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Big Norm · 08-26-2001, 12:41 PM

Johnny,

I agree that there are Erfurt as well as other proof marks on the artillery barrels. I have about 15 artilleries in my collection and I swear I have seen both markings on them. As soon as I get done canning some tomatoes and peaches I will take an inventory of these markings.

Maybe this is one of those war time situations where things did not run in a real production line logic. Something like the adjustible front sights. According to military contracts, the sights were supposed to end on the 1916 artillery. But we have all seen the adjustible front sights on the 1917 artilleries.

Now, according to Walthers book, Erfurt began screwing around experimenting with the developement of the artillery in 1911. Plans to produce the artillery began in 1913. the war began in 1914. At the beginning of the war, life was cheap on the front lines. Factories had a hard time finding workers. Erfurt makes a huge batch of artillery barrels in antipation of projected pre-war production. Erfurt needed bodies to produce the rifles for the army. No Erfurt Lugers produced in 1915. Artillery barrel inventory is transferred to DWM. Inventory barrels are in various stages of finish. Some barrels are finished and proofed and some are not. We have to transfer our thoughts from a small country about to enter a major war and the unanticipated adjustments it has to make to accomodate that war.

Now, what is the difference between the artilleries and the military 4 inch Lugers. Sights, barrel length and a little notch on the receiver. The notch was already being put on by DWM. The rear sight on the 4 inch military is not really a big problem to remove from the rear toggle. So that only leaves the barrel and the artillery front and rear sights. Erfurt had the machinery developed from before the war to make the barrel and sights for the artillery. The rear sight did not change throughout the war, so there might have been a crate of those made before the war began and bodies of people were available. The front adjustible sight was dropped in 1916 and inventory was used up in 1917. I don't think that there would be a problem just throwing a few crates of barrels and sights inventory on a truck at Erfurt and sending them to DWM during the war.

All this is just conjecture on my part. There is a remote possiblility that I could be wrong. (Gosh! I may have just used up my mistake allotment for this year). I have to admit that I do not know how large, war-time quantities of barrels are made and at what point the inspection and proof mark is applied. It seems like this would be a time consuming proposition where warm human production bodies were at a premium. And we all know from looking at all the inspection marks on Erfurt Lugers that Erfurt production may not have been as efficient with labor as was DWM.

Finally, it looks like Tom H., Johnny Pepper, myself and others may all be correct. I am just trying to deal with this in a logical manner. But I am open to discussion.

Big Norm

08-26-2001, 12:41 PM	#16
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Artillery Luger Barrels Johnny, I agree that there are Erfurt as well as other proof marks on the artillery barrels. I have about 15 artilleries in my collection and I swear I have seen both markings on them. As soon as I get done canning some tomatoes and peaches I will take an inventory of these markings. Maybe this is one of those war time situations where things did not run in a real production line logic. Something like the adjustible front sights. According to military contracts, the sights were supposed to end on the 1916 artillery. But we have all seen the adjustible front sights on the 1917 artilleries. Now, according to Walthers book, Erfurt began screwing around experimenting with the developement of the artillery in 1911. Plans to produce the artillery began in 1913. the war began in 1914. At the beginning of the war, life was cheap on the front lines. Factories had a hard time finding workers. Erfurt makes a huge batch of artillery barrels in antipation of projected pre-war production. Erfurt needed bodies to produce the rifles for