that the inner ray terminations are parallel to the cross outer edge straight line stampings. This termination is especially noticeable at the most acute angled ray cross terminations to the cross and the least noticeable at the perpendicular or 90° inner ray terminations to the cross. The final deep "hand stamping" of the cross over the initially "scribed" cross as the last step in the crest application logically accounts for the above described inner ray terminations or alternately the eight side cross was stamped first then the 80 rays and finally the eight side cross was stamped again (restamped) to clean up the uneven inner ray cross overlapping terminations, establishing a relatively clean "parallel" inner ray straight line cross boundary becoming the outer edge of the hand stamped cross border. If, for example the rays were applied to the crest after the cross was applied one would have the same broken line outer edge cross border, but with rounded inner ray terminations and a very uneven outer cross border appearance. Since the eight sided cross stampings appear no deeper or different than the 80 individual ray stampings, an initial light scribing of the cross seems most reasonable.

Looking at the maximum outer ray extensions it can be observed that some of the rays are slightly longer or shorter than in other identical sections around the crest. Conversely, looking at the inner termination or ray intersections with the cross, some of the terminations that intersect or overlap the cross conform to the above description and some of the rays stop short of the cross, leaving a rounded end. Since the length of stamping tools used to apply the rays around the crest were of fixed length the only way to account for the "appearance" of what otherwise should be identical ray lengths is that when stamped, some were slightly offset, the shorter rays offset inward and intersecting the cross border while other identical length rays were stamped with a slightly outer offset just short of the crest border thereby creating a rounded edge termination. This slight offset stamping of identical length rays in one direction or the other creates an uneven cross/ray intersection and the uneven outer periphery ray appearance is the result of inherent inaccuracies of hand stamping and reinforces the method of cross application described herein.

In conclusion the intent of the designer was not to create a pure radial design but to deliberately place or position the rays so as to create the most esthetically pleasing Swiss Cross in Sunburst pattern.

The production roll die crest does appear to have corrected the ray alignment quandary with a true radial design where all eighty rays emanate, more or less, to a central, unseen fiducial point close at the center of the cross.

Engineering Definition:
Die struck Stamping or pressing tool - the metal tool on a stamping or pressing machine that gives the article its shape and design.

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Please note some of the information and pictures presented in this article regarding the 20 1899 pre-production prototype Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Lugers have been discussed and pictured by several authors in books and articles, some in great detail. However recent discoveries have prompted a review and reevaluation of previous published information, and provided the author with enough new material to continue the story of the Luger.

Contents

Background - The Final 1899/1900 Swiss Trials Tests

May 1899 - DWM and Luger were asked to supply at least 20 guns and a suitable amount of ammunition to permit full scale field trials in the autumn of 1899. These pre-production (prototype) pistols arrived in Switzerland in October or November 1899.¹

It is necessary and helpful at this time to present a brief discussion of production vs. pre-production prototype fabrication to establish a baseline and to debunk any theories that suggest there are inevitable variations to be found in the 20 1899 pre-production prototype Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Lugers and that any such variations are the result of the prototype nature of the process. This argument is usually a proposition espoused by the mechanics to convince the client or collector to accept deviations of machining and omissions as legitimate variations.

Production vs. Prototype Fabrication

The fabrication of prototype parts is every bit as exact as the fabrication of production parts. In the process of producing prototype parts, the precision tooling is not available for alignment and setup for cutting and machining of the parts. Each step of the fabrication process involves the tedious setup of fixturing to align the machine tools for proper cutting of the individual parts. In order to produce a duplicate part, the blank (part being worked) has to be realigned to the cutting tool for precision machining. Whereas, once the parts are in production, tooling is developed so that each piece being machined is positioned quickly and precisely for each cutting step. Precision tooling takes time to develop and make and is not fabricated until the decision is made to warrant the expense and time involved in building the tooling and machine jigs necessary for repetitive production of parts. The outcome for parts fabricated by either process is the same in terms of quality, machining consistency and functionality. However, the time involved in fabricating prototype parts is much greater as compared to the time to fabricate production parts.

