Erfurt; not my favorite, BUT
 

I have always regarded an Erfurt as a less desirable Luger. The ones I have had in the past were rather poor in fit and finish. Not surprising, since the Erfurt arsenal was government owned. I guess the Germany balance of trade was such, they did not need to have China or Japan manufacture their goods as "some" countries do today.
With all that said, when the opportunity arose to buy this 1911 Erfurt with a matched mag and a finish not commonly found on Erfurt Lugers, I found it hard to pass this one up. Just the fact it is a 1911 is enticing. Add a matched mag and correct grip screws and a nice looking Luger to the mix, I just had to jump in. Here are a few pictures for your review.

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike,
I don't think it is nice enough for you to keep.

So I think you should sell it to me.

Spartacus38@charter.net

Bob Young

Nice find, Mike!

I like Erfurts simply because they have so many little stamps to look at.

Mike, that is one very nice, early, early Erfurt. The wood bottom on that mag, looks as if it's never been out doors. Congratulations!

Mark

That's a great looking piece, no matter who made it.

You have to appreciate Erfurts for what they are..That's a real beauty! I would add it to my collection in a heartbeat.

+1 :rockon:
I think you found a keeper.
Congratulations!
Douglas.

Magnificent Erfurt. I have only one, a 1915 Police modified model and its not nearly in as good shape as yours. Still, I prize it highly. Good for ya!

Charlie

Mike, very nice. I believe this beauty was finished around 1300 hrEST on a Wednesday. Right after a Armory furnished lunch of wurst, spekulaten und pislner. Alle ist sehr gut!

My theory is that the early Erfurts were on par with the DWM, and only well into the war did they get a bit less handsomely fitted and finished.
Do any of you Erfurt guys agree?
dju

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"My theory is that the early Erfurts were on par with the DWM, and only well into the war did they get a bit less handsomely fitted and finished.
Do any of you Erfurt guys agree?
dju "

I agree wholeheartedly David, I only have two Erfurt's, a 1914 Artillery and a 1918 and I feel they compare favorably with my early Dwm's, I don't have a later model Erfurt to compare with a later model DWM but have heard that the fit and finnish on Erfurts doesn't measure up.

There was a difference between a commercial company..DWM and the State Arsenal. Erfurt. Just two different spectacular Luger variations that make all this so interesting!

Up until 1915 Erfurt's quality of product was easily the equal of DWM. Starting in 1914, the war brought Erfurt's quality quite a change. Below is a clip from Storz' "M98 Rifle and Carbine" in whch he addresses Erfurt's issues with quality.

It is something amazing that those guys were still doing reports with such concerns so late in the war, with the Empire clumbling.

An explanation, or just a bunch of excuses? What was DWM's secret for maintaining quality, cosmetic or otherwise? Wouldn't their production rates also be subject to the same factors? The inclusion of female workers in this "explanation" may have been been an acceptable hypothesis at the time in terms of political correctness, but time and experience have blown this one out of the water. The allies could not have prevailed, or maybe not as soon, if our women hadn't, quite capably, taken up the slack in manufacturing and support caused by the identical shortage of male manpower here in WWII.

What is wrong with Erfurt? Everything you said about them, I think the oposite, fit?? are you serious, how bad can fit on a Luger be? It is a the polishing and Machine marks that are Erfurts trademark, but fit, they fit together fine. Awesome Erfurt you have there.

nice one

Interesting...no wonder I have never seen an erfurt without RC stamps...

Hey Mike... nice find. Looks like this one is early enough that it was made before ERFURT broke the toggle stamp for making the crown... this one looks complete, but then the photos are just slightly out of focus for magnification purposes...