OK, I have read this thread from start to finish. Confusing, but I think I have gleaned the information I need. However to make sure I am not misinterpreting it I will state what I see and see if it causes any commotion:

1) I own a 1918 Erfurt P08 4.5" barrel that has the "lug" on the back of the grip.

2) Having stated the above, I read this thread to say that I can now own a stock, EVEN a REPRODUCTION, that could be fitted to my 1918 Erfurt pistol without fear of the ATF busting down my door. Correct??

3) I dont have to, but I could also fit a long barrel (8")?

I AM an FFL (07) so more than just my door is at stake here, my livelihood as a licensed gunsmith is also at stake. NO, I do not have any SOTs...yet...

Fitting ANY kind of stock to your pistol would make it an Illegal SBR, (Short Barreled Rifle). Adding a long barrel could make it legal, but it would have to be 16" long, not 8". The deal is that although you may use a reproduction stock to complete an "authentic" Naval or Artillery rig, you CANNOT fake the pistol to look like a Navy or Artillery, unless ALL the pistols components are period and correct. As an example, if you had an 8" Navy style barrel but not the correct back sight, etc. you might be in violation. My belief is that the pistol itself must be a period piece and correct example of a pistol which was once issued with a stock. This is a hazy area that I would not want to push ATF on.

Not correct. You may not own a stock and a short barreled Luger unless you also own another Luger that is the correct type for the stock.

Lets say that you only have your 1918 Erfurt and you buy a LP08 or Navy stock, repro or original, you now own the components of a short barreled rifle under BATFE rules. It doesn't matter if you never actually attach the stock, you have established "probable intent".

Far be it for me to try to explain the bureaucratic mindset, but imagine law enforcement personnel getting word that a certain culprit is possessing or shooting a machine gun. You get there and he/she has a stock AR-15, but also has, stored nearby but not together, a drop-in auto sear and various M16 parts. Using this ruling you can bust him. Or her.
It all seems a bit more convoluted when discussing a WW1 Luger, however.
dju

David,

You are correct. Possession of the components of a class III weapon constitutes intent according to the ATF. It doesn't matter if they are assembled together into a select fire weapon.

So, in our case, as Ron, Doug and others have confirmed, you must have the completely correct and appropriate Luger in order to have the specifically associated stock. The purpose of the exemption is to allow collectors to have historically correct examples of firearms.

Artillery model + Artillery Stock (original or reproduction) - OK
Navy model + Navy Stock (original or reproduction) - OK
There are a few other recently authorized combinations.

Possession of an Artillery stock without a complete Artillery Luger, but with any other Luger that has a stock lug - Not OK.

Possession of a Navy stock without a complete Navy Luger, but with any other Luger that has a stock lug - Not OK.

Etc...

There probably are stranger things in the regulations.

Marc

OK then..Let's say you have a dozen Artillery stocks and only a half dozen Artillery Lugers..From what I am reading you could have the dozen stocks and only have to have at least one Artillery pistol?

You know there are funny little cubicle dwellers with very thick glasses deep in the bowels of the BATF who could answer that one. But I certainly can not.
Anyone?
dju

Wait! What if I have a 4" Luger, a piece of steel, a file, a drill, a tree in my backyard, an axe, a saw, some sandpaper and varnish? Is that okay?
Marc

Rich.."Dont try to stop me from bein a MAN!" Betcha can't name the movie that's a quote from!

Marc..technically I bet there could be a case where charges could be made exactly along those lines...

I think this statement could be construed as "intent". Be careful!
Marc

All it takes nowadays to be a criminal is one encounter with a government official having a bad hair day.
Marc

Like the "tar baby'" it's best not to encounter it..and deffinately do not touch it!

Absolutely. All you need is one. (Sounds something like a Beatles song, doesn't it...All your need is love :))

Ron is correct. As long as you have one correct pistol, you can own as many correct stocks for that pistol you want.
Another example; as long as I own a registered, full auto M16, I can own as many internal full auto part sets and short AR/M16 barrels that I want. But if I only owned a registered AR15 SBR, I could own all the short barrels I want, but NOT the full auto internals.

Is this still true if the non-correct Luger has no stock lug--meaning that it could not be physically combined? I'd think this would not support a claim of constructive intent, and be legal.

I would agree with this. If there is no readily available method of attaching the stock to a pistol, then you would be ok, i.e. a pre 1913 Luger and a stock. I would not think that ATF would pursue a situation like this.

The BATFE will not pursue any situation which does not forward an agenda. But if you have pissed off someone at BATFE or above, they might pursue ANY situation that would at the very minimum, harass you.

Best dont piss anyone off and you wont be bothered.

Of course I don't take that advice, being a leader of the TEA Party movement in this area. So, the obverse of that coin is, I keep my nose clean....always....