There have been a large number of anniversary models and other memorabilia produced over the years; it seems that the longer Glock exists as a company the more paraphernalia they produce for each five year milestone. These anniversary celebrations actually began with the model pictured above and was a special run from 1993 that was only sold in Europe.
Before we delve deeper into the 10th anniversary, we should discuss the divergence in anniversary dates. It seems that Glock has such a healthy appetite for anniversary mania that they’ve decided to celebrate different dates for different markets—at the least they count introduction of the pistol into Europe and three years later, the initial release in the US. Though the 17 was first made in 1983 introduced in the US in 1986, that three year gap somehow expanded to five years by 2021 when the company released a 40th anniversary watch in Europe at the same time as a 35th anniversary here in the states—don’t bother with the math or the fact that Glock actually founded his company in 1963, it will just hurt your head.
But back to the 10th Anniversary: the Dynamit Nobel company was Glock’s main distributor in the early days so this particular gun was produced to commemorate 10 years (Jahre being German for “years”) of collaboration between the two companies. Each pistol received the following engraving prior to the slide being finished and will also have standard Austrian proof markings and the “ZDR” date code for June 1993.
One stand-out feature of this release is that each gun came with a plush lined leather and tweed briefcase and an early matched holster set that fit into a front compartment in the case.
While total production is not known and any early press releases about the gun have not been uncovered as of this time, the most commonly cited number for production is 200 (!) and the number in the US is most certainly less. Add-in the over thirty year time gap since production and you are looking at one of the hardest to find rare Glocks of all the rare Glocks!
Check back in the near future and we should have some other anniversary content to bring you, but don’t worry, it will never be a personal relationship thing!
