Alphabet Commercial i suffix (long)

[Dwight Gruber]

This post is in several parts due to the Forum’s per-post photo limit
--DG

Part 1 of 5

© 2015 Dwight Gruber

Alphabet commercials get no respect.

In the decade between 1921 and the transfer of Luger production to Mauser, DWM made not more than 120,500 commercial pistols. Conventional wisdom has it that this is a vast collector desert, an expanse of the most common and least interesting of all Luger pistols. This conclusion bears examination.

By the numbers, the entire span of Alphabet Commercial production is exceeded by DWM’s 1916 single-year production of 140,000 pistols, within its entire decade-long army production span of more than half-a-million P08s.

After the Great War DWM was explicitly forbidden to manufacture military arms—in this case, the P08 in 9mm with a 10cm barrel length. Because of this, it is proper to refer to post-war commercial pistols, in 7,65mm with 9.5cm barrels and stock lugs, as Alphabet Commercial Parabellums Production encompasses as many as a dozen distinct variations, including: Swiss New Model Parabellum; Commercial New-Model Parabellum; Krieghoff back-frame-marked OEM; Abercrombie & Fitch; Reichsmarine; Rif contract; Police; Finnish; Stoeger contract; and 1921-dated examples.

Some of these variations are much rarer than such valued and sought-after variations as Old Model Test Eagles and Bulgarian, Old Model short-frame and carbines,
Dutch and German test, Vickers, Mauser K-code, Krieghoff, Mauser banner, dated Simson; or the scant handfuls of French transitionals, Bolivian, Mexican, Manufacture Francais des Armes et Cycles, RG and commercial army, Old Model unrelieved frame, “Russian”, army-production police, and so on. Name your most-desired collector pistol, and you can find an Alphabet Commercial more rare.

It is true that some of the Alphabet Commercial suffix ranges are mostly standard Parabellum pistols, intermixed with police P08s and occasionally salted with other variations. The Alphabet Commercial i suffix range stands out as being filled with a rich variety of examples. Identifiable variations include:

Standard Parabellum (9.5cm barrel, cal. 7,65mm)
New Model Commercial
New Model Swiss, c/N proofed
New Model Swiss, Beschuss-probe proofed
Abercrombie and Fitch, 7,65mm
Abercrombie and Fitch, 9mm
Krieghoff, Suhl back-frame stamp
Police P08

In 1920 DWM re-started production of P08s under contract for the German army. In 1921 the IMKK required this production to be shut down, releasing countless parts to be available for commercial production. Any now-surplus 1921 dated receivers became the source for the 1921-dated examples of any of the above variations

One could make a case for GERMANY stamped and unstamped examples of those above being separate variations, but that might be too pickayune even for me.

The 1921 chamber date found on some of these pistols reliably dates their manufacture to that year. Conventionally, the Alphabet Commercial I suffix range begins with sn 2000i, that number being coincident with the posited end of 5-digit serial numbering at sn 92000 (Jan Still, “Weimar Lugers”). It is hard to rectify this with Commercial Database reports of 5 examples lower than sn 2000i. Of these, four are reported as Stoeger-marked pistols, three being American Eagle stamped. There are no reports of American Eagle stamped pistols in the conventional range.

This post is a survey presentation of most of the i suffix variations.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442376503

From left to right, these pistols are:

2343i New Model Swiss Parabellum, c/N proof
3082i Abercrombie & Fitch, 9mm
3191i Abercrombie & Fitch, 7,65mm
4721i P08 police
5869i standard Parabellum, 1921 dated
7045i Krieghoff back-frame marked, 1921 dated
7078i Krieghoff back-frame marked
9611i New Model commercial Parabellum
9995i standard Parabellum

A 1921-dated police and a New Model Swiss with Beschuss-probe are missing from this survey; I am in the market .

Noteworthy Characteristics

All i suffix Alphabet Commercials share some of physical characteristics. They are all upright c/N proofed (except for a Swiss variation, noted below) and have reinforced frame backs. This latter is important for authentication of Abercrombie & Fitch pistols.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442376954

The letter suffixes on the frame and barrel are consistently different. The frame suffix is very short and angular, deeply chiseled with a round dot. The barrel suffix is taller and more rounded, with a square dot.

