Jim Elson - Swiss Navy Info...

Pete Ebbink · 07-25-2002, 12:55 AM

Hello Jim,

I was reading in my copy of Fred A. Datig's book, The Luger Pistol - 1958 revised edition, on pages 85-86 some interesting info. on "unofficial" Swiss lugers.

I quote from Mr. Datig :

1. " It appears that many lugers, of all models, variations, and types, have been imported into Switzerland for many years by private individuals. Under Swiss law, or so the story goes, such imported lugers must be marked with the Swiss Cross over the chamber, Swiss proof marks, or both before the piece may be fired on an official Swiss target range. For this reason, these imported Lugers are usually given over to one of the many fine Swiss gunshmiths and converted to meet Swiss specifications."

2. "Some Swiss conversions will probably be of finer finish and workmansip than the original contract pieces as the Swiss gunsmiths who execute the conversions are without exception past masters at their art".

I will be home this weekend, Jim, if you do not have this book and would like me to scan the entire 2-3 pages of text.

Just let me know... <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

Lodi Jim · 07-26-2002, 05:29 AM

Pete - Very interesting and answers some questions. Yes, I would appreciate receiving copy of text for my file. Thanks.

Jim <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Pete Ebbink · 08-05-2002, 11:52 PM

Hello Jim,

My belated apologies for not scanning and posting those pages from the Datig book, yet.

I have been traveling and totally swamped with work for the past 1-1/2 weeks.

I will be home all weekend this week and will get you the scanned pages... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Edward Tinker · 08-06-2002, 12:34 AM

Pete, I hope it is okay, but I scanned in these pages for you, I think my copy is older than yours, but this hopefully has the information you were looking for?
Datigs book

Datig 2

Pete Ebbink · 08-06-2002, 12:45 AM

Hello Ed,

Thanks so much for the assist...I am sure Jim appreciates your efforts, as well...!!!

Lodi Jim · 08-06-2002, 02:45 AM

Pete & Ed,

My sincere thanks to both of you!! You guys are truly Ã¢??gentlemen and scholarsÃ¢?Â - especially with regard to our favorite subject Ã¢?? Lugers. I have copied these pages for my records and begun a search for a copy of this book. Do I assume it is out of print?

Thanks again,

Jim
<img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Pete Ebbink · 08-06-2002, 02:57 AM

Hello Jim,

I was able to get two (2) copies of the Fred A. Datig book on E-Bay over the past 2-3 months. Both for around $ 35-40.00 each.

I see there are still some up for auction this week.

The original was printed in 1958 and a revised edition was dated 1962. Both are worthy reading for a beginner, such as myself; but some info. is dated but still very interesting historically as it shows how the field of luger collecting and samples of known lugers continued to increase in the 1950's.

I especially enjoyed Mr. Datig's stories of traveling to Germany and meeting Georg Luger Jr. and August Weiss.

I have kept my 1962 copy and sent young Mr. Brandon Metcalf of our Forum my 1958 copy as a gift... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Brandon · 08-16-2002, 04:58 PM

Herr Pete is way too nice!

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> , Brandon

Ron Wood · 08-16-2002, 05:41 PM

Brandon,
You bet he is! Actually, the 1958 edition is the "Fourth Revised Printing". The first edition was printed in 1955, second printing 1956 and third printing 1957. I collect first edition copies of anything about Lugers I can find. A first edition Datig is only 208 pages and printed on thinner paper, so it is only about one half as thick as the revised edition. If you can find one in good condition with dust jacket, it may set you back around $100, maybe more!

Brandon · 08-16-2002, 07:10 PM

Hi Ron!
Pete has sent me a total of three Luger books...("Luger The Multi-Natonal pistol","The Luger Pistol", and "1900 Luger U.S. Test Trials") He is one of my best buds [img]smile.gif[/img] (and not just because he has gave me stuff!!!)

Also, I hadn't paid too much attention but now that you mention it The Luger Pistol was first printed in 1955!

I'm trying to get signed copies of Luger books! I have one signed by Charlie Kenyon! I also have "Lugers of Ralph Shattuck" signed by Ralph! I hope to one day have most of my books signed!

