Gun Show Luger
 

Before you ask, I can't send pics. I have them, but can't get them small enough for this site. If I do they're thumbnails. If you wanna see send me an IM with your e-mail address.

At the Tanner Show in Denver I picked up an Erfurt 1914. All numbers match, including grips, and one magazine. In excellent shape. I thought at first, re-blued, but there are halos around the numbers. Interestingly, it has an unrelieved sear. Now this was corrected in 1916, so the gun may have already been captured by then, or at least never made it back to the armory (?)

Two questions: First the rear toggle pin is not stamped or proofed. It is worn, and has an odd bluish cast to it. Almost iridescent. Color changes with the angle of the light. Front pin is the same way,

The wood bottom of the matching mag is chipped, and crumbling. Fix or leave it as it is?

FN

Norm, it sounds like an interesting 1914 Erfurt. I have one too. Could you please tell - or show - what an unrelieved sear is.

Thank you.

Charlie

With the pistol is normal battery. ie Breech closed. Put the safety on. Does it touch the angle in the sear bar? or is there a gap of about 3-8ths of an inch. If a gap it is relieved, so that it can be cocked with the safety on.

FN

Norm,

It is not at all unusual for a pre-1916 Imperial Luger to retain its original alter Arte (old-style) sear bar. The rear toggle pin is properly unnumbered and unproofed; the requirement to serial number the part was issued in 1932. Also, the odd blue color is due to the "fire bluing" heat treatment of these parts, and is an indicator of the gun's having its original finish. The sear bar spring, front sight, and grip screws are fire-blued as well, although the finish is not durable and is usually found worn away from the sight and screws.

--Dwight

Thanks, Dwight. I'm new but learning from all youse guys!

Fn

FNorm,
One more point for learning if I may. The purpose of the relieved sear bar is to allow a loaded round to be safely cleared from the chamber with the safety on. The action cannot be cycled with the safety on if it is not already cocked.

Noted and learned, Ron. Thank you. I think what I want to do collecting is each manufacturer, and each 'major' modification. Got two stones with one bird with this one. My first Erfurt, and an unrelieved sear.

I'm having fun....


FN

When you say the front sight also does it means the blade of the front sight ?
Alf.

Yes