Erfurt Info?
 

Picked up this all matching, including magazine, 1918 Erfurt which seems to be in very good condition. I got it with a 1916 'Ernst Siegemund' holster with a non-matching wood bottom magazine and tool. The tool is not marked, should it be? The holster is a little rough but not too bad. Anyway the gun is pretty nice.
I am wondering about some of the marks on the gun, are the proofs and acceptance on the right hand side of the receiver correct? Also there is a Crown/RC stamp on the right side of the receiver just above the proofs, and on the left upper side of the barrel. I am curious as to the significance of the C/RC. The gun also has a sear safety, is this standard on this year Erfurt or is that something that came about later?
Also am interested in the Crown/?? to the left of the Erfurt monogram and it also shows up on the back toggle link, is this a standard Erfurt proof?
As always, I appreciate any information that you kind folks would care to share with me.
Photos, attached. Also, would be interested in thought on value.
Thanks, barr
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...rfurt_lft..jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...erfurt_rt..jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/1918_toggle.jpg

Barry,

The markings on this Luger which you describe are as expected. Much has been posted on these forums about the c/RC mark; if you do a search on Revisions-Commission you will find a lot of information.

The sear safety was instituted by the Prussian police in 1932. This is an indication that your Luger was in Police service after that year.

It would be interesting to know what marks may be on the barrel.

--Dwight

Dwight,

Here are images of the marks on the barrel. There are no police marks of any kind on the pistol, nothing on the grip straps, that's why I wasn't sure about the sear safety, I expected some group markings on the grips straps. From what I can find out on the piece the previous owner has had the gun for a long time supposedly since it was brought back from Germany. I am surprised at the overall good condition of the piece relative to the overall finish, although I don't believe that it has been refinished.
Anyway, here are the images for the barrel marks.
Barry
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/barrel_lower.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...l_mark_lft.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/barrel_mark_rt.jpg

Barry,

Thanks for the barrel pics. They confirm that the barrel is original to the gun--rebarrelling is always a possibility when considering a Police Luger.

The absence of police unit markings is not unusual and not a matter for concern. A very large percentage of Police Lugers were never unit marked.

--Dwight

Thanks for the info, Dwight,
This is the first Erfurt that I've really had a chance to examine, and I really wasn't going to buy it, but was able to talk the dealer down to what I thought was reasonable, $1600 with the holster, tool, and extra wooden bottom numbered mag. The holster has some issues with the belt loops but is in pretty good condition considering it's age. It also surprises me that the pistol is in as good of condition considering the bluing is especially good on the frame. It is 90 - 95% with only a few freckles on top of the bolt and a few on the barrel. Of course there is some holster wear on the normal high spots. Most of the Erfurts that I've seen are a lot worse for wear. As aways, I appreciate the help. Barry