ERMA small box 22 conversion.
 

Here is something you don't see everyday. It is all matching and in great shape. Luger looks very impressive with conversion installed.

George

George,

Nice example of a pre-1945 Erma 'Model 30' conversion kit.

Here's one in use:

I believe this small box 22 conversion was manufactured in mid 1937. I have fired it several times and I do have to attest they are nice to own, however they do not function with a dam. Granted the E/77 10 round magazine has a weak spring so I purchased a post war 22 conversion magazine with stronger spring and results were the same.

With only 30,000 made, I am very fortunate to own one. I was surprised many years ago to see that ever the spacer & nuts were proofed as well as all the other parts!

George

Nice set George!

Lugerdoc here in the forum gave me the advice to remove the ejector before installing the set. Made mine function quite flawlessly, perhaps you have it installed?
btw. spring is supposed to be a bit weak on these .22 mags.

Steiner:

Many thanks for your response. Is your 22 conversion unit war time or post war?

I have always heard good things regarding the post war units! I am aware that the ejector should be removed hence the slot in the wood box.

My guess your unit is post war as I have never heard anything good regarding the function regarding these war time 22 conversions.

Spring tension on post war magazines is about twice what my war time unit is and they are .22LR not .22 mag.

George

George,
I have one of each. For some strange reason the post war Erma kit is too 'tight' (the rear knee joint is about 5mm above the receiver when breechblock meets the barrel). The excact oposite problem is with the was time conversion kit, then there is a gap between barrel and breechblock. But if I exchange the two barrels, they both get just right:) (But then of course the numbers don't match up..)

Two things you can check;
-is the firing pin straight? These can easily bend, and if it's close to the frame the friction can slow it down.
-is there a gap between breechblock and barrel? Or perhaps it's too close?


Oh.. I'm missing two locking nuts btw. That reminds me to try my luck in the 'wanted' section in this forum again now.

Steiner:

The problem is not the firing pin as it goes bang every time I pull the trigger. My problem it jams almost after every shot. I tried just about every brand of ammo I could find.

No gap between the breechblock and barrel and it pulls up snug.

At this point, I have no plans of firing this ERMA conversion in the near future. If something ever broke I would be heartbroken plus the fact it is very frustrating when it jams.

If want to shot a conversion unit, I use my .22LR 1911 Colt Ace or a 9x23 conversion installed on my Colt 1911 9mm and all is well.

Thanks in advance for your help and assistance.

Regards,

George

George, Your problem may be as simple as a weak extractor spring or worn (dirty) extractor. TH

.22 conversion box
 

Hello to all, Nice original outfit, what is the coating on the hinge of the box?? doesn't look like nickel or tin?? Does anyone know... best to all, til...lat'r...GT :jumper:

GT

This conversion was picked up by my father in an over-run bicycle factory somewhere in Germany during WW11 when he was looking for an area to setup a command post.

It has been in our family ever since and that is the way it was picked up.

I have compared it to other units and everything appears the same.

George

...........

Con. box hinge
 

Hi Mauser George, I wasn't implying that it was not correct, I simply am wondering what the coating was they used on all the hinges on all these little boxes?? It is kindof slick, not like nikel or tin?? Just wondering... Nice kit, best to you, til...lat'r....GT

George, this is great stuff, esp since it was brought back. Would love permission to add it to my collection for maybe a 2nd book; if that ever happens....

:)


Ed

Ed
I have four of five of these small box and large box conversion kits. I have a 1935 Police dove marked matched conversion kit that somebody on Mr Stills web-site told a friend they were worth about $1000.00 - $1300.00. I paid more than that 20 years ago.
also have a Police Eagle F and a couple Army types. According to my research the Police started to use these in 1932 and the Army in 1937. If somebody has an idea of values, I would appreciate their thoughts. Also had and recently sold a large box all matched Navy conversion kit dated 1932.
Donl