Erfurt Luger
 

Received this luger as a gift. The last digit on the date is worn but looks like it could be a 3,5,6, or 8 and is preceded by 191.
All numbers match except the magazines which have the wood end caps. The holster that came with it has a name August Coenen, Berlin, 1917 stamped on the inside cover. My only concern is that this luger is not blued, but stainless. Were any early lugers made out of stainless steel?
It has the word Gesichert stamped under the safety. All the other typical markings are either worn off or unreadable except for the serial # and the last two digits of the serial # on other places found on the firearm.
Any information would be much appreiciated. ndb

Nolan, welcome to the forum!

No erfurts were made out of anything but blued steel, and no military lugers were ever made for officers as nickle, chrome or otherwise (the very, very few are accounted for that were presentation lugers).

The date could be any of the above, a loup might show it?

What is the serial number, to include the suffix? That can narrow it down to a year possibly :)

Ed

Erfurt Luger
 

Serial # 7632. So someone has devalued this Luger permanently?

Thanks for your time and info Edward. It is much appreciated. ndb

Yes, the reason your Luger was undoubtedly plated was because it was in poor condition. It was buffed then plated, accounting for the lack of clarity on your markings.

Thanks to you both for your response to my suspicions.