Erfurt Markings
 

Two questions on this 1916 Erfurt. "Gesichert" is not in the white. Does that indicate this gun was reblued, or was it common for Erfurt not to go to this level of detail and the finish is original? Safety bar doesn't seem to be straw nor do the other pieces?

Second.. is the 6/7 the correct for the 6th Company of the 7th Regiment (1922 Weimer Republic?).

I have found that the enamel high-lite on later Erfurts is almost always gone and may not have been applied in the first place.

Really Geo,

Thats interesting, i always assumed it "wore" off.

thanks,

Ed

"Second.. is the 6/7 the correct for the 6th Company of the 7th Regiment?"

6/7 is a provisional unit mark for Reichswehr Company 6 / Infantry Regiment 7. Applied to designate it to the Company and Regiment prior to being issued. Once it had been issued, it would have been fully marked on the front grip strap with the weapon number.

My thought on these types of marks. Where the full mark was not stamped on the grip strap, is that they are possibly very early 1919-1921 markings. Or were armory replacement weapons held in reserve.

I agree with Geo. I've seen many late Erfurts without the paint in the safety marking. This seems to correlate with the poor quality and thin finish found on the later Erfurts.

Ron

Ed, I have a '17 Erfurt that is pretty "minty", only a tiny bit of the enamel remains so I guess it was a matter of poor application.

Hi George and Ed, I think it was a matter of poor prep. work, the recessed letters were likely not degreased prior to painting. I've never seen an Erfurt that did not have at least traces of enamel. Regards, Norm

Norme -

What is that thing in the lanyard loop of your Luger???

I have a 1917 about like Norme's. Traces, but bare metal in the last three letters.

FN

Norm has an inventory tag in his lanyard loop. Something MAJOR collectors use to track their vast treasures!
8^)

I just bought the gun so I will post pictures when it comes in. 1916 Efurt at 90%+, matched mag, with WWI holster, brought back by a WWII vet for $1150. Finish is original per the seller with straw parts.

So he doesn't have to pull hundreds of Lugers out to look for a specific one??? Yes...that makes sense... :roflmao:

I wish!!!

Is that how straw looks when it ages?

I have a 1916 DWM that I don't think has been refinished with straw that is almost black.

http://i959.photobucket.com/albums/a...6/_DSC2590.jpg

Also, Norm, are those small key tags that you use? What is the source?

Marc

Inventory tag
 

Well, I've tried to do this, too.

But I gave up, too much work, didn't know where to start....:eek:


Just kiddin'...:roflmao:

Hi Marc, Safety levers do turn black over time, caused I believe by acidity present on ones fingers (sauerkraut juice?). I get my indestructible tags from a jewelry supply house, see link. Regards, Norm

http://www.kassoy.com/handwritten-tags/

Interesting...that PFC has what appears to be an artillery Luger in his hand...

That must be the depot where receiver assemblies were switched with frame assemblies in order to annoy future generations of collectors... :p

NAH! If you look carefully, he's switching magazines...

I think he's trying to find a nice trophy.

Back in the 1960s, Potomac Arms in Alexandria, VA had bins of P.08s and P.38s that looked like this photo. P.08s were $50 each, P.38s were $35 each - your pick.
Across the street at Interarms, one day, I walked into a warehouse where a guy was at a couple of tables removing cosmoline from P.08s. He had cases and cases of them - Lugers strewn everywhere.
Bob