Death's Head Erfurt
 

I like this 1918 Death's Head Erfurt on Auction Arms.
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/110979...nd-r-2c-no-res
Marc

It does have some charm, doesn't it?
dju

Interesting...An artillery notch in the receiver, but the barrel flange extends beyond the notch...I don't think I've seen that before...

Definitely not a restoration... :rolleyes:

I am certainly no expert (I would defer to Albert on this example) but the condition of the metal around the death's head graphic appears consistent with the rest of the gun...the 1918 font looks...different...

I like it...I think I may bid on it... :thumbup:

Thank You, Marc!

What was the significance of the "Death's Head" on a Luger? I've never seen one like that before.

Richard

The popular theory is that they are from a Freikorps unit during the Weimar era...

I've seen lugers and G98 with "EWB" branded into the grips or stock of the weapon, is this kinda/sorta the same idea?

Kind of the same thing, except the identity of the EWB marking is known but the identity/type of unit(s) that employed the DH marking has yet to be determined. My favorite guess is Freikorps Flammenwerfer.

Flammenwerfer!!! :D

http://pds19.egloos.com/pds/201010/0...c04b6dbda8.jpg

Not all Freikorps were flammenwerfer...Not obviously, anyway...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ikorps_use.jpg

http://dancutlermedicalart.com/Alber...rps%20tank.jpg

http://www.histomil.com/download/file.php?id=8125

http://www.histomil.com/download/file.php?id=8124

(I only linked pics with totenkopf insignia)

Of course, there has to be a Freikorps website... :rolleyes:

http://www.freikorps.net/

Rich..VERY cool photo's! Commie stompin wildmen for sure! Back in the good ole days when you could go out and clean up the neighborhood.

A Spandau on every corner!!

Isn't that something??? Big heavy MG like that in a steel turret, probably unpowered...and hot... :D

The site with that armored car & flamethrower unit (first pic) also mentioned that the helmets looked like 'turkish contract' helmets...I'm assuming they meant the guy with the slung rifle & stick grenade and the three guys behind him...helmets look like the front brim was chopped off... :confused:

There was also something about an influenza epidemic...Makes me wonder if the 'flammenwerfer' unit was burning out contagion sites, rather than Communist agitators... :rolleyes:

thanks guys for the information...as usual very informative!

Richard

Rich..
...Makes me wonder if the 'flammenwerfer' unit was burning out contagion sites, rather than Communist agitators

burning out contagious Communist agitators maybe..

Thanks Postino
Great pics. Did you notice the 3rd pic shows a English Mk V tank rolling down the street with the totenkopf insignia? Did the English give the Freikorps tanks to patrol the streets with or where they captured and never returned?
Hmmm,maybe the English didn't like the "reds" any more then the Freikorps.
Watched a program today on the Military Channel about the worlds first tank battle. Between the English Mark V and the Imperial German A7V. Interesting stuff,the English tanks won by chasing the German tanks away.
Bob

OMG! It's spreading:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=289746098

dju

I sure would like to see the markings on the back of that holster!!

Maybe I shouldn't ask since some may be bidding on it, but I think this is a great looking pistol. What would a "collector" value this gun at (the Erfurt)? I am assuming that this would be less than what the pistol might actually sell for, since someone like me with a case of the "Igottahaves" would pay to much.
Marc

Seems to me that it is now at a reasonable price range, at about $950. That is ignoring the death's head issue, just pricing it as a well worn but matching Erfurt. I'd like to have it too, but will not bid and would not pay a premium for the DH marking. Lots of charm but just too much uncertainty. But that mark sure looks like it has been there a long time...
dju

Well, this auction is over...About 10:00am, the price was ~$1105...I figured I could go a couple dollars over that...Wishful thinking... :rolleyes:

Last bid was $2367...82 bids... :eek:

I guess that the US dealer who had a large number of 'cheap' P08 pistols marked with Death Heads in the late 1950s was right after all. It did enhance the market value :D