Sometimes an i suffix Alphabet Commercial is seen with a barrel-style suffix on the frame. These are variously large and wide, sometimes lacking the preceding “tail”, often without a dot or with the dot obviously stamped separately from the stem. While it might not be out of the question that an authentic barrel-style suffix could occasionally be found on the frame, this should raise the question of authenticity and prompt detail examination of the stamping and other characteristics if the pistol in question.

The Swiss New Model variations with grip safety retain the earlier Old and New Model routed/polished safety indicator.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377009

As seen in the examples above, the i suffix safety routings are a single router stroke, shallower, cruder, and applied with less care than the older pistol models. The top row illustrates the safety routings of sn 2343i, 3082i, and 3191i. For comparison, the lower row shows Swiss 1900 Military sn 128, New Model Parabellum sn 25091, and New Model Parabellum sn 55166. These older routings are wider than a single stroke and much smoother.

Swiss New Model i suffix Parabellum

DWM provided Parabellum pistols to the Swiss commercial market in two variations: complete pistols, and pistols assembled without barrels. These pistols all have long frames, with the Swiss federal Cross-in-Sunburst stamped on the chamber.

Parabellum sn 2343i is an example of a complete Swiss market pistol.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377117
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377117
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377117

This gun has a 9.5cm length barrel, in 7,65mm, with a Swiss-style front sight. It is proofed with an upright c/N. There are 16 of this variation identified in the Commercial Database, found between sn 2049i and 4339i. Some are reported with GERMANY export stamps.

[Dwight Gruber]

Part 2 of 5

Pistols sold into Switzerland without barrels are usually found with 4 ¾ inch barrels made by Hammerli in 7,65mm. They are always found without c/N proofs; very occasionally they are seen to bear the Swiss Beschuss-Probe proof stamp. There are two of these pistols reported in the Commercial Database with the Swiss proof, and three more with proof not reported. There is no example of this variation to profile here.

The 100 pistols imported and marked by Abercrombie and Fitch originate from this source. 51 had barrels in 7,65mm, and 49 had barrels in 9mm. The pistols were roll-stamped “ABERCROMBIE & FITCH Co NEW YORK” and “MADE IN SWITZERLAND” on the top of their barrels, either in a single line or two line configuration. The stamps were made at different times and in different places, so the letter forms are not identical. The pistols lack proofs of any sort.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377598
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377598
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377598

Abercrombie & Fitch sn 3191i is a 9mm example with a two-line inscription.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377698
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377698
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377698

Abercrombie & Fitch sn 3082i is a 7,65mm example with a one-line inscription.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377809
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377809

The Commercial Database lists 17 A&F Lugers reported in 7,65mm, 11 examples in 9mm, and three without a caliber report. The 9mm barrel is noticeably larger than the 7.65mm barrel. The difference is striking to anyone who only has experience with the 7.65mm Luger pencil-barrel. One of the authentic characteristics of the Hammerli barrels used on these pistols is their four-groove rifling, which can just be made out in the right photo above.

It is without doubt that some or many of the A&F pistols reported in the Commercial Database are fake. A&F pistols have been reported or observed with combinations of engraved, pantographed, or crudely stamped barrel inscriptions; inscriptions which have all the same letter forms and are in perfect alignment; wide safety routings; improper frame serial number suffixes; non-reinforced frames; and Swiss army acceptance crosses on the barrel, to note but a few inauthentic characteristics.

The biggest problem is, to know what an authentic Abercrombie and Fitch barrel inscription actually looks like. Three database reports include the existence of an accompanying sales receipt. However I, at least, am not aware of any high-quality photographs of an authentic pistol with which to compare. Harry Jones (“Luger Variations”, pp162-63) presents A&F sn 3060i which has a 1922 sales receipt but the photo, although tantalizing, is not of sufficient quality for critical comparison.

It is impossible to know whether the two pistols presented here are, in fact, authentic. Sn 3082i came from the collection of Doug Smith—not unimpeachably authentic, but good provenance to start. The sn 3082i barrel mark shows no gross departures from the “Luger Variations” picture.

Some collectors assert reflexively that A&F two-line inscriptions are fake. This pair of pistols provides the opportunity to examine that premise.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442377809

In a close-up, same-scale, adjacent comparison these two barrel stamps look the same. Superimposing the two images in Photoshop (not shown) reveals that they are, in fact, stamped from the same dies. Therefore, if the single-line stamping is authentic, then the two-line stamp is, as well. As a result of all the foregoing, I am as confident as it is possible to be that both of these pistols are authentic Abercrombie & Fitch Lugers.

[Dwight Gruber]

Part 3 of 5

Commercial New Model i suffix Parabellum

DWM assembled a scant handful of grip-safety New Model commercial Parabellums in the i suffix serial range. These pistols have short frames, with unmarked chambers. Their thumb safety is stamped GESICHERT in the lower position.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378207
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378207
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378207

Four of these pistols are reported in the Commercial Database, with the possibility of a fifth reported with incomplete details.

Standard i suffix Parabellum

Most of the pistols manufactured in the Alphabet Commercial range are standard Parabellum pistols, 9.5cm barrels in 7,65mm, with stock lug and lacking a grip safety. There are rare reports of conversion to P08 for police use.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378357
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378357

Sn 4721i was converted to a P08 for police use by being rebarrelled with a 10cm, 9mm barrel at some unknown time. The conversion happened in or near Berlin, denoted by the commercial c/N proof on the barrel. The pistol is chamber stamped with the 1920 property mark, an anachronism as it was made long after the stamp was required. It has a sear safety mounted, and it once had a magazine safety which has been completely removed.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378357

This pistol is unit marked after 1922 to the Berlin police. S.B.O.I.R.341: Schutzpolizei Berlin, (Gruppe) Ost (East Precinct), First Inspectorate (either Weißensee or Lichtenberg), Revierpolizei (Precinct Police), weapon number 341. This mark was cancelled and re-marked S.B.13371 (Schutzpolizei Berlin weapon number 13371) when the Berlin weapons inventory system was revised in 1932. (Thanks to Don Maus for the full unit mark translation.)

There are four i suffix police P08 conversions reported in the Commercial Database; two of them are unit marked under the 1922 regulations to the Schupo of Hannover.

[Dwight Gruber]

Part 4 of 5

In 1921 the firearms company of Krieghoff, Suhl, purchased several thousand standard Parabellum pistols for resale into the commercial market, in direct competition with DWM’s own commercial sales. The total number of the sale is unknown. Various sources suggest that all or nearly all of the i suffix production were sold to Krieghoff, but this is demonstrably not true. These pistols are identified by the stamps KRIEGHOFF SUHL located above the lanyard staple at the rear of the frame.

Most of the reports are of pistols in 7,65mm, but there are a few in 9mm. Many have GERMANY export marks, and they are proofed with the commercial c/N. Randall Gibson, in “The Krieghoff Parabellum”, notes that some are found with Suhl-pattern commercial proofs, but this is not reflected in the Commercial Database.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378732
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378732
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378732

Krieghoff back-frame marked Parabellum sn 7045i bears a 1921 chamber date.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378732
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378732
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378732

Krieghoff back-frame marked Parabellum sn 7078i has no date above the chamber.

The KRIEGHOFF SUHL stamps on the frame of these pistols are uncharacteristically sloppy and crude for such a fine quality firearms manufacturer as Krieghoff. There are actually two separate stamps involved. The KRIEGHOFF stamp has a broken O and the second horizontal of the F stamp is broken off; it is found stamped separately, sometimes near the expected letter location, and sometimes quite far away. Gibson reports it to occasionally be missing entirely. SUHL is stamped more heavily, and the two stamps are characteristically very poorly aligned,

The KRIEGHOFF SUHL stamps are always haloed, and the absence of halo is always symptomatic of a reblue. The stamps on sn 7078i (above) are haloed, but it is difficult to tell in the photograph.

With 54 reports, the Krieghoff back frame pistol is by far the most common i suffix variation in the Commercial Database. Almost a third of them are reported with 1921 dated chambers

Standard Parabellums in the i suffix range appear to be in a minority. Of the 35 unspecified reports in the database, only four are reported with 1921 dated chambers. As the unspecified entries may simply reflect the lack of reported data, it is likely that most of them represent something more than a standard pistol.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378886
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378886

Standard Parabellum sn 5869i has a chamber dated 1921.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378886
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442378886

Standard Parabellum sn 9995i is unremarkable in all ways. As it is five pistols from the end of the i suffix production range, it provides a fitting finish to this Alphabet Commercial i suffix survey.

[Dwight Gruber]

Part 5 of 5

An object lesson

…or then again, maybe not.

This post has been in the works for many months. It has taken that long to accumulate the pistols, take the photographs and post-process them (more than a couple of times: I am a perfectionist when it comes to gun photography—just ask Ed!—and they are still not quite there), and write the text. I have waited in hopes of tracking down the last couple of variations so I could include them in a photo session without having to re-create the lighting set-up in my very temporary studio space.

About three weeks ago I ran into an advertisement for a “DWM Luger Model 1906 9mm Para,” sn 2961 with no suffix. In its two solitary, dark photos—both sides—I could just make out a Swiss cross-in-sunburst atop the receiver. It looked worthwhile to follow up, so I called the dealer.

We determined that it indeed had an i serial number suffix, a routed/polished safety area, and a beschuss-probe proof under the barrel. Over the phone, at least, it sounded like I had found one of the two variations I was still looking for. I neglected to confirm the caliber. After making the arrangement to buy it, I thought that the 9mm caliber might at least be plausible, and in any case I was certainly going to find out.

In due course the pistol arrived, before I took down my photo lighting setup.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442379305
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442379305
http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442379305
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http://forum.lugerforum.com/attachme...1&d=1442379305

Sn 2961i is chambered in 7,65mm. As far as its being an i suffix Swiss Alphabet Commercial, it is a long frame and the back of the frame is reinforced. There is an importer mark on the frame beneath the left grip panel, not pictured. The pistol has several questionable features.

The frame serial number suffix mimics a standard barrel suffix stamp, but it is slightly large, rounded, the preceding tail is pronounced, and there is no dot over the i.

There is no c/N proof, and the barrel does indeed have the beschuss-probe. However, there is evidence that the pistol has been rebarrelled. The barrel has two Swiss army acceptance crosses, which would not be present on a commercial barrel. The receiver flats on both sides have been damaged, as though held in a vice badly, and the left receiver has been damaged or worked in such a way which would obliterate any mark if one had been there. The receiver serial number appears to have an overstamp.

The safety area routing has a “chased” edge, overriding the circular routing marks. This is commonly seen as a way to refresh the routing edge and remove any spill-over when the area around the routing has been reblued. The chasing seen on this gun is very pronounced; the work is often much more delicately performed. The receiver flat damage/alteration is sufficient that these areas would require reblue as well. There is damage to the leftmost rays of the chamber sunburst, again likely requiring reblue.

The most puzzling feature of this gun is the Swiss privatization P stamp applied to the trigger guard. Its presence makes no sense. This stamp would not ever be applied to a foreign-manufacture commercial pistol, and if it has been applied along with the other features to “boost” the gun it is impossible to guess what it might be intended to emulate. (Thanks to Pete Ebbink for helping clarify the privatization concern.)

So, I returned the pistol, on the basis of the 9mm/7,65mm discrepancy: it avoided a lot of boring collector justification. I put it out of my mind, and carried on with the presentation you have just read.

Too bad, too, if it had been a 9mm Hammerli barrel I would have at least kept it as an interesting shooter.

--Dwight

[Sergio Natali]

Dwight

I've just finished to read this series of five posts, and to call them interesting is surely an understatement.
You've done an amazing job.
I can only imagine the effort it took you for writing this sort of "monument" to the Alphabet Commercial.
With all the respect I think this is somehing that somehow should be treasured by this Forum as some sort of sticky.
Chapeau.


Sergio

[wlyon]

Dwight
Amazing research!!!!! Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge. Bill

[DonVoigt]

Nice work, well written.
Thanks for sharing.

[John Sabato]

Promoted to a Sticky! Thanks Dwight. Amazing work and great contribution to Luger history! ...and thanks to Sergio for the suggestion to stick this thread.

[Don M]

I am speechless at the depth and thoroughness of this research and presentation. This is a great example of why I am always hesitant to disagree with Dwight on any topic!! Fantastic job.

[tomaustin]

WOW.........thank you....I will buy one with more respect for the pistol.................

[rhuff]

Thank you very much for all of your time and labor on this subject. Unfortunately for me, all of my i suffix alphabet lugers are the "garden variety" type, but I still love them and enjoy shooting them.

[AR-50A1]

Hello Dwight,

Today I ran across an Alphabet that a guy was trying to identify in one of the internet groups I frequent. Serial number 6478 i . A vertical C/N on left side of receiver extension, DWM, barrel & receiver matched. I could not make out the caliber markings on the bottom of the barrel. I did not see this pistol on your 'list'. If you should have questions let me know as I can get back to the individual who owns this pistol.

Bill

[spangy]

Thank you so much Dwight ... I will need to read this many times to digest all the incredible information you have given us.

So glad I joined LugerForum ... The people and knowledge available here is 2nd to none.