Best Regards,
Brandon

07-25-2002, 12:55 AM	#1
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Jim Elson - Swiss Navy Info... Hello Jim, I was reading in my copy of Fred A. Datig's book, The Luger Pistol - 1958 revised edition, on pages 85-86 some interesting info. on "unofficial" Swiss lugers. I quote from Mr. Datig : 1. " It appears that many lugers, of all models, variations, and types, have been imported into Switzerland for many years by private individuals. Under Swiss law, or so the story goes, such imported lugers must be marked with the Swiss Cross over the chamber, Swiss proof marks, or both before the piece may be fired on an official Swiss target range. For this reason, these imported Lugers are usually given over to one of the many fine Swiss gunshmiths and converted to meet Swiss specifications." 2. "Some Swiss conversions will probably be of finer finish and workmansip than the original contract pieces as the Swiss gunsmiths who execute the conversions are without exception past masters at their art". I will be home this weekend, Jim, if you do not have this book and would like me to scan the entire 2-3 pages of text. Just let me know... <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

08-06-2002, 12:34 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	Pete, I hope it is okay, but I scanned in these pages for you, I think my copy is older than yours, but this hopefully has the information you were looking for? Datigs book Datig 2 __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

08-16-2002, 05:41 PM	#9
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Brandon, You bet he is! Actually, the 1958 edition is the "Fourth Revised Printing". The first edition was printed in 1955, second printing 1956 and third printing 1957. I collect first edition copies of anything about Lugers I can find. A first edition Datig is only 208 pages and printed on thinner paper, so it is only about one half as thick as the revised edition. If you can find one in good condition with dust jacket, it may set you back around $100, maybe more! __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

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07-26-2002, 05:29 AM	#2
Lodi Jim User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: California Posts: 65 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Pete - Very interesting and answers some questions. Yes, I would appreciate receiving copy of text for my file. Thanks. Jim <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

08-05-2002, 11:52 PM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hello Jim, My belated apologies for not scanning and posting those pages from the Datig book, yet. I have been traveling and totally swamped with work for the past 1-1/2 weeks. I will be home all weekend this week and will get you the scanned pages... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

08-06-2002, 12:45 AM	#5
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hello Ed, Thanks so much for the assist...I am sure Jim appreciates your efforts, as well...!!!

08-06-2002, 02:45 AM	#6
Lodi Jim User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: California Posts: 65 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Pete & Ed, My sincere thanks to both of you!! You guys are truly Ã¢??gentlemen and scholarsÃ¢?Â - especially with regard to our favorite subject Ã¢?? Lugers. I have copied these pages for my records and begun a search for a copy of this book. Do I assume it is out of print? Thanks again, Jim <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

08-06-2002, 02:57 AM	#7
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hello Jim, I was able to get two (2) copies of the Fred A. Datig book on E-Bay over the past 2-3 months. Both for around $ 35-40.00 each. I see there are still some up for auction this week. The original was printed in 1958 and a revised edition was dated 1962. Both are worthy reading for a beginner, such as myself; but some info. is dated but still very interesting historically as it shows how the field of luger collecting and samples of known lugers continued to increase in the 1950's. I especially enjoyed Mr. Datig's stories of traveling to Germany and meeting Georg Luger Jr. and August Weiss. I have kept my 1962 copy and sent young Mr. Brandon Metcalf of our Forum my 1958 copy as a gift... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

08-16-2002, 04:58 PM	#8
Brandon User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tennessee, USA Posts: 329 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Herr Pete is way too nice! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> , Brandon

08-16-2002, 07:10 PM	#10
Brandon User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tennessee, USA Posts: 329 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Ron! Pete has sent me a total of three Luger books...("Luger The Multi-Natonal pistol","The Luger Pistol", and "1900 Luger U.S. Test Trials") He is one of my best buds [img]smile.gif[/img] (and not just because he has gave me stuff!!!) Also, I hadn't paid too much attention but now that you mention it The Luger Pistol was first printed in 1955! I'm trying to get signed copies of Luger books! I have one signed by Charlie Kenyon! I also have "Lugers of Ralph Shattuck" signed by Ralph! I hope to one day have most of my books signed! Best Regards, Brandon