Will a Swiss 1929 type grip safety fit an Old Model Parabellum(1900/1906)?

[DonVoigt]

This question arose when I was searching for a grip safety for my
1900 luger (Old Model Parabellum) shooter build. After discussing with Lugerdoc we decided probably not. But we were both interested enough to try, so after a little dealing I bought a surplus Swiss safety from his stock. The Swiss is the same style part used by Mauser in the 1970s for their grip safety- since they largely copied the last Swiss luger iteration and used machinery and drawings from the Swiss.

So, the short answer is NO.
The really long answer, is Yes; If one puts sufficient time and effort into the "modification" or perhaps more appropriate would be the
"rebuilding" of the Swiss style safety!

The Swiss grip safety is "different", not even close- well except they do look alike if you hold them a foot apart. 😁

Let me count the ways:
-too long over all
-too long from the pivot pin to the grip "pad"
-pivot pin is a larger diameter than the original
-palm grip pad too long, and of course the right side has to go
-palm grip had to be shortened at top and bottom to give
clearance to move the safety sufficiently to disengage
-the spine-or flat part- is also too wide and must be reduced both above and below the grip pad
-top part that blocks the sear is too small and too long(the cut in the Mauser frame must be
in a different place and of a different length)
-The only thing that wound up in the right place was the tab for the grip safety spring!

Anyway, after 3 or 4 days and 8 or 10 hours, I made it work.

I had to cut and braze an entire new "top" pad, move the bottom pivot up 3/16" and use a smaller pin,
cut the palm pad right side away completely, and reduce top and bottom to clear the frame, and narrow the spine.

I made all the changes on the safety, not changing anything on the frame.

So long story short- not a practical idea- but if someone positively had to have a grip safety, it can be done.
One would need to have the entire pistol to make sure it worked properly and fit the safety to both the grips and frame.

This is not an undertaking for the impatient or one with unsteady hands at the grinder! One false move and you need another Swiss safety to start over with!!

I've attached a few pictures of before and after and the modified safety and original one in my frame, they both work!!! And the final 1900 shooter "together". (Ran out of picture room, so the finished shooter is in post #2)

I learned quite a bit in remaking this safety, and am happy I tried and finally succeeded.

Meanwhile of course, one of our fine members helped me out with an original 1900 grip safety! So now I have a spare.