Summer 2026 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
August 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, & 9th, 2026
This auction will feature an outstanding collection of items spanning multiple categories including Modern, Military, Sporting, & Antique firearms & militaria! Below is just a small grouping of select highlights from the massive offering to be featured in this upcoming sale!
MAGNIFICENT PRE-PRODUCTION LUGER CARBINE SN: 77 PRESENTED TO PUBLISHING MAGNATE ORMOND G. SMITH WHEN PRESIDENT OF SMITH & STREET INC. WITH EARLIEST FEATURES AND EXHAUSTIVE DOCUMENTATION
26-2216 | Cal. 30 Luger. | S# 77.
Phenomenal and fully matching pre-production transitional Luger Carbine, with the highest serial number of the two-digit serial number carbines. This example with many early and highly desirable features including a “1”, “3” and “5” graduated ski slope rear sight, matching push-button shoulder stock, and factory fitted case with accessories. As per the later production carbines it has an 11 7/8″ barrel with ramped front sight base and drift adjustable bead profile sight. The chamber has a gold inlaid “OS” monogram reflecting purchase by Orman G. Smith, president of Smith & Street, Inc., a New York publishing firm of novels and magazines. Narrow trigger, safety lever with the short checkered head, sliding ski slope rear sight, narrow grip safety, and early form shoulder stock lug (no transverse channel) with recesses on each side for the push button sliding arm securement. Fully factory matching with SN 77, the serial number marked under the barrel near shank, on the barrel extension lug, back of the frame as per the M1899/1900 pistols, under the takedown lever and sideplate, all usual components of the toggle train, grip safety, and each of the walnut checkered grip panels. Checkered Schnabel forearm with rotating sling swivel, portion of SN arguably within frame extension recess, clearly marked on upper surface of the crosspiece/locking wedge. Checkered walnut grip, complementary sling swivel, and buttplate with widow peak and serrated face. Exceptionally well documented in the book “The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols” by Görtz and Sturgess, Volume 1, pages 242 (full page of photos and copious caption) with additional commentary and close-ups on page 248, where the transitional “knife-edge” rear frame recess is compared to other presentation carbines including “9103C” and “55C”. Although many of these guns were marked with the GL monogram on the rear toggle, there was no such marking on this pistol, Sturgess’ commentary suggesting that “possibly the two digit serial number range was used for customer purchased carbines, the 91xxC range being reserved for guns given by the factory or Georg Luger personally”. MAGS: x1 correct 8-rd. mag. with tinned body and unmarked walnut plug. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Factory presentation case bound in black leather and lined in green baize, lid with nickeled plate engraved “Ormond Smith / Sept. 1902″, separately compartmentalized for pistol, stock and various accessories to include a 17.25” brass cleaning rod with oiler handle / jag tip, and a shoulder strap with nickel-plated fittings. Push button stock with single screw lug, the push button with checkered head extending from the left side, the serial number marked transversely on the lower arm of the lug. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of John Eckert. (26-2216/LMA). STATUS: CURIO.
