2299 SCARCE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE FIRST PUBLISHED

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This item SOLD at 2026 Aug 06 @ 14:14UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 250.00 USD
Estimated at 500.00 - 800.00 USD
LUGER MANUAL (SWISS REGULATION PATTERN 1900). Believed to have been produced in in mid-1901 (likely after the Swiss contract had been delivered and commercial production of the "Parabellum" pistol began), this pattern manual was the first factory literature to be produced for the Luger pistol, and as with the initial manuals produced for Borchardt's C93, was only printed in English. The notable contents include: "Constituent Parts", "Dimensions", disassembly & assembly instructions, as well as pictorials of cartridge cavity expansion, diagram / part lists, and trajectory information. Of particular interest is DWM's flattery of the U.S. military, stating "Undoubtedly Switzerland, which, like the United States of America, has been for several decades in the front rank with regard to improvements in fire-arms, looking always for the best for the country, has given again the proof of a great progress regarding the problem of armament". By October of 1901, the Model 1900 Lugers would be delivered to America with these manuals accompanying them, as this was the only manual available at the time. CONDITION: manual has acquired a mellow age related coloration, with some spots of darker discoloration and minor staining present overall. Paper cover is partially torn along the spine, with a couple of the pictorial pages similarly torn at junction points. Cover shows several creases at corners, as well as some minor tattering along edges. Interior text and graphics remain clear and easily legible. An attractive example of the first production run of Luger manuals. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of John Eckert. (02-26542-1/MLW). NON-GUN. $500-800.