My first Luger 1914 Erfurt P08

drbuster · 10-10-2011, 11:17 PM

Steve, this is an interesting Erfurt that apparently started out as an artillery Erfurt (note the notch on top of the receiver to accept the rear artillery sight) as the serial number in the "a" suffix is correct both for the Erfurt P.08 and artillery. Erfurt made artilleries only in 1914. After the end of WW1, the Reichswehr or police reworked it, adding the police sear saftey and changing the unrelieved sear for a relieved one. The 1920 property stamp is evidence of its being acquired by the Weimar republic. It's uncertain whether it went directly to the police or was in the Weimar army first. The markings on the grip strap are for the Weimar police unit. The markings on the magazine bottom are also police. The scriptic "W" under the trigger guard has shown up from time to time on earlier lugers and has been a topic of conversation. It is not know what it means but may signify a re-work depot. The holster is WW2 military. Overall an interesting luger with quite a history. You did well getting it for $1000 as I've seen lugers like this priced for twice what you paid.

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10-10-2011, 11:17 PM	#3
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Steve, this is an interesting Erfurt that apparently started out as an artillery Erfurt (note the notch on top of the receiver to accept the rear artillery sight) as the serial number in the "a" suffix is correct both for the Erfurt P.08 and artillery. Erfurt made artilleries only in 1914. After the end of WW1, the Reichswehr or police reworked it, adding the police sear saftey and changing the unrelieved sear for a relieved one. The 1920 property stamp is evidence of its being acquired by the Weimar republic. It's uncertain whether it went directly to the police or was in the Weimar army first. The markings on the grip strap are for the Weimar police unit. The markings on the magazine bottom are also police. The scriptic "W" under the trigger guard has shown up from time to time on earlier lugers and has been a topic of conversation. It is not know what it means but may signify a re-work depot. The holster is WW2 military. Overall an interesting luger with quite a history. You did well getting it for $1000 as I've seen lugers like this priced for twice what you paid.