1924 Simson Rig

PHOENIX INVESTMENT ARMS - PREMIUM COLLECTOR LUGERS
Genuine German Luger - Largest Variety of Lugers Offered Offered

This is a 1930's Simson & Co., Luger made for the German Weimar Military. It is 9mm with a 4" barrel length and is fantastically proofed. This Parabellum has all matching serial numbers to include matching, original grips. Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "Geladen." The barrel is numbered and proofed and matches the frame. (1822)

NOTE: Photographs taken today with the high mega-pixel camera show more than we sometimes can see with the human eye. Magnified close-ups show us tool marks and natural surface conditions that one normally doesn't see in the ordinary handling of the weapon. Photographs are copyrighted, all rights reserved, any extraction, reproduction or display of gun pictures without the express consent of the Phoenix Investment Arms is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation. Please visit Legal (tabbed) for Conditions of Sale.

Simson & Co., were the designated sole producers of the Parabellum after WWI. Simson began producing Lugers for the Weimar Republic from April 1, 1924 until March 31, 1934. Hence the 1925-1926 chamber dates. Some people write that dated Simpsons' are all re-works; others indicate that after the initial supply of parts from Erfurt were expended Simson built their own. No Simson worker nor documentation has survived to verify all the antidotal history, so we have to surmise most of our information from collective inspections of various guns attributed to Simson and their multitude of identifying proofs.


This Simson has all the Eagle/6 Simson 1st & 2nd proofs plus Weimar acceptance marks. There are several indications this was a Parabellum made from both DWM parts and Simson produced parts.

The serial number appears on the front of the frame, on the left side of the receiver, under the barrel and the last two digits on most small parts. All serials match not including the magazine that is correct with all proofs. There are inspector marks all over the weapon in a variety of eagle 6 stamps. Most prominent is the Eagle 6 Simpson Military First Inspection proof. Proof marks are well struck and clearly visible.

Here is visible the four digit serial number, the exact caliber,8.82, and the 1st Military parts proof on the front trigger guard and on the locking bolt lever. The barrel reveals the serial number and gauge markings while the frame has both the early Stage I & II proofs. On he right the matching magazine has the Eagle 6 proof while the bottom of the rear frame has two E/6 proofs.

Left Up: Looking up one can see the trigger, locking lever and magazine release are all straw colored. See below concerning bluing. Above Right: See at the bottom of the frame by the magazine well one can see two more Eagle 6 proofs and at the bottom of the magazine there are two Eagle six proofs.

The tale remains in the proofs. Note above the 1st and 2nd Military proofs, the and then the Simson final acceptance proof; all finely struck and good examples. The final acceptance stamp also appears on the front toggle. Also note the Weimar acceptance Eagle; multiple serial numbers and Weimar proof on the breechblock.

The recent book by Edward Tinker and Graham Johnson, The Simson Luger has attempted to document by profusely illustrating the development of the Simson Luger and provides extensive research into this most prized collector Parabellum. This is a marvelous gun to study for all the proofs it provides.


This is a very clean Luger and an excellent collectors piece with all the historic proofs and a complete military rig. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and when exposed (safety down) means safe.

The firing pin is numbered and is the later fluted design; one can see the tiny Eagle 6 Proofs on these small parts. Below: The first toggle link is marked with the Simson & Co monogram and the beveled edges reveal DWM manufacture vs. the later Simson toggle link that was more square.

The Breach Block has the Weimar proof on the left side and the last two digits of the serial number (77); the extractor has both the Eagle 6 proof & ser #; the first toggle link in addition to the Simson Logo has the Eagle 6 and '77' on top and the rear toggle has the Eagle 6 anf 77 and a small Eagle 6 on the connecting rod,

The grips are serial numbered to the gun. The magazine is proofed with the Simson Eagle 6. In 1932 the Reichswehrministerium issued an order that the rear connecting pin be serial numbered to the gun. You can also see a fine examples of the fire-blued pin. This at the very least helps us date this gun to the late '20's or prior to 1934 when at Ser #10,000 the 2nd toggle changed to "S".

On the back of the trigger and the rear of the magazine release is the Eagle 6 Simson Proof. Above Right: Note the Eagle 6 proof on the side plate & locking lever. The proofs also appear on the top & bottom of the thumb safety. These small proofs follow the pattern of the early Erfurts and the 1910 order for proof marks.

The rear toggle is also proofed and serial numbered to the gun. There is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link and it has a stock lug and Geladen (Loaded) on the extractor.

Simson & Co., manufactured Lugers for the German Military from 1922 to 1934 in Suhl Germany. This weapon shows no evidence of being a re-work or just assembled by Simson from DWM or Erfurt parts. As with most Lugers, the tale of the gun is in its proofs and these Simson proofs place it as a newly manufactured gun made on or after 1933.


Note the proof on the back of the trigger and the magazine release. Simson was not to be upstaged by the proofing of their presumed predecessor the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt.

The grip screws even bear a tiny Eagle 6 Proof.

