Help a new guy. What do you see?
 

I have a 1916 erfurt on layaway at an undisclosed location. I've read a lot of the information around here and it has helped greatly so thanks to all.

My opinion is it shows honest wear on the line between shooter and collector, a fair to good deal at $800. Have a look for yourself and tell me what I am missing. Collector? Shooter? Refinished? What should I check? Please tell me anything I don't know and remind me of what I should.

Although not shown, the barrel # matches the upper (I'm not sure about the frame but I would presume it matches), as does the safety. The bore is described as "average with no rust." The magazine is un-numbered.

-Thanks for your input

hmmmm, welcome to the forum....


undisclosed location; is it stolen and you are afraid we'll report you? :D

Not sure how you can assume the frame matches the top, it either does or does not. In addition, to be completly matching internal parts must be numbered. (that was not meant to sound as harsh as it sounds)

I suggest you look over the forum and see what other 1916 erfurts should look like. This one looks fairly okay, the price is a bit high if it is not matching.... not bad if all matching.

Ed

Merick, since no one has chimed in yet, let me say that your description above appears to be correct. You have a hold on a 1916 Erfurt Imperial Military luger that is not especially rare (80,000 made that year). It is well worn, not refinished. I would question the originality of the grips but they could be light beechwood,which was commonly used during this period. The last two digits of the serial number should be stamped inside. If they are, then they are probably original to the pistol. The price seems fair for this period luger. If it were mine, I would shoot it regularly and keep it clean. Good luck with your first luger. It will probably not be your last.

Herr Merick, The right grip looks considerable different then the left...Also there is a pretty large piece of grip missing on the left in front of the grip screw.
As Ed indicates it's either matching$$$ or it's not$. Either way $800 is approaching a shooter price.
Impossible to give much of an analysis from the photo's provided. You must disassemble the pistol and look it over carefully. If you do not know how or for some other reason you cannot.. you will buy a pig in a poke.
Another couple of things..determine the calibur. It should be 9MM.
If you want this for a shooter..make sure it shoots. You do not want to be forced to become a Luger mechanic before you are ready.
The magazine in the pistol may match..it looks original. Do not use it to shoot with. Get a Mecgar. Save the original.
There have been reams written about this. Like Ed says..do a search. It's all here.
Good Luck!

Jerry Burney

It isn't hot, it is at a cabela's and I'm afraid some enterprising soul would purchase it out from under me regardless of the layaway policy. Worse yet, someone might tell my old lady what I am doing with my money!

I assume the frame matches because I just don't know and I have no information to the contrary. I have only seen some pictures and not handled the gun in person. This should no longer be the case by next weekend. I am a believer in doing my homework, but it never hurts to ask around. And we all like pictures too.

"Worse yet, someone might tell my old lady what I am doing with my money!"

Hi Matt,

Send us each $50, and we'll keep our mouths shut.

Everyone has given you good advice. I don't think you could get hurt at $800. The grips are kind of munched, but they can be replaced. Any decent shooter/low end collector Luger is going for around that price. If it's all matching that's a +.

You did exactly what we adise all new Luger buyers to do. "Ask questions first."

Ron