Manufactured by DWM for sale to the Swiss, instead of the Swiss "+" style proofs or the German crown over "B", "U" or "G" proofs which would be appropriate to the era, this pistol is proofed with the 'lazy' "crown/N" German nitro proofs in use from 1911 through mid-1920. Noted Luger author and expert Charles Kenyon Jr., who provided a signed appraisal for this pistol, posits a theory regarding how this marking combination came about. The 1900s were a period of rapid development and change for the Luger, both adding features that customers requested and altering features that were found unpopular. One of those features, the early "flat button" magazine follower, was found on early 1900s; the loading button is checkered but rests low, and is secured to the follower with a thin threaded shank that end-users found to be prone to backing out or breaking off. A fix was introduced in the form of a more pronounced and ruggedly attached button, which required alterations to the right grip panel and magazine well and became standard through the end of production. The flat button 1900s still in production at the time were bumped to the "back of the bin" in favor of the new design, and stayed there until stocks of commercial weapons dropped low enough to justify upgrading, finishing, and proofing the leftovers, most likely due to increased commitment of production to military contracts. No "GERMANY" import stamp is present, nor any non-German proofs, suggesting that it was intended for the German domestic market. Fixed sights, the Swiss "cross in sunburst" on the chamber, "DWM" toggle, flat bolt and dished toggle knobs with locking device. The small parts are straw finished, "eagle/N" stamps on the barrel, extension, breechblock and frame, and matching full and partial numbers on many components. Fitted with a pair of checkered grips and a nickel finished magazine with an unnumbered hardwood base. Also included with the pistol is an excerpt from a "Lugers at Random" column written by Kenyon for Gun Report discussing similar "back of the bin" delayed proofing scenarios, in particular a 1900 Swiss in the "3xx" range that was not finished until the 1920s.

Very fine with 90% of the DWM factory blue finish, showing mild spotting concentrated at the rear of the frame, wear along the high edges, a small patch of pitting on the side plate, areas of brown patina on the grip straps, and minor handling marks overall. The straw components retain 60% of the refinished straw color, darkening a bit on the trigger, and the grips show some minor chips around the mag catch and light dents; the right grip panel is unnumbered and a lighter color and the left, suggesting a factory replacement during the upgrade to the later magazine style. Mechanically excellent.