This is an exceptionally rare and equally outstanding example of an Iranian contract Mauser cutaway Luger pistol. These Iranian commercial contract Lugers were produced under two separate commercial contracts, one in 1936 and the second in 1942, with 1,000 pistols ordered in each contract and were made up with both short and long artillery barrel length Luger pistols. These are an extremely rare Luger as almost no examples were ever released by the Government of Iran. This being a cutaway Persian contract example, it is estimated that 50 total were ever produced. According to Gortz and Sturgess on page 619 of "Pistole Parabellum, Volume II," regarding the Persian cutaways, "...in a separate serial number block, presumably numbered from 1 to 50, were 50 cutaway instructional short P.08s..." As noted on all Persian contract Lugers, the numerals are in Eastern Arabic, except that there is no Iranian coat of arms on the top of the chamber area as most of that was sectioned away, and it has cutaways in various areas to show the complete inner workings of the pistol. In all there are 22 different windows cutaway on both sides of the pistol which show how all the parts interface and function together. All the various parts are correctly marked with the Eastern Arabic numerals for serial number 28, except the barrel which is numbered in English "18". The left side of the barrel and right side of the trigger have a medium sized letter "U" proof similar to the letter used on rejected parts. It is complete with the original "matching" number magazine.

Excellent with 99% of the original blue finish overall. The various small parts retain 99% of their original straw colors with only minor fading. The grips are also excellent with nice sharp distinct checkering on both sides and minimal handling marks. If this pistol was handled at all it wasn't very much, as it has obviously been well cared for and remains in outstanding condition. An excellent example of a very rare Persian contract cutaway Luger pistol.