Breech Block Failure 1916/1920 Erfurt
 

Hello,

I just picked this Luger up over the weekend. I disassembled the pistol and proceeded to clean, check all the parts, lubricate then re-assemble. All of the parts were numbers matching in excellent shape with a great bore and no issues other than standard exterior wear. I just came back from the range where I had fired 3 magazines of 124 grain factory "Blazer Brass" ammunition and noticed this when I went to clean it.

I see no other damage and it still cycles no problem. I assume old metal, probably not safe to shoot as is and I need a new breech block? No other damage was found and I did not notice anything unusual while I was firing the pistol. The block is matching to the gun and marked "57". Any input is appreciated, thank you.

Ouch! It looks like you now have a steeply discounted shooter. This is a good reason why not to shoot a nice matching gun.

Tom Heller or any of a dozen other members ought to be able to hook you up with a new breech block. Best wishes.

Did you pick up your cartridge cases? Surprised with moving that much metal you didn't lose your extractor. Any other interior damage? Firing pin? Metal doesn't just get old. I would head back to the range and hope your brass is still there if you didn't pick it up. There will be one very interesting cartridge case. What does the bolt face look like?

Apparently not even a hot ammo.

Manufacturer CCI Ammunition
Caliber 9mm Luger
Bullet Type Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
Muzzle Velocity 1090 fps
Muzzle Energy 327 ft lbs
Primer Boxer
Casing Brass Casing

Wonder what went wrong.
Yep, would be interesting to see the cases and the bolt face.
Please post the pics

Bum case perhaps. Pressure tried to blow the extractor out of the top of the breechblock. In a perfect world, everything would be perfect. Not fond of "Blazer" ammo. The cheapest ammo typically gives the cheapest results.

I picked up the brass and no issues. I pulled the block out and no damage to the face or the extractor. I have never had a problem with "Blazer Brass" in any of my other firearms. I did not feel anything like a hot load either.

Thank you, at least the extractor has no damage.

Metal fatigue, been getting "worse" for over 100 years and finally gave up.
No "damage" to the extractor would confirm this was no "overload" situation.


The thin shelves that hold the extractor in place are the most common failure of a breech bolt,
and the only one I have seen- other than perhaps an enlarged hole for the striker nose.

There are plenty of breech blocks around now- some new and recent imports from Germany.

Wouldn't that damage require high pressure gas behind the case head before the toggle unlocked?

Pierced primer?

What does the tip of the firing pin look like? How far does it protrude from the breech face?

If it was dry fired a lot without anything to stop the firing pin, it may have opened up the firing pin hole in the breech face.

I am posting all of the requested photos. I apologize up front for any quality issues and or operator issues. I am trying to respond to people however, it appears the response just shows up in no particular order and not to whom I responded? Thanks again for all of the help.

Photos part 2.

You have a lot of pierced, or at the very least extremely hard hit, primers in the spent brass.

Allen et al, I do have a good supply of exc condition WW1 or 2 original serialized breech blocks @$100 each or new unmarked ones @$90 + $10 US priority S&h for either. TH

I don't see any pierced primers.

Could just be the blurring of the picture. But those primers seem to be dented awfully deep from the firing pin impact.

I checked all of the primers with a magnifying glass for any that may have been pierced and found none. The photo is not real good and compared to the primer strikes on the brass from one of my modern 9mm pistols there is no real difference.

no offense, but do you have a before picture? Perhaps it was already damaged and just blew it out further...

I personally have blown out two breechblocks, but both were the rear and using too hot of ammo.

Ed

We have seen this kind of damaged breech before.
https://i.imgur.com/SBA4Zvv.png

https://i.imgur.com/oxaCPAN.png https://i.imgur.com/cPeAzzX.png

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...ghlight=damage

I blew out one breechblock, but like Ed, it was to the rear.

Thank you everyone for all of the information. Regardless of what caused the damage it looks like I need a new block and I have sent a message to Tom Heller to see if he has one marked "57".