Those that do generally fall into three blocks of serial numbers those in the serial number block between 1-44 as reported in official documents from the returning East Africa Expeditionary Force in 1908, with no survivors, those in the serial number block between 36-86 with "8" known surviving examples (with this exact pistol listed by serial number in Jan Still's excellent book on Imperial Luger's page 159-161) with another group of identified pistols generally falling into the serial number block in the 144-1,148 range, with only "21" total surviving examples known today in the world! Obviously these true 1904 Navy Lugers are an extremely rare piece and are never found in any Luger collection. At the time the order was placed, it is estimated that the order was for approximately 2,000 pistols, with only a very few surviving examples existing today. Formal approval by the German Navy High Command didn't actually take place until May 1905, consequently making these a pre-contract example. 1904, prior to any Luger pistol being adopted by the German Navy, as they were intended to be replacements for the old Reichs revolver and the German Navy High Command wanted replacements ordered immediately. These early Navy Lugers were actually ordered in Dec. This is an outstanding example of an original, DWM 1904 German Navy contract Luger pistol.
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