The Ordonnanzpistole 06/29 W + F

On 19 January 1929, construction of an experimental gun was agreed to by the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik or Swiss Federal Armament makers (W+F) and the Kriegstechnische Abteilung or the Military Technical Office (KTA). The first 20 pre-production examples (V1-V21) appeared in June. Tests were then undertaken between the experimental V series Ordonnanzpistolen and three other guns that were readily available commercially. The new 06/29 Swiss Parabellum was officially adopted for officers and some senior NCOs on 30 November 1930, however the first small batch deliveries were not until end of August 1933.²

It seems that several of the V guns reworked were some of the original 20 1899 pre-production prototype Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Lugers as identified and pictured in a relatively recent publication,³ that had apparently been set aside (incredibility since 1899/1900) by the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik. Reportedly, Swiss archives and current Swiss records show no evidence of any other similarly modified 1899 Borchardt-Lugers.

Versuchsmodell serial numbers V1, V3, V6 and V7 shown in Bobba’s book are reworked 1899 Swiss Test/Acceptance trials prototype Borchardt-Lugers 10, 15, 28 and 29 respectively, also considered by Bobba to be 06/29 experimental prototypes. Converted experimental V series Swiss Borchardt-Lugers 10, 15 and 28 amazingly still sport the "die struck" or hand stamped Swiss Cross and Sunburst on the chamber^* and still retain the original, as manufactured thin profile, slab sided trigger. From the beginning, the Swiss did not favor the original thin trigger and per Bobba the Swiss were using these particular experimental Luger conversions to demonstrate or test certain qualities of the 06/29. Of the four 1899 Borchardt-Lugers mentioned, only serial numbers 10 and 29 still retain the original plain bordered Borchardt-Luger wooden grips. These particular V series 1899 Borchardt-Lugers are the only known surviving 1899 Borchardt-Luger Swiss Test/Acceptance trials "06/29" V series conversion examples and are currently part of the W+K permanent collection and barring unforeseen circumstances will never be part of any private collection.

1899 Swiss Versuchsmodell - Test/Acceptance Trials Borchardt-Luger serial number 22 (V4)

Recently identified 1899 Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Luger serial number 22 (V4) can be added to the short list of known 1899 Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Lugers reworked to a Swiss Model 1906/29 V series Luger.

Bobba states of the V series: On January 19, 1929, the KTA asked the W + F to develop a series of experimental prototypes of the new pistol. There is a certain incongruity in what has been said by the most reliable sources regarding the number and matriculation of these prototypes. It is said in fact that there were twenty of them, numbered from "V1" to "V21!" It is possible that in the beginning it had been decided to make a certain number of experimental pistols (the V in front of the number obviously stands for "Versuch") but all the numbers are not known, also because probably certain of these prototypes were later destroyed or in their turn cannibalized.
There was also a practice at the W+F: it was usual that the director who retired took home one or two pieces of his choice for which it's possible that certain pistols of this series followed a path of this kind.⁴

1899 Swiss Test/Acceptance prototype Borchardt-Luger serial number 22 (V4) is one of the circa 1929 V1-V21 series. The discussion continues with the addition of 1899 Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Luger serial number 22 (V4) into the mix.

Including private and museum collections, only one 1899 non Swiss pre-production prototype, plain chambered Borchardt-Luger is known to exist with the original 3-1/2 turn trigger spring and the original thin trigger; serial number 40 which coincidentally is the highest known legitimate pre-production prototype. There are seven with the original plain bordered Borchardt-Luger wooden grips, 10 (V1), 22 (V4), 23, 26, 29 (V7), 30, and 35, four with the original thin trigger, serial numbers 10 (V1), 15 (V3), 22 (V4) and 40, five with correct DWM tool room transitional replacement triggers, 25, 26, 29 (V7), 30 and 35. Of these ten guns, six are Swiss pre-production Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Lugers with a "hand engraved" ⁵ Swiss Cross in Sunburst chamber crest, 22 (V4), 23, 25, 26, 29 (V7) and 30 and one plain chamber example, serial number 40.

