Neighbor’s 1914 Erfurt
 

At a recent get together, my neighbor asked if I would clean a pistol that his grandfather brought back from WWII. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it. It is in excellent condition with all matching numbers to include a magazine and grips. Please let me know if you want any more pictures before I return it. Also let me know if there is anything special about it. I posted pictures of the holster in another section.

That is truly a treasure as the short barrel 1914 Erfurts are not common. Much of Erfurt's production in 1914 went to the Artillery model.

Does it have unit markings?

Your neighbor is fortunate to own such a fine Luger.

No it does not. He quickly let me know before I asked that it is going to his son. Who knows-maybe his son will sell it. My neighbor, who is 75 like me, also said that his grandfather also gave a brother a Luger, while a third brother got the prized one with a snail magazine. Obviously, His grandfather had a favorite. The pistol actually looks better than the pictures. Even the firing pin matches. The bore is absolutely perfect.

It's a very nice-looking pistol that shows very little evidence of use, if I were in your place I'd have already tried to buy it.

I just returned the pistol to my neighbor. I again expressed interest without success. He told me that it is going to his son. He also told me he refused $2,000 cash in 1970. He was told that his brother's Luger with a" long barrel and the snail magazine" is worth over $100k "according to a knowledgeable friend". Enough said. Thanks for all the help. Steve

$ 2K cash in 1970 for an Erfurt? :roflmao:
I don't know much about prices in your country but perhaps your neighbour went wrong with the figure...
Anyway, sorry to hear that you didn't have much success with your neighbour.
Erfurt lugers are not that scarce, I'm sure that with a bit of luck you'll find another, and let your neighbour "dream" on his "expensive Luger"...

They may be worth that much to him personally, but I promise that those prices are not the market value of those guns.

According to an inflation calculator, $2,000 in 1970 would be the same as $12,943.65 today.

The problem with "knowledgeable friends" is that they've likely seen an extremely rare Luger - perhaps a .45ACP Test Luger - sell for a huge sum and think all Lugers bring such money.

Croc9 has done a good deed by cleaning and lubricating his neighbor's Luger. I'd leave it at that because trying to convince him of the real world value of his Luger would only cause a problem. The neighbor doesn't want to sell so what someone would actually pay for it is a moot point.

Picture Quality
 

Hi Croc9,
Shame you weren't able to buy it from your neighbor. From the quality of your pictures it looks like a beautiful collectable.
Speaking of pictures, and if you don't mind sharing your method, I and possibly others on this forum would like to know how you achieved such great clear shots with little or no shadowing.

I stumbled on to the process because I could not understand directions from others and I am not really smart on computers. This was all done with my Ipad, but can probably be done with others.

I take pictures with my Ipad to include zooming in. They automatically go into "Photos". After composing a post, scroll down below the box with the message. You will see a choice marked "manage attachments". Click on it. When you click on a "browse" button, it will ask for the location of the picture. My choice is "library" which will bring up pictures from my "photos". Select one and it will automatically be moved. Repeat the browse process until you have completed all you want. Then click on the "upload" button and WAIT until it completes the upload process. It will return you to your post with the pictures attached ready to submit. Simple!

It's actually easier than it sounds. Try it. The secret is to locate the "manage attachments". Any problems-PM me and I'll give my phone number. Steve

I take the pictures on my workbench under a fluorescent 4 foot 4 bulb work light. The light is 2 feet above the bench. The room has no windows. (sorry I missed the point of your message)

Thanks Croc9
 

Your pictures came out great so I was wondering how you did them. Thanks for the explanation! I've tried various methods but they never come out as good as yours. I'll try your method next.

The proof stamps include a Revisions Commission stamp. The FAQ and several threads here can fill you in on what that means. ;)