1918 P08 Erfurt, not sure what exactly it is, Revision-commission marked maybe?
 

Howdy, just got a hold of a 1918 Erfurt luger, matching numbers except for grips and magazine. There is no numbers on the barrel. I have been told it has a RC mark, but am not sure which parts would be marked or if the whole gun would be a revcom. Are these the standard Fraktur markings? It is marked germany on the frame but it doesn't look like it was done post bluing... Any bits of info would be greatly appreciated, sorry for the ****te tonne of questions.

I have a DWM re-arsenal import gun that I will take some photos of too, import mark is 666......



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Hi Eric,

I don't see any RC markings in your photos. Erfurts have nearly every part stamped with a crown over a letter acceptance / inspector's mark.

However, it's not uncommon to find more than one crown RC on Erfurt Lugers. The "GERMANY" stamp merely indicates that it was exported post war and was applied at that time.

Welcome to the forum.

Ron

Hi Ron, There is one C/RC stamp in the sixth photo (rt. side receiver). Best regards, Norm

Thank you, so this is a standard first war luger? What do they run value wise? Is 30 luger less in value than 9mm?

Norm,

You are correct, I see it now, above the proofs.

Eric,

"Is 30 luger less in value than 9mm?"

Is it in 9mm or .30 Luger? If .30 Luger, it has been re-barreled and the value greatly deminished. All Imperial Military Lugers were 9mm. The "Germany" export stamp will also devalue it some.

There aren't sufficient photos to evaluate it. If it's in average (75%) to better (85-90%) "original" condition it's in the $1000-$1200 range. If it's been re-barreled to .30 Luger, value would be $600-$800 as a "shooter" grade Luger. Bear in mind that the market isn't the greatest right now due to the economy, and these values are a give or take best guess.

Ron

it would help to know what country you live in? Your tone of writing indicates, UK, possibly Canada?

So, asking value is very hard, plus more pictures are needed.


Ed

Thanks very much, I am located in the USA. I want to sell it and try to get a correct first war model. What is the best venue? Gunbroker? Here? And what other parts should I take photos of?

THanks again for all your help.

Here's are links to photo views that are very helpful. The best photos are taken outside on a lightly overcast day. Flash distorts the color and finish appearance , as does bright sun.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=25666

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=25416

Good clear photos of the front and rear grip straps showing the degree of finish wear help in a sale also.

Ron

Did I miss something? Has no one commented on the lack of a maker's Logo on the toggle?

George:
We were all waiting to see if you were paying attention...
dju

Glad you brought that up George, as I was wondering the same thing and also in awe of the plethora of inspector's marks on the underside of the receiver...particularly on the rails. There is more to this gun than first meets the eye.

Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees. I'll be jiggered...it's a blank toggle!

I need to take a nap...

I recently read that the Erfurt Gov't arsenal was re-named "RwE" Reichswerke Erfurt after the war, and produced Mauser Sporting rifles for commercial sales until they were shut down by the Allied Control Commission. I wonder if they managed to kick out a few Lugers too.

Now you are just confusing me even more, whats the significance or insignificance of a blank toggle?


more pics

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It shouldn't have a blank toggle...that is highly unusual. And it doesn't appear that any markings have been removed.

It may be the angles or the lighting but to me it looks like the toggle has been ground down in the area where the inscription would normally be , Erfurt or DWM. The stampings on the toggle may have been done after the toggle was ground. It looks like a slight dish effect in that area of the toggle. Just my two cents worth. Craig

It woul.d be interesting to lay a straight edge from front to rear of the suspect item. I agree that some photos seem to show a different reflective shine in that area possibly suggesting a different surface angle. How about a boatload of good photos of the front toggle link on the top and from the sides?
dju

Perhaps it was being prepared for the application of a Crown/SPANDAU.

Very Funny George! I disagree on the mark on the toggle being blank. The discoloration of the blueing appears to me in the closeup photo that the marking (likely DWM) was ground off just deep enough to remove the marking and then blended into the ends so that the front and rear markings are intact...in a manner that leaves the toggle link slight dished from front to rear...

Could the original poster please check to see if the area where the marking would go is perfectly flat, or dished as I have described?

Thanks.

It looks like it was scrubbed and then re-stamped.

I am quite knowledgeable in things related to metalworking and manufacturing. I cannot see how this "scrubbing" could be accomplished and at the same time restore the top surface of the toggle to it's original shape without signficant labor and cost. If the objective here was to produce a Faux Krieghoff, I might be able to accept the level of effort, but in this case, this pistol is not in that class of collectibles that would justify it IMHO. I am puzzled why anyone would do such a thing to a gun in this condition.

Removing and replacing enough metal so that there is little or no trace of the manufacturer's stamp would require some fairly sophisticated welding, and refinishing, and certainly would require the toggle to be heat-treated to the proper hardness to withstand the impulse of the toggle train during the firing cycle... it just doesn't make sense to me...

Anyone got a serious WAG for theory?

It appears that the front toggle is not perfectly flat. It is dished from front to rear. Odd.


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If it wasn't for the Erfurt proof, one might almost think someone had found a DWM toggle with the correct number and substituted it...After grinding down the DWM script...Of course, that's not the case here, since it does have the Erfurt proof...

...But it does raise questions...