Description
4/24/26 - This is a minty example of a very rare early production Model 1900 DWM Swiss Contract Luger with unrelieved frame. This is one of only 2,000 Model 1900 Swiss commercial Lugers manufactured with this specific pistol being a very early example with the very first "unrelieved type" frame with the early "wide checkered" safety lever and narrow trigger. These Lugers represent the very first commercial contract pistol sold by DWM and purchased by Switzerland. This Model 1900 Luger has all the early features such as: the dished toggles with toggle lock, a flat/recessed breech bolt, no stock lug, grip safety, early style, larger flat safety lever with coarse checkering, early narrow trigger, flat main spring and fast taper 4 3/4 inch barrel. These pistols also have the "Swiss Cross" in a sunburst on top of the chamber area with toggle marked "DWM". The left side of the barrel extension has the "Crown B and U" with the underside of the barrel having the "Crown/B, U and G" proofs along with the bore diameter and serial number. This example still retains the original early "V" notch rear sight and standard inverted "v" front sight. Very early 3-digit serial number, "682". All matching. It has retained about 96-97% of its original bluing with hints of high edge wear, some minor dulling on the grip straps, and a couple of small dots of wear on the front strap. Mint bore. Mint wood grips. Comes with a blank wood-bottom magazine.
The right grip panel on this particular gun has a very well-made real silver name plate with the name "Ulrich Wille" engraved on it. Below is some information about who Ulrich Wille was. While we can't say for certain that this gun was in fact presented to Wille, the context of this gun historically, the condition the gun is in, and the quality of the craftsmanship of the name plate, it would certainly make sense that it was. This gun is featured in one of our YouTube videos. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9PSUU2ZWsM.
Ulrich Wille (1848–1925) was the commander-in-chief of the Swiss Army during World War I. Appointed in 1914, he was known for his strong admiration of German military organization and emphasized strict discipline and modernization within Switzerland’s neutral forces. Wille played a key role in maintaining Swiss neutrality and readiness throughout the war, though his pro-German leanings made him a somewhat controversial figure domestically.
