Make: Waffenfabrik Bern

Model: 1900/06 W+F (frequently referred to by collectors as the 06/24), 1st Model

Serial Number: 25893

Year of Manufacture: 1927

Caliber: 7.65x21mm Parabellum (.30 Luger)

Action Type: Toggle Type Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine Fed

Barrel Length: 4 3/4”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade dovetailed to a base at the muzzle. The rear sight is a “U”-notch integral to the rear toggle link (originally a "V"-notch, these sights were frequently arsenal-altered to a "U"-notch, there is no finish in the "U"-cuts).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood panels with smooth borders on the front and rear. The grips have light handling wear with a few scattered marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no external chips or cracks, the right panel has a long vertical crack on the interior. The fit of the grips to the frame likely indicates that they have been replaced. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blued & Strawed

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts match.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 9 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are a few minor nicks and scuffs. There is infrequent minor surface oxidation, mostly on the frame under the grips. The action shows operational wear and there is handling wear on the strawed controls. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 leather flap holster and a total of two 8-round Swiss magazines with synthetic floorplates. The serial number has been hand-written on the inside of the flap.

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. This example was produced by Waffenfabrik Bern in 1927 during the inter-war years and is known variously as an 06 W+F, 1900/06 W+F, and, curiously as an 06/24, though this last designation is a collectors’ term and not technically accurate. It is the first type of this model, still having the short raised portion of the sideplate which would later be reinforced with the raised portion continued up to the top edge. The pistol has matching serialized parts, though the grips have been replaced. It likely stayed in Swiss inventory for some time before it received its "P" marking, applied when sold out of service to its user. It also does not have an import mark, indicating it came to America before 1968. The rear sight has a proper “U”-notch, frequently seen opened up from its original “V”-profile notch. The pistol has a nice bore and strong mechanics. This will be a nice addition to a Luger collection as one of the Swiss variants and should also still make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!