VoPo stuff I haven't seen before
 

I'm no expert on VoPo weapons but I like them and I have a few. I just picked up another Luger and it has some stuff I haven't seen before. The slide shows some rough machining one the sides and there are no markings on top of the chamber. The barrel has the usual Crown/N but no date too. I have never seen these characteristics before. The rest of the pistol is typical VoPo. I took pictures but I don't know how to post them on this forum because I'm a technoidiot! I'll be posting this over at gunboards too and will provide a link. I'd like to know what you guys think. Thanks for any help in advance. :)

Sounds like a Federal Stock Number...or National Stock Number...or whatever they're calling it this week... lol :D

Here's a link to the pictures:

http://forums.gunboards.com/album.php?albumid=727

I'm leaning towards thinking that the slide was produced by the Easties. If you lokk at the rough machining marks and particularly the witness marks, it looks like it's not reworked. I've heard the theory about C/U being a test of an existing part ant C/N being for new parts but this pistol has a BYF toggle that is stamped with the C/N. I dunno.

It's a new production DDR extension. The C/N is the DDR Nitro test proof.

Actually it looks like a Social Security Number.

Perhaps of a previous American owner?

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm tickled pink to be told that it is a DDR slide as I had hoped. Well, just in case it IS someone's SSN, I'd better nix that particular picture! Ron and postino, please delete the number from your posts as well if you don't mind. Again, thanks for the info guys!

W, Definately a DDR made received with standard DDR proofing on left side, drilled for sear safety (as will be on sear bar, but never have seen one with sear safety spring installed) and the rear (not shown) should have a STRAIGHT vertical step (not rounded like WW2 & before receivers) on top. I have one available for sale with no markings and a lot less machine marks. TH

After more thought, I would agree with the SSAN ID...also deleted it, as the original owner should have done before selling it...I've seen this suggested as a positive means of identifying stolen weapons, but you do have to have a way of removing it, too...Annoying to find that the seller left it on... :mad:

Ron or Tom, where or what site did the DDR make the Luger receivers/barrel extensions??? Was it an old WW II plant, with machinery & prints/patterns/suppkies captured intact???

East German P08 parts--as well as a run of complete pistols--were made by V.E.B. Ernst Thälmann (formerly Gustlaff-Werk) in Suhl. As Krieghoff was also located in Suhl, there is a strong suspicion that the Thälmann tooling was removed from there, although ultimately there is no period evidence of exactly where it came from, and of course the hardware is long gone.

--Dwight

The town of Suhl has been a workplace of gun smiths and metal workers for hundreds of years. I think that just about any machine shop there could come up with spare parts without much effort.

It is tempting to think that at least part of the Simson and Krieghoff tooling found it's way into the hands of the DDR state.

I've owned a couple of those newly made DDR lugers (in the N1000 to N1150 range) and they are beautifully made pistols with C/N markings on barrel, receiver and toggle parts. I suspose that they made additional spares for use in repairing some of the P08s that they reworked. In addition to my spare receiver, I also have a few DDR made rear toggle links and sear bars, left in stock. TH

Mine has a byf toggle and I have no idea what the frame is. It's not DDR made though. If I post a couple of pictures, maybe you guys could identify it for me? You guys have been most helpful!

P.S. Thanks for getting rid of the numbers. I wouldn't want mine all over the internet either.

getting them off the mag well is a PITA...maybe a little careful Dremel work with a fine wheel...

Don't want to be pulled over for a routine check with someone else's SSAN on the pistol...