Chipped Breechblocks
 

There's a photo in this discussion on Jan's website showing a 1918 Erfurt with chips missing from the front of the breechblock on either side of the extractor slot: http://www.gunboards.com/luger/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3698

I have seen a 1918 DWM with a similar chip missing. It has been speculated that this was the result of firing hotter ammo than the gun was designed for, perhaps machine gun ammo.

Does anyone have any additional information about this type of damage? Is it common? Was it likely to have occurred while in use by the police or military and not repaired? Was 1918 a bad year for breechblocks:confused: ?

Well, Iâ??m not sure about the hot ammo doing it. I would guess that it is most likely done by novices who decide to pry before they ask! As you may know you have to remove the retaining pin and then lift the back of the extractor then slide it forward. After seeing many locking bolts bent because people don't push the muzzle back.
My $1's worth

Thor,

Is this sort of damage repairable or would it require a replacement breech block?

I would think that it is repairable. Hugh Clark had someone repair a broken breach block for me. It was on the back side though. It would require adding metal to the top and dressing it down then a refinish. If it's a shooter just buy a used block. If it will hold the extractor in give it a try. It may still work.:confused:

Don M, Just about anything is repairable for a price, but I think that a different BB would be a cheaper and more durable solution. I've seen at least 3 BBs damaged in this way, and they were all Erfurts. Probably just poor head spacing or manufacturing. Th

Ted,
Thanks for the advice. Incidentally, I have recently seen a 1918 DWM with this damage.