The first toggle link is marked with the Simson & Co monogram and the beveled edges reveal DWM manufacture vs. the later Simson toggle link that was more square. The lower grip area also has the pronounced toe on the front of the frame; subsequently reduced in the Erfurt & Simson production.

A= Eagle 6 (Proof of Simson; B= Weimar Proof; F=Last 2 digitd of Serial Number.

Simson Serial Numbering ran from 1 to below 600 on "1925" dated the Simson guns and below 700 for the "1926" dated guns. Simson Parabellum after serial number 700 were undated and bore two-line Simson toggle up to approximately 10000 when the "S" Code toggle was introduced in 1934. There are no records indicating the annual delivery of Lugers to the Reichswehr, however extrapolation would put production of this gun in 1932.

The Simson Luger association was a by-product of the Treaty of Versailles. Then as the only producer of Lugers, Simson inherited (bought?) all the parts, dies and equipment of the Erfurt Arsenal after the First World War. Unfortunately, this firm was Jewish owned and when Hitler came to power in 1934 its association with Luger production was assimulated.

The most distinctive feature of these pistols is undoubtedly the toggle-lock mechanism, which holds the breech closed by locking in a manner not unlike the human knee, which can sustain a heavy weight when straight, but once bent is quite easy to continue to bend. The toggle joint in its straight position resists the rearward force of the detonating cartridge, then "buckles" after enough time has passed. When a round is fired the entire breech, barrel and toggle move straight rearward (on rails) until the toggle begins to ride up on a pair of cams that "breaks" the toggle (makes it bend at the joint). Once the toggle joint is no longer straight, it bends freely, allowing the bolt to come rearward, and the striker to be cocked. The spent cartridge is extracted by a combination extractor/loaded chamber indicator on the top of the toggle, is ejected as the toggle nears the end of its rearward free travel, returning, and a new round is stripped from the magazine and chambered as the toggle is driven back to the straight position by a spring.

The extractor is marked Geladen (Loaded) and raised when loaded so you can not only see but feel the extractor in unlighted situations. The Luger is marked in the commercial manner with the four digit serial number on the frame, the bottom of the barrel (horizontally) and left side. Two digit number appear on the breach block, under the toggle and trigger. The rear thumb safety has the slight indent of the original frames that one can feel with their finger.

It is entirely subjective to give any Luger a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few Lugers are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder. If there are any other pictures of some position of the gun or questions about the Luger please contact josef@www.phoenixinvestmentarms.com

The Simson contract ran from 1923 to be renewed annually which mostly covered the re-work of military pistols, The 1925 contract with the Reichswehrministerium (Rw.M) 1934 ending with the "S" marked toggle code. There were only approximately 12,000 Simson P-08's produced on this contract with the numbering beginning in 1925 with 1 to approximately 2000a.

This Luger has been well cared for over the years and properly stored in a private collection. It is entirely subjective to give any Luger a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few Lugers are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder. >See Lugers at Random P 222-223. Görtz & Sturgess Volume II

Simson & Co., received the machinery from the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt and apparently some of the tradesman that worked at the Erfurt factory. The method of proofing every part is reminiscent of the Erfurt's where no detail was too small. What a wonderful gun to study.

Most distinctive to these Parabellum are those parts which were annealed after hardening to a golden yellow color (straw) from early production models until 1937. Less noticeable, because they are usually of less in original appearance, are the components which were tempered to a higher temperature and left with a bright fire blue-color, the grip screws, foresight blade, etc. This was achieved by heating the parts to a very high temperature and then letting them cool by themselves. This does not present a very strong finish but significantly adds to the guns appearance.

We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. If you need additional pictures to complete your buying decisions then direct Questions to: josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com

These are a very difficult Luger to find. Limited production during the 20's and early 1930's of only 12,000 guns makes it highly desirable. Their rarity has been acknowledged by collectors have made Simson's a good investment gun. If there are any questions email josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com.

Simson's due to their limited production and fine quality have become recognized for their investment value by collectors much like the Krieghoff. If one is to have one Simson in their collection this would be the one. If you are a Simson collector you would know how difficult it is to find one of these undated models in this fine of condition. This Parabellum is offered for $3495.00 over-the-counter counter.

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Simson Luger

LAYAWAYS: Sometimes our "significant other" doesn't understand the beauty, craftsmanship and investment potential of one of these investor grade weapons. In these circumstances where discretion becomes the better part of valor we will accept layaways of up to one year with at least 20% down and some activity occurring monthly to insure that after one year the sale is completed. Cancellations of layaways forfeit 33% if done within two months, otherwise 100%. You can transfer a layaway to a consignment sale at any time. See "Legal" for exact terms.

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We honor a three day return policy. We will answer any questions, send you any pictures, as detailed as you want, to insure that what we are showing you is what you want to see, before you buy it. See Legal.

FIRING ANY WEAPON NEGATES ANY CHANCE OF RETURN!

WARNING: We do not represent these guns as safe to fire. They are not test fired before sale; they are sold as collectibles only. Prior to firing you should have it inspected by a qualified individual and abide by all safety requirements.

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