This is a beautiful, totally original example of a very rare and very early, one of a kind, presentation DWM Model 1900 Commercial Luger pistol that was presented to Colonel Theodore A. Bingham who was Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds in the District of Columbia at that time. It is theorized that this wonderful Luger was presented to him on behalf of the DWM factory by Hans Tauscher, the noted German spy, saboteur, and sales agent for the DWM Company. Tauscher started working for the DWM factory as a sales agent in the U.S. in 1897/98 in New York and also appears to have been in the States earlier in that decade. He continued to work as a sales agent for the DWM factory and the German government in the U.S. until he was charged with of being part of a spy ring under the control of Captain Von Papen. He was not convicted but was sent back to Europe. He returned to the U.S. before WWII. Von Papen was instrumental in getting Adolf Hitler appointed as Reich Chancellor and eventually became a general in the German Army during WWII. Theodore A. Bingham graduated from the West Point Military Academy in 1879 and received a commission as second lieutenant. Between 1879 and 1890, he served in various capacities as an engineering officer and as a military attache in Berlin and Rome. He served as superintendent of the public buildings and grounds at Washington, D.C. from 1897 to 1901 with the rank of colonel. Later, from 1906 to 1909, he was the New York City Police Commissioner. The position of Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds in Washington, D.C. may seem to be a relatively simple appointment today, but at that time Tauscher may have befriended him using this presentation Luger to become acquainted with many high ranking military contacts in Washington. This naturally would have helped him when the testing of the .45 ACP pistol was conducted in 1907. A full tour of all the buildings and grounds may have also helped him if he planned to carry out some kind of saboteur work later on behalf of the German government. While not documentation is available to substantiate this latter intent, it is easy to jump to these potentially damning conjectures! The pistol itself is a extremely early example that is in all probability the very first DWM Model 1900 Luger manufactured as serial numbers are reported to have began at 2001 after the 2,000 gun Swiss 1900 Luger contract was filled. Obviously, this a very special and very rare early Luger pistol even without the historical connections. The pistol is from the famed Ralph Shattuck Collection and is a beautiful and all original. It has the large intertwined gold inlaid initials "TAB" (Theodore A. Bingham) roll marked over the chamber area and the standard DWM markings on the front toggle. This pistol has the early features such as the early long frame with flat recoil spring, dished toggles with toggle lock, recessed breechblock, 4 3/4 inch tapered barrel, grip safety, and first type safety with the bright polished lower safety area. Interestingly, this pistol has the early second type safety lever with the slightly higher raised thumb area that is checkered and not serrated, and the left side of the barrel has a small Swiss Cross firing proof; both of these features were used on the first Swiss contract Lugers and clearly indicate that DWM reused left over contract parts in following commercial contracts. It has the correct commercial style serial number placement with serial number "2001" stamped on the front of the frame and underside of the barrel and the last two digits on the trigger, side plate, breechblock and toggle train. The takedown lever has the serial number stamped on the right side, raised dome area, like the later U.S. Test Eagle Lugers. This wonderful and historic Luger is complete with the original DWM factory black leatherette storage/carrying case. On top of the lid is a small oval 1 3/4 x 2 1/4 inch silver name plate that is marked "Colonel/Theodore/A. Bingham". The case contains two original wooden base commercial magazines, a brass cleaning rod with the steel oiler/handle, a takedown pin-punch and two smaller tins; one for lubrication grease and the other one a small oiler, both with leather covers. The Luger has a beautiful rust blued finish, straw colored smaller parts, and checkered walnut grips.

Excellent plus with 99% of the bright original blue finish overall with just a hint of edge wear and a small spot of blue loss on the very lower front grip strap edge. The smaller parts retain 95% plus of their vivid original straw colors with slightly less on the trigger and a little more on the takedown lever. The grips are also in excellent plus condition with nice distinct checkering overall and the left side showing a few minor nicks in the checkered diamonds at the top rear edge. The case is in fine condition overall with a nice black leatherette cover on the outside showing light wear around the edges and most of the slightly faded original green felt interior lining complete with a little separation at the top. The felt needs to be cleaned or vacuumed as it has been in storage for a considerable number of years. Really a fabulous, super rare all original early DWM Model 1900 Presentation Luger pistol with great historical significance!