Following is a detailed description of 1899 pre-production prototype Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Luger, serial number 22 (V4). This was one of 20 1899 Borchardt-Lugers submitted by Georg Luger and DWM to the Swiss military in October/November 1899 for field tests. Also of additional historical significance, parts of this gun, namely the toggle link assembly, the hold-open device, and the receiver/barrel assembly were used to illustrate the Model 1900 Swiss Ordnance Pistol fold-out drawing in the Model 1900 German and French language version instruction manuals, titles being "Anleitung Kenntnis und Behandlung der Pistole Model 1900." and "INSTRUCTION SUR LA CONNAISSANCE ET LE MANIEMENT DU PISTOLET 1900", respectively.^5a The above mentioned components of 1899 Borchardt-Luger serial number 22 are identified on the M1900 Swiss instruction manual fold out drawing by red asterisks shown below. Many of the other small parts shown in the drawing may also be from Borchardt-Luger serial number 22.

Please note that the single red asterisk * noted parts are part of the current and original configuration whereas the double red asterisk marked parts were part of the original configuration that were replaced at a later time (** asterisk "Toggle Link Assembly")

This gun was subsequently later modified by the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik per direction of the KMV (Kriegsmaterialverwaltung, War Materials Administration or the Swiss Army Materials Department) for experimental, presentation or training purposes and renumbered V4 for Versuch, Versuchsmodell or Versuchswaffen (Test, Test Model or Test Weapon Number 4). The V4 stamps are located on the left side frame rail, and on the bottom of the barrel and on the top of the rear link, of which the rear link uppercase letter V is larger (5mm height) than the number 4 (3mm height) and interestingly, both the larger letter V and the number 4 on top of the rear link are engraved or pantographed vs. stamped, as on the left side frame rail and the barrel underside. Additionally a W+K logo identified as the mark of the Eidgenössische Waffenkontrolle is stamped to the left of the V4 on the left side frame rail, being described as a capital W in the form of a circle containing a small capital K in place of the F ⁶. Various components of the gun were refinished/reblued where modified. Unmodified parts retain their original 1899 DWM tool room rust blue, examples being the narrow grip safety and the take down side plate. All the strawed parts retain their original heat temper straw. The gun frame was reblued, externally and internally at the time of the modifications. The bluing process used on the frame is similar to the process used on the Swiss production Model 06/29. The reworked receiver used a different bluing process and the entire barrel may not have been reblued, which will be discussed later in this article.

This gun was possibly used in two separate Swiss military test programs, the 1899/1900 Swiss Test/Acceptance trials and the 1929 Swiss 06/29 experimental prototype development program (this is less certain). These trials occurred more than 30 to 40 years apart. Therefore, some of the modifications identified and discussed herein could be from either era.

The Barrel and Receiver

The 1899 reblued receiver by the Eidgenössische Waffenfabrik retains the original hand stamped or "die struck" Swiss Cross in Sunburst on the chamber with the original serial number 22 stamped on the underside stop lug, which is a larger 3 mm font size than used on the component parts. The same 3 mm font size was used to stamp the two digit serial number 22 inside of each grip. The component parts are stamped with an exceptionally small 1.5 mm font with the two digit serial number tightly grouped. The small parts number 2 stamp has a flaw or defect that shows in all the stamped parts. The larger stop lug number font and the smaller stamp are correct and are identical in size and style to 1899 Borchardt-Lugers 19, 23, 26, 30 and 40.

Obviously the most recognizable feature of the 1899 receiver is the "die struck" Swiss Cross in Sunburst chamber crest, distinctively deeply struck into the chamber surface. ⁵ Although the receiver is reblued the crest retains all of the characteristics of the original hand "stamping" including the alignment dot, located in the center of the cross, of which coincidentally wouldn’t be needed or necessary if the crest was hand engraved. This simple mark, which is so conspicuously present on all the identified genuine and authenticated original 1899 pre-production Swiss Borchardt-Lugers and yet, consistently eludes the mechanics as the most recent example, Borchardt-Luger 20, being otherwise close to replicating the crest, lacks this most distinguishable feature.

