sideplate shape
 

The sideplate on my 1918 Erfurt Luger has a ridge on the left side that runs from top to bottom of the sideplate, rather than stopping before the top. Since I have not seen this on any other Luger, it seems reasonable that this is not an original part. Has anyone else seen one of these, and if so, know anything about it?

THanks!

Jeffs
The sideplate on a couple of the Swiss models had this type sideplate. My guess it came from one of these. Is the sideplate matching?

This sounds like the typical machining mark for Lugers which have had the sideplate "forced matched" to the rest of the gun.
If you examine your sideplate, you may find that the area to the right of this ridge is shallower, or lower than the balance of the sideplate. By removing all this material, they are able to obliterate the original sideplate serial number without simply "dishing out" the area of the original serial number and thus providing an even, smooth surface to re stamp.
They did the machining in this fashion to avoid contact with the raised trigger bar recess on the sideplate.

Hi again

Thank you for this information! I am nothing near an expert, but the sideplate seems to match the appearance of the rest of the pistol. It is a shooter; the barrel and receiver match, but the barrel and toggle and other small parts do not, though all appear to be Erfurt parts. Interestingly, this is a CAI import from the 1990's, and there are no post WWI proof marks. CAI said that they got it from the the former East Germany or Eastern Europe after the wall fell. It seems as if it was not touched from 1918 until the 1990's

Jeff, In addition to the M1929 Swiss side plates mentioned above, the Swiss model Mauser Parabellums had a similar looking one, and I've also seen some cheap repros of that type. Tom

Please post a photograph so the issue can be made clearer. The "Forced Match" possibility I posted above is typical of a great number of East German put together pistols, which were imported into this country. The guns were uniformely dip blued prior to export so the finish on an altered sideplate will appear to match the balance of the gun.

Only a photo will help here.

I took this photo from Simpson's Ltd. I hope they don't mind.
Swiss Bern 1929
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/untitled_2_2.jpg
Mike C.

Disregard my comments. Your photo makes clear that this is not a re machining issue, but a Swiss side plate on your gun.

Here are two pictures of the 1918 Erfurt Luger in question.

Thanks,
Jeff

More: I forgot to mention that on the back of the sideplate there is a capital "Z," and also a bit removed and at 90 degrees, an "N."

Jeff, If it were an original M29 Swiss side plate, it would have a Swiss cross somewhere inside. TH

TH-

You are absolutely right! I found a faint Swiss cross on the backside of the plate, along with the Bernerprobe mark. Thanks for figuring all this out!

Sincerely,
Jeff Showell