06/24 Bern

[champ7fc]

This is a photo of my Swiss Bern Rig. Not yet complete but I am working on it. Hope you enjoy.

[drbuster]

cfm, another beauty like your 1900 AE. Keep the photos coming!

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Craig,

Great looking Swiss luger.

BTW...your holster appears to be more correct for the M1929 Swiss Bern luger than for a '24 Bern. A new holster style was developed for the M1929.

What is the date on the back of your holster ?

I have posted some of my Swiss holsters so you can see the style more appropriate for a M1906 or a '24 Bern.

(I know a fellow in Europe that has several for sale. If you are interested, send me a PM with your email and I will send you his contact info. and photos of his holsters for sale. Most of them come with shoulder straps.)

Here is a description :

Starting at the 12 o'clock postion and rotating clock-wise, the holsters are :

1. 1919-dated commercial.
2. Un-dated commerical.
3. 1941-dated for customs service.
4. Un-dated commerical.
5. Undated M1900/M1906 with unique side pouch added.
6. M1900, 1904-dated Ordnance.
7. M1929, 1937-dated Ordnance.
8. M1906, 1920-dated Ordnance with top pouch added.

[champ7fc]

Hi pete, I figured you would pick that up , I also have a 1929 with a holster and strap that I will post soon. I will contact you about the proper holster as soon as I can. Thanks for the comments.
Best regards, Craig

[pisto]

Pete, have seen late production o6/24 with that kind of holsters before.

[grapppa]

Pete,

Absolutely wonderful picture! For us neophytes, can you describe the periods to which the holsters apply? And what the fair market value of each would be? I have an '05 holster that I would like to match up to yours...

Thanks.

Paul

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Paul,

I consider all of my holsters in the photo (except the one in the 9 o'clock postion) as M1900/M1906 holsters. The style remained mostly the same during this era. Exceptions are an added pouch to the top of the closure flap (as in the 11 o'clock holster position) or one added to the side (as in the 6 o'clock holster position).

I would use the date-stamping of a holster to determine if it is more appropriate for a M1900 luger or the later M1906 luger. If commercial and undated and not maker-marked, it would be difficult to determin when it was made...so a commerical could be "good" for either a M1900 or a M1906.

The holster shown in the 9 o'clock holster position is the redesigned holster for the M1929 luger. Its overall shape (especially as viewed from the back) is much different that the M1900/M1906 holsters.

I have picked up all of my Swiss luger holsters over the past 4 years. I was lucky to pay $ 125-200 for most...when their value was low. I did pay $ 300-350 for a couple in the last year or so...but I wanted them badly as they date-matched a luger I had.

If I were to sell any of my holsters today, I think I would make some profit. But I will keep them for now...until a nicer conditioned one shows up...


Hi Pisto,

The M1929 Swiss luger was issued from 1933 through 1947. Any "redesigned" Swiss holster (as in the 9 o'clock holster postion in my photo, above) with a date-stamp of 1933-1947 and even later would be, IMHO, considered a M1929 style holster.

The 06/24 Bern luger was made between 1918 through 1933. If a M1929 style holster has a date earlier than 1933, then you may be right and such a holster would be made for the 06/24 Luger.

I have not, yet, seen a M1929 holster with a date earlier than 1933. But it might be possible.

If you have seen one with the early date or have a photo, that would be great to share this info.

I have seen several 06/24 Bern lugers and even M1906 DWM-Swiss lugers "matched" with a M1929 holster dated after 1933. I suspect, in these cases, the older M1906 holster wore out and the luger owner purchased and used a M1929 holster as his replacement holster.

I suspect when the M1929 Swiss Luger was redesigned to reduce costs and manufacturing time, the folks in CH decided to redesign the luger holster to a "new" design that took less time and costs to produce, as well. This is only a guess on my part...I have no documentation to support this WAG.

The biggest difference between the M1900/M1906 holster and the later M1929 holster is that the former is made of a separate front and back piece of leather sewn along both sides. The M1929 is made of one piece of leather, folded upon itself and sewn only along one side. Other differences in overall shape and shape of closure flap can be seen in the photos, as well. Shape and sewing of the closure flap is quite different, too.

[pisto]

Pete, I�´m in contact with that guy owning the 06/24 Luger with the late type model 29. holster.
Will come back when I got the exact information.
I have seen the gun 2 jears ago, so I can not remember it exactly.
Roland

[champ7fc]

Pete: The holster pictured with my 06/24 has an oval makers stamp with G.Hanni on the top of the oval, in the center is 39 and on the bottom is Bern. The 06/29 holster has the stamp A.B Uhler, sattler MURI [ AARD ] and 43 along side. It appears that I have a correct holster for the 1929 but not for the Bern. I hope this info is helpful.
Craig

[Pete Ebbink]

Roland,

Great...will looke forward to what you learn about your friends holster.

Craig,

If you let me know the serial number of your 06/24 Bern luger (i.e. 259xx) I can keep an eye out here in the States for the dated-holster close to your gun's manufacturer date...

I seem to get to see 15-20 Swiss holsters in my travels in person each year that do not appear on forums and Internet gun sites...

(Text Added : Sorry, Craig...I had forgotten you sent me your 1929-date for your luger's manufacturer date previousl. I have made a note in my gun show binder...so will look out for a 1929 or 1930 dated holster in my travels...).

[Dick Herman]

Hi Pete,

I have two (2) Swiss holsters that came with my Swiss Lugers. Here is a basic description of my holsters.

I have an unmarked holster that came with my 06/24 many years ago. The holster appears to be similar to No. 2 in your circle above The holster body is two (2) pieces stitched together on the sides. My holster fits like a glove making removal of the pistol difficult. This maybe why the Swiss have always been neutral. Visually there appear to be two (2) differences with your No. 2. The lock down strap on my holster is secured to the overflap by two (2) parrellel stitches and the overflap does not have end encapsulating pieces.

The holster that came with my 1929 appears to be like your No. 7 holster. My holster is marked on the back "P.WERLE/SUSTEN,Vs/45". The ordnance mark in the inside of the overfap is "Swiss Cross/J" in a cartouche.

I hope this info is of some value.

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Dick,

Would it be possible to post up some photos of your first holster.

The 2 parallel lines of stitching on the closure straps is proper on early and on some commercial holsters.

I am interested in seeing the details of the closure top without the 'ends'.

Thanks !

[zorito]

hi. pete
i am new to lugers and the forum. need help. i was recently given a 06\24 swiss luger sn29048.iwould like to know the DOM if possible. also is a holster like # 6 in your display. on the back is an oval with a 9 inthe center and bern across the bottom, ithink there was something written in the top of the oval, but i cannot read it. any help appriciated thanks, Zorito

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Jim.

Your Luger # 29048 was made by the Swiss at Bern in the year 1929 when they made 1,401 guns that year; as listed on V. Bobba's Swiss production tables in his Swiss luger book.

BTW...does the "island" on your trigger side plate extend all the way to the top edge of the side plate ?

The "9" on your holster maker's mark may indicate the holster was made in 1909...that would be my guess. The markings across the top of the stamping would probably be the name of the saddler who made your holster...located in the city of Bern.

I try to match up a gun's year of manufacturer to the same date on the holster...takes some time to find the right leather date and in the right condition, but I am just a bit "OCD" (obsessive, complusive disorder...) about having the dates line up...

[zorito]

thanks for the prompt reply. 1.the island does extend to the top of the sideplate. 2. after some mild cleaning the holster does have 1909 in the center of the oval. on the top i can make out **offe* very faint. hope this helps. Jim

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the follow-up info. I am still coming up blanks on a possible name of your holster maker, sorry.

BTW...are the inside surfaces of your Luger's frame blued ?

Reason I ask, is that around the same time (~ serial 27xxx), Bern changed to the taller "island" on the trigger side plate and went from rust blue to a dip blue process for finishing. The two changes did not necessarily occur simultaneously and there is some 200-300 serial number range overlap when you eventually will see both revisions to the later Bern guns.

[zorito]

hi. pete yes the inside surfaces are blued. overall the condition is 98/99%blue and straw. most beautaful gun i have ever seen. thanks Jim