The 1899 receiver can also be recognized externally, in profile by the rather wide transition flair starting on the receiver left and right side flat surfaces and terminating at the rounded receiver chamber/barrel interface vs. the narrower, shorter in length 1900 production receiver flare, which is more defined with sharper edges at the apex, terminating in parallel lines at the rounded receiver chamber/barrel interface.

Another feature unique to all 1899 Borchardt-Luger receivers has eluded the mechanics up to now because it is internal. Specifically, the underside of the receiver rails where the shallow taper of each receiver "fork" terminates flush to the chamber face. The underside of the old model production receiver rails shallow taper terminates 6 mm from the chamber face. Two examples that have the old model production taper are Borchardt-Lugers 8 and 20.

Approximately one millimeter of metal has been machined off the rear receiver sloped fork abutments to accommodate the 06/29 "new modeliss design toggle knob assembly. The assembly has 1 mm longer rear link integral angled abutments. The receiver also has the original installed strawed ejector with the serial number 22 scratched on the inside surface. The original strawed serial number 22 stamped receiver Sear Bar has been replaced with a 06/29 type blued Sear Bar, stamped E25 on the lower side. The E25 stamped Sear Bar has been determined to be an 06/29 Bern Swiss Ordnance replacement part as several 06/29 E25 stamped Sear Bars have been observed, with and without a Swiss inspection cross. If we assume the E25 stamped Sear Bar replacements were made available only after 06/29 issue and since the first delivery of the 06/29 wasn’t until August 1933, then the availability or use of spare parts is no earlier than the 1933 first delivery date. This suggests the Eidgenössische Waffenkontrolle testing or use of 1899/06/29 serial number 22 (V4) was in the mid to late 1930s. Also that the original strawed, serial number 22 stamped Sear Bar was part of the 22 (V4) assembly through 1933 and possibly later.

1906/29 Bern, 1899 Borchardt-Luger serial number 22 (V4) and typical 1906 Swiss Ordnance Luger.
Chamber faces, dimensioned.

The original 1899 barrel was removed from the receiver in order to modify the 1899 BL22 pre-production barrel and receiver chamber face, which is identical to the 1900 old model production barrel and receiver chamber face. The existing old model extractor cut of the barrel chamber face was modified to accept the 06/29 new model style extractor lower half angled tip projection. The original 1899 old model receiver face was also modified by adding a simple angled, rectangular cut to accept the 06/29 upper portion extractor tip projection. The 1899 Borchardt-Luger 22 (V4) receiver extractor cut was a simpler machining operation compared to the earlier, more complex new model 1906 DWM production multiple straight chamber wall receiver extractor cuts. The 1899/06 added receiver cut is basically identical to the 06/29 stepped receiver production cut, which was apparently, one of the many simplified machining steps incorporated into the 06/29. The original sight blade was replaced and the 22 serial number on the barrel was removed and V4 added along with a Bernproße proof. The barrel was reinstalled to the receiver, aligned to the original witness marks. The Bernproße proof was added after the gun was totally reconfigured and test fired.

Typical 1906 Swiss Ordnance Luger chamber face, 1899 Borchardt-Luger serial number 22 (V4) and typical 1900 Swiss Ordnance chamber face.

It is interesting to note that the subject Swiss barrel/receiver conversion of an old model extractor system, in this case an 1899 "old model" to a new 06/29 model extractor system, that the Swiss did not make any attempt to replicate the DWM supplied new model 1906 Ordonnanzpistolen or their own indigenous W+F Bern receiver chamber machining, which involved flattening the top of the receiver chamber for better extractor visibility when loaded. Either the Swiss recognized the historical significance of the hand stamped Swiss crest and didn’t want to disturb it or simply thought it over complicated and not necessary for their then current purposes or test goals.

The original barrel sight blade, as stated above, has been replaced with a wider blade to correspond with the "U" shape notch in the 06/29 "replacement" toggle link assembly V4 stamped rear link. There is an alignment mark on the top right forward section of the sight block but no corresponding mark on the sight blade, only a faint stamped "+". There is an added alignment mark on the top left forward section of the sight block and a corresponding mark on the sight blade, which coincidently do not align with the sight blade, being offset to the left. There are other 1899 Borchardt-Luger V series shown in Bobba’s book with same sight blade alignment mark offset.

The barrel is determined to be the 1899 original based on the white metal muzzle crown surface which is rather flat compared to the later 1900 production convex surface muzzle crowns which are distinctly more pronounced. Since there are three different sight block base alignment marks, this suggests possibly the use of three sight blades. The top right surface sight block alignment mark is the DWM original mark. The current installed sight blade with the top left side sight block added alignment mark with corresponding sight blade alignment mark was added next and a poorly struck third witness mark was added to the front surface of the sight block. There is no corresponding mark on the front rearward sloped surface of the current replacement sight blade, usually found on the "Pistole, Ordonnanz 06/29" production installed sight blades. The sight blade replacement scenario described is not unusual for an 1899 Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Luger as the one of the obvious 1899/1900 testing goals was the shooting accuracy.

On the barrel underside at the receiver end, about an inch in length along the barrel axis and covering approximately 180º of the lower barrel surface is a slight difference or lighter appearance in the bluing. This area is where the original Borchardt-Luger barrel was refinished after removing the 22 serial number and adding the V4 and Bernprobe proof. Based on the difference in the finish surrounding the V4 stamping and Bernproße proof stamping, the balance of the barrel finish is 1899 original or at a minimum, a different finish. Also a less noticed but significant feature that errs toward the barrel being the 1899 original can be found on the barrel chamber face, specifically being the distinctive barrel feed ramp machining, which is typical old model.

The Frame

The 1899 Borchardt-Luger serial number 22 frame was modified by replacing the old model Riband dual flat recoil mainspring assembly with the new model coiled mainspring assembly using 06/29 production Swiss proofed parts. The frame cam ramps were modified by extending the forward edge of the frame cam ramps approximately 5 mm. This created a shallower ramp by extending the slope and thereby creating an initial, smoother toggle knob breaking. This was done by adding two new hardened inserts, dovetailed and soft soldered or welded into the original cams. So perfectly fitted in this case, they are not visible even on the reblued inside faces. The only indication of modification is a test hardening point mark located in the left side frame cam ramp lip or ridge replacement area and the associated remachined recess area. There is also an unusual hole or void, vertically positioned under the forward most extension of the right side rear frame added cam ramp lip, which could be the remnants of an alignment pin or, more than likely, welding. Four other V series 1899/06/29 conversions pictured in Bobba’s book, serial numbers 10 (V1), 15 (V3), 28 (V6) and 29 (V7) appear to be similarly modified by the W + F when viewed externally. V series 1899/06/29 conversion (V12), serial number unknown, does not have modified cam ramps. Although identified as an 1899 Borchardt-Luger, V12 does not exhibit any 1899 Borchardt-Luger characteristics and appears to be a W + F reworked 1906 Swiss Ordnance Luger with a replacement (pre-production prototype?) 06/29 barrel.

The Borchardt-Luger serial number 22 barrel bore rifling land and grooves are well defined and visible and the barrel lining is bright with no pits or corrosion. The barrel has expended a lot of rounds, yet there is no appreciable associated wear on the replacement 06/29 toggle knob rear contact surfaces and the corresponding contact points of the 06/29 type modified frame cam ramps, suggesting the barrel wear is mostly a result of the 1899/1900 Swiss trials tests, or the lack of contact wear could be a testament to the new design V series shallower cam ramps resulting in lesser contact point wear. The original design 1900/06 cam ramps in some cases tended to flair or flatten out with extended firing, a situation which seems to have been mostly eliminated in the new design 06/29 frame cam ramps.

The serial number 22 was removed from the rear of the frame and the W+K logo and V4 were stamped on the left forward frame rail. The frame can still be recognized as an 1899 pre-production Borchardt-Luger by the following unique characteristics:

The rectangular cut and lack of an indent/stepped cutout for the left side magazine seam.
The lack of a chamfer cut in the left side trigger guard for ease of installation and removal of the trigger/spring.
The frame still retains the original prototype design 1st issue original strawed finish flat Thumb Safety. The 1899 pre-production Borchardt-Luger thumb safety is approximately 15% thinner in profile over the entire length versus the final 1900 production version; 3mm versus 3.5mm in thickness of the upper hatching/grasping surface and 1.3 mm of the 1899 versus 1.5mm of the 1900 production version for the lower curved section. Note that both the 1899 and 1900 thumb safety levers maintain a smooth, plain, convex curved surface in the lower section , not a flat surface with rounded and softened edges. The hatched grasping surface is also convex.
The polished bright frame thumb safety recessed area has an incised border around the upper periphery, unique to all identified genuine original 1899 Swiss Test/Acceptance Borchardt-Lugers.
In the upper rear frame trigger guard recess is a center located, 5mm wide indent or recess cut-out for the original narrow trigger 3-1/2 turn spring.
An obscure but significant internal machining characteristic located in the 1899 Borchardt-Luger 22 rear frame cavity is a semi-circular depression resulting from terminating the machining operation while still in the metal of the frame. The recess is clearance for the upper section of the flat Riband type recoil spring at maximum extension. The walls of the depression are clearly defined, with the cut-out being distinctly lower, especially the rearward edge being approximately 1mm lower than the surrounding metal. This feature is unique to all genuine examined 1899 pre-production Borchardt-Lugers and most definitively in the rear frame cavity of 1898 Borchardt-Luger 5 and 1899 Borchardt-Luger 6 (less clear but equally definitive) showing excess metal surrounding the semi circular depression. Interestingly, Figure 5 in Swiss Patent 21959 illustrates some internal machining and accurately depicts the same rear frame cavity semi-circular depression found in Borchardt-Luger 22 and other examined 1899 Swiss Borchardt Lugers even though it is a line drawing and not a fully dimensioned engineering drawing for the 1899 Borchardt-Luger. The same patent line drawing is used in the 1900 Swiss instruction manual fold out "cut and paste" line drawing and the 1901 Borchardt-Luger instruction manual on page x, figure 3. Weight was not an issue with BL5, but was with the 1899 pre-production frame as additional metal was removed from this area. The 1900 production rear frame cavity has the same relief cut for the recoil spring and the cut can be either circular or rectangular with a straight line rear portion termination, both terminations basically flush to the surrounding area. However, the semi-circular depression discussed above is uniquely exclusive to the rear frame cavity of the 20 1899 pre-production prototype Swiss test/acceptance Borchardt-Lugers.
A subtle but definitive 1899 Borchardt-Luger external frame characteristic is the virtually seamless blending and perfectly smooth, continuous transition of the junction of the lower rear flat surface of the trigger guard with the convex surface of the forward grip strap which is a result of the attention of hand finishing versus the more noticeable 1900 production terminations. This attention to detail is evident in all aspects of the 1899 pre-production series Borchardt-Lugers, including 1898 Borchardt-Luger serial number 5.

The only frame modification that eludes an explanation, as of this writing, is the presence of the numbers 5, 7 or 57 stamped in the forward lug well, which was not part of the original 1899 assembly. Although, the number font style and placement is similar to the Ordonnannzpistole 06/29 W+F practice of stamping the date of manufacture in the forward lug well.

There is no doubt as to the originality of the Borchardt-Luger 22 plain bordered wooden grips. The color and appearance is of the classic golden color, warm pleasing hue and unique grain pattern, being identical in all aspects mentioned, to the earlier Model C93 Loewe and DWM manufactured Borchardt pistol grips with identical exterior finish and appearance, interior grip wear patterns, age related stress cracks, etc.

Borchardt-Luger 22 plain bordered wooden grips have the correct proportioned plain bordered grip margins, instantly recognizable in other genuine surviving Borchardt-Luger grips including Borchardt-Lugers 5, 6, 10, 14, 23, 26, 29, 30 and 35. This old world finish and appearance, along with the proper plain border to hatching area width ratio is apparently, difficult to replicate. The grips of Borchardt-Luger 20 are a classic example of the mechanics' failure to replicate the original 1899 Borchardt-Luger grips, dimensionally and in color. There are identified early after market plain bordered Borchardt-Luger grips that have pretty much got the border ratio correct but cannot as yet replicate the early finish, color and wood grain pattern.

As a matter of note, the highest known legitimate 1899 Borchardt-Luger is serial number 40. It has fully checkered walnut grips as defined in an article by Dr. G.L. Sturgess stated to be original to the gun: …and the fitting of (unnumbered) production M1900 style unbordered grips (which have minor differences to the [hand] carving of the internal fitting, but are similar internally to those of the M1899 pistols).^7a The description strongly suggests the wooden grips of BL40 are original DWM tool room installed grips as originally fabricated for BL40 and not M1900 production replacement grips and as described represent the first 1900 production styled 100% checkered walnut grips installed on a Luger. There is little doubt that the plain bordered grips found on most of the M1899 preproduction prototype pistols were discontinued sometime after the fabrication of 1899 Borchardt-Luger 35 and 40, i.e. discontinued prior to M1900 Parabellum production. There are no known legitimate, authenticated 1900 Production Lugers, Swiss or commercial, as of this writing identified with genuine M1899 style plain bordered wooden grips.

Another significant internal feature of the 20 1899 pre-production Swiss Test/Acceptance frames is the hollowed out lower forward gripstrap toe. Two identified 1899 "pre-production" frames, 1899 Borchardt-Luger serial numbers 8 and 20, have been observed with a solid filled lower forward gripstrap toe. An X-ray of 1899 Borchardt-Luger serial number 8 was taken and revealed that the lower forward grip strap toe was actually hollow. A curved plate was added and blended into the forward gripstrap wall contour to give the appearance of being solid. There are no verified 1899 pre-production Borchardt-Lugers with a solid forward gripstrap toe with the exception of Borchardt-Luger 35 and in that case the toe shows more metal but with a coarse depression, not the continuous blended straight wall appearance of Borchardt-Lugers 8 and 20, which is a concocted view of what the mechanics thought a solid fill forward gripstrap toe should look like. There is only one 1899 Borchardt-Luger in the 1899 preproduction series that has been identified with a forward gripstrap solid toe, that has not had the metal removed or “hogged” out and that is 1899 Borchardt-Luger 35. For more about BL35 click here. This solid filled toe subject has been discussed in a European publication by a noted Luger expert and collector.⁷ With that said there is another feature common to both 1899 Borchardt-Lugers 8 and 20 and that is both sport 1899 narrow thin profile triggers that have features, internal and external, totally different from the original 1899 Borchardt-Luger thin triggers of serial numbers 19, 22 and 40. See the section on triggers for details.

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Article created: Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Article modified: Wednesday, September 12, 2007

1899 Borchardt-Luger 35

1899 preproduction prototype Borchardt-Luger serial number 35 is fitted with an unserialized interim design production trigger. Delivered to the Dutch in March 1900, serial number 35 has been identified in two previous publications (The Dutch Luger and The Journal of the Historical Breechloading Smallarms Society) as a Dutch trials gun, and interestingly referred to a "production-style"⁷ trigger with the ergonomically redesigned pull surface. A detailed examination of the Borchardt-Luger 35 trigger revealed a slight step in the lower ledge top surface of the trigger slot that accepts the horizontal arm of the side plate lever. This slight step is common to both the 1899 original narrow, slab side triggers and