Unusual Erfurt spotted today.
 

Was shooting with some guys, an older gent was shooting a very minty old 1898 Krag. I was speaking with him about it when he mentioned that he had a Luger with him. I of course asked to look at it. When presented it looked as if it had been refinished as in strong sunlight it did not have a patina under the blue. Now the odd thing was that it was a 1916 Erfurt, but it did not have the notch on the chamber as most Erfurts do. I immediately though that it was a force match. but it was Erfurt proofed and "RC" marked. Could this be like the Erfurt Thor had that missed a machining process? Wish I had a camera to take some pics of it. As I recall it was serial number 1978 with no letter. Oh yea it was all matching aside from the blank firing pin.

Doug, the directive that all receivers be notched wasn't issued until late in 1916 so there are many 1916's made by Erfurt that are not cut for the Artillery rear sight. Additionally, not all 1917 and 1918 Erfurt Lugers have the notch. I have such a 1917 myself.