ERFURT Collection
 

Is there anybody that has been collecting ERFURTS?

I'm adding a WWI category to my collection and I was thinking of concentrating on ERFURT produced pistols.

Any ideas or comments on this?

I already have a 1912 & a 1913 w/stock lug.

Which ones would be the hardest to find?

Thank you

kidvett [img]cool.gif[/img]

[quote]Originally posted by kidvett:
<strong>Is there anybody that has been collecting ERFURTS? I'm adding a WWI category to my collection and I was thinking of concentrating on ERFURT produced pistols. I already have a 1912 & a 1913 w/stock lug. Which ones would be the hardest to find?</strong><hr></blockquote>

While my collection is primarily Imperial Lugers, my military guns are mostly Erfurt and I rather prefer them. I have two Erfurt 1914 LP-08's, a 1916 Erfurt that has been converted to police use and a 1917 Erfurt that is an E. German VOPO rework. The VOPO is almost all matching (sideplate is forced match) and in excellent condition. I also have a 1920-era Erfurt "commercial" rework in .30 caliber and with a 3 7/8 inch replacement barrel. The date has been removed. The receiver is notched for the Lange rear sight so I suspect it's either a 1917 or 1918. Other than the replacement barrel and mag it's a 100% matching pistol.

The 1912 and 1913 Erfurts you have are not the most common by any means and they are an excellent beginning to an Erfurt collection. Of the remaining Erfurts, a 1913 without stock lug and a 1911 will be the two most difficult to find IMO. There's also the 1914 short barrel model that is very hard to find, followed by the 1914 Artillery. The 1915 Erfurt was never produced. 1916, 1917 and 1918 are the most common with the later dates being easiest to find.

The Erfurt pistols have always been regarded as inferior to DWM produced pistols in the fit-and-finish department. The earlier Erfurts are not badly done at all while 1917 and 1918 in particular show lots of milling marks. Erfurts, to me, are more interesting than DWM's for the simple reason that they carry so many proof marks on just about every part, including grip screws. I've also found that Erfurts are functionally as reliable as their DWM counterpart.

If you decide to collect Erfurts, I believe you'll have made a good choice. I like them.

kivet:

Rarest Erfurts by production numbers:
1914 - 7,000
1911 - 10,000
1912 - 21,000
1913 - 23,000
Artillary 1914 - 23,000

Unit stampings add to the rarity.

Keep in mind that in August of 1913 stock lugs were required. So, you have a 1913 with and w/o a stock lug. I believe that the 1913 with is scarcer that the 1913 w/o. Nice for the collection to have one of each.

Good Luck with your collecting,

"The member called Garfield"

Kidvett,
I agree with Doubs and Garfield about Erfurt Lugers, I love them, but, I say that to all my Lugers.
Some collectors don't like them as much as DWM and Mauser Lugers as some Erfurt lugers do not have the same finish as those by DWM and Mauser.
My Erfurt Lugers are a 1911, a 1912, a 1914 a 1916,17 & 1918.I dont have a Erfurt 1914 Artillery butI do have all the DWM ones and Persian artillery Contract.
The 1911 and 1912 are both unit marked.
Below is a photo of the 1911 which was made in the first week of production of 1911, serial number 6xx with no suffix.
Most early Erfurts have a interesting history.
You have made a fine start to your Erfurt collection
Regards
Murray

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/Cased1911Erfurt1.JPG

Well gentlemen, I. do thank you very much for all that great information. Looking forward to get my first 2 ERFURTS ( the 1912 & 1913w/stk. lug )... cause registration here takes a couple of weeks.

By the way Murray, your cased 1911 is MAGNIFICIENT! [img]eek.gif[/img] CONGRATULATIONS! [img]wink.gif[/img]

kidvett

Kidvett
Amoung other things, I have been collecting unit marked Erfurts for 12 years. It has been my experience that they are much harder to find in excellent/excellent+ condition than the same year DWM. While the 1911 date can be fairly rough in the area of the frame ears and above the right grip, the 1912 and 1913 dates are better polished and represent the best that Erfurt produced. I have yet to find a unit marked artillery or unit marked 1916-1918 date to add to my collection.

While not as pretty as the DWM Lugers, the Erfurts have a rougher appearance that well suits their intended military use.
Jan

Mr Still,

Thank you very much for the information. I'll post PICS of my 1912 & 1913 later on.

I will keep in mind those missing Artys & 1916-18 Unit marked missing pistols in your collection.

kidvett [img]cool.gif[/img]