Unrelieved sear
 

Gentlemen,
My new to me 1913 Erfurt has an unrelieved sear and lacks the stock lug. It is serial number 2730a. Which of the German states were not quite as fastidious in relieving the luger sears to comply with the directive to do so?

Thank you,
Ricardo

Relieved sear bars were introduced throughout the German Army (& Navy) in 1916.
Norm

Norm,
I understand that the directive was issued in 1916, however I seem to recall that there were some states which were particularly slow to implement the change such that when Lugers with unrelieved sears are encountered they are often from these states. If I am not mistaken, Bavaria was one of them but I would like to know if there are others. As my Luger is not unit marked, perhaps it was in service with one of those states.

Thank you,
Ricardo

Hi Ricardo,
I think you are confusing introduction of the relieved sear bar with the retro-fitting of the hold-open feature which was performed from late 1913 until the onset of hostilities in Aug 1914. The armies of Bavaria and Wurttemberg and those of some of the smaller principalities were scheduled to have this up-date installed late in 1914 but the war prevented it from being performed. Rest assured, this was not from a lack of "fastidiousness".
Norm

Norm,
Thank you. So does the unrelieved sear indicate that the weapon was probably captured before this could be performed? I don't see them very often.
I was able to strip and clean up the pistol today. Your suggestion of light scrubbing with bronze wool saturated with CLP worked quite well. The old pistol looks quite presentable with all numbered parts matching and in good shape. The bore was filthy but after repeated passing of the bore brush and patches it revealed decent rifling and minimal pitting. While not sparkling it is certainly usable. There was a bit of surface rust beginning under the grips but nothing serious. I will try to post some pictures later but as of now I am quite happy that I was able to pick it up for $1125. It has enough wear to let you know that it was used.

Regards,
Ricardo

Hi Ricardo,
I don't believe the Germans bothered to relieve sear-bars during the war. The only pre 1916 guns that I have seen that were so modified saw later service during the Weimar or Third Reich periods.
Norm

Norm, is 100% correct. The German Army was a bit too busy in 1916 to be sending firearms to the rear to have cosmetic alterations made to them.

George and Norm,
I appreciate your providing me with some background on the issue of unrelieved sears. It was helpful. The more that I learn about Imperial era Lugers, the more that I am interested in them from a historical perspective, particularly in the Erfurt variants.

Regards,
Ricardo