Persian Artillery

1934 Mauser Persian Artillery Rig Archived

This is a 1934-36 Persian Contract gun manufactured by Mauser for the Shah of Iran. This piece is a 8 inch (200mm) 9mm Parabellum which by serial number places it in the 2nd lot of pistols to leave Mauser in June 1936 for the Persian Military Contract. (535)


If you are an Artillery Luger collector this is the Crown Jewel of collections. Mauser collectors view this as one of best of the early '30s contract guns. With all the writing in Farsi, including the serial numbers this is one of the most unusual Lugers in existence.

This is a standard 1914 Model artillery Luger, built on the DWM frame and designated by collectors as the Persian Mauser Contract Luger. The finish is 98% Blued and 96% straw blued and model has a hold open latch.


	Over the chamber is the Royal Seal of the Pahlavi family. Above is the crown The first toggle link is marked with the Farsi script stating Mauser, and there is the "V" rear sight on the rear toggle link and the last two digits of the serial number appear in Farsi.

Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia; 26 October 1919 – 27 July 1980), ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979. The most recent Shah of Iran, He was the second and last monarch of the House of Pahlavi of the Iranian monarchy of the Pahlavi Dynasty, which ruled from 1925 until the abdication in 1979.

This family attempted to modernize the nation and Germany, emerging from the WWI and the great depression was an emerging power house in the world. The influence and technology of the Germans were sought and as the Persians aligned themselves with the Germans.

The young prince came to power during World War II after an Anglo-Soviet invasion forced the abdication of his father Reza Shah. During his reign, the Iranian oil industry was nationalized under Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, and Iran marked the anniversary of 2,500 years of continuous monarchy since the founding of the Persian Empire by Cyrus the Great. The Shah's White Revolution, a series of economic and social reforms intended to transform Iran into a global power, succeeded in modernizing the nation, nationalizing many natural resources, and extending suffrage to women.

A secular Muslim himself, the Shah gradually lost support from the Shi'a clergy of Iran, particularly due to his strong policy of modernization, secularization, conflict with the traditional class of merchants known as bazaari, and recognition of Israel.

With the all matching Persian Mauser Artillery model comes two matching magazines in a dual leather pouch attached to the original leather and Farsi marked stock. The holster is original with a Artillery cleaning rod and loading tool.

The Farsi markings along with the Farsi numbering and proofs on most of the parts makes the Persian Parabellum one of the most unique and sought after production Lugers. There is some question about the total number of Lugers in this contract. Some quote 2000, other state that there were 2000 (@) 100mm and 980 (@) 200mm barrels. Somewhere in the sequential serial numbers for the "Artillery" models is the gap created by Siamese guns.

Originally the Islamic countries operated from a lunar calendar begun with the flight of Mohamed from Mecca to Medina in 622. Persia in an effort to modernize adopted the solar calendar (365 days/yr) in the 1920 but adopted the flight of Mohamed as year one. Therefore, it is believed, that the inscription in Farsi on the right of the receiver reads 1314 but one must add 621 (yrs) to that number to achieve the Model 1935.

Located on the right of the receiver is the Farsi inscription "1314-model short Parabellum pistol". This is commonly interpreted to read Pistol Model 1314 (1935). Adjacent to that is the Crown Property mark. The bore is good and the action is tight indicating it has not been fired many times.
	The Serial #3931, is proceeded by the Oberndorf proof and a inspectors proof in Farsi . Then the last two numbers of the serial on the side plate and take down lever. On the Left of the Receiver is the Crown U, Mauser Oberndorf Proof. All the Serial Numbers are in Farsi throughout the gun. It appears to be completely matching to the best of our understanding of Farsi. In any case this is a very rare model in the US.
The magazine is also marked in Farsi with the serial number. The magazine is serial #3432. The grips are in good shape. The grips are fine checkered walnut and match the gun. See Kenyon Lugers at Random Page 268 Walter, Page 204 Even the Mauser Banner is written in Farsi. Uniquely Persian.
	Left is the Farsi marked stock to the gun. The leather is exceptional and the original. When the artillery models were released by Iran a significant number of them had the leather discarded because of wear and incompleteness. At that time local companies were employed to duplicate the leather and these still show up in the market place attached to authentic stocks. This rig however, is original.

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. The serial number appears on the front of the frame, on the bottom of the locking bolt, on the trigger, on the bottom of the barrel, the receiver lug, on the left side of the breech block.

The Persian contract is considered one of the exotic and impressive factory marked Luger of all the production guns. This rig has even has the identity plate attached to the very early artillery straps. This rig consists of the additional magazine pouch, the holster, loading tool, cleaning rod, stock and of course the holster and accompanying leather.

The Persian Coat of Arms is represented by a Lion with the Sun rising over his back, the right paw is holding a Sword, the left paw a banner, all under a crown.
The thumb safety is new style, and straw blued on both the gun and the stock making it truly an original. This Luger has all matching numbers. This is said to be one of the finest examples of Mauser Luger production and coveted by the advance collector.

This is a seldom seen Luger variation and an extraordinarily sought after piece for the Mauser collector.