Considering 1916 Erfurt?
 

After much reading I have found I still have a long way to go before I will be comfortable with my knowledge of Lugers, so for the time being I will defer to those more knowledgeable than myself. I have found a 1916 Erfurt, including holster that I am considering buying and wanted some thoughts as far as orignality and price before I purchase. He is asking $1700.

I'm looking at a close-up of both sides of the chamber area; the edges appear 'rounded', as though it had been heavily buffed some time ago...and the proofs on the right side look buffed as well...to these old eyes...

I deleted my prior post because I misread the price as $700 not $1700 and was advising instant purchase...dumb mistake.

Having said that, if the gun is all matching and the holster is original (not a repro) the price would not be out of line if it is original finish. Postino's observation about the buffing is valid, and if it has been refinished the price is questionable.

An aside note: The right end of the magazine catch has a circular mark on it that is unusual (to me). Has anyone seen anything like this on an Erfurt before?

from the corner of the magazine pouch I can tell the holster is original. Have any better photo's?

This is a poorly buffed and reblued gun. The front receiver scallops have been almost totally obliterated!. It is not possible from the photos supplied to tell if the strawed parts are actually blued, but this is certainly not a $1,700 dollar rig. Unless much better photos are available, I would not invest in this pistol.

I wouldn't pass judgement on this gun without better photos, but it's worth noting that 1916 Erfurts had much bigger, and less well defined scalloped areas (1st photo), than say, 1916 DWMs (2nd photo). Regards, Norm

The OP's Erfurt has inconsistent blue wear. The top half is very blue, the bottom is almost white. Not good! Matching wear is a good sign.

I too would like more photos, but am not ready to jump onto the re-blued bandwagon. The markings are very sharp. Remember that Erfurts did not get the spiffy finish treatment that DWM's did, especially that late in the war. It just looks like an old war-horse to me. The finish loss, lower plus side plate vs. upper, is interesting.
Still $1700 seems like absolutely last-man-out top dollar and I think that you can do better, like maybe right here. Post a Wanted ad and see what comes up. It costs nothing.
dju

An aside note: The right end of the magazine catch has a circular mark on it that is unusual (to me). Has anyone seen anything like this on an Erfurt before?[/QUOTE]

I dont see any others with a ring.not a magazine safety component?

If you mean the 'ring' that looks like the mag catch is two pieces, I've never seen anything like it... :confused:

From the present pictures I would not say this has been buffed or reblued. The scalloped area on the receiver is typical Erfurt. I have had 4 Erfurt lugers and this area was different on all of them. It is still a heavily used luger and even with the holster ? is not up to the $1700 asking price. Bill

A two piece catch was my impression also.

That is odd, isn't it?...

I wonder...All 3 of my Luger mag catches are ground smooth on that end...Could this be what is left of a 'stub' used to hold the catch while machining, then cut off & ground flat???

Someone mentioned that Erfurts were more crudely machined...They may have left just a bit of the stub...(If there ever was a stub)... :rolleyes:

Closeup of other pic -

maybe someone used something to try and tap it out

If so, he was tapping on the wrong side.

stranger things have happened. A nail set would leave an impression like that BUT the odds of getting a perfectly centered strike like this one is unlikely. The nub theory makes more sense to me.

Kinda wierd mag catch, but who knows. at 1700.00 long wheel base tens, i think that is a bit steep for this one.

Heres my 1913 erfurt #9502
 

If you want a closeup for comparison, The prewar are sweet!

I agree with Bill on the reciever scallop, Erfurts are much larger than DWMs. As a side note the right frame rails on Erfurts are flatter and have less bevelled edge than do DWMS. The mismatch finish does look odd.

Ted they have everything marked. Probobly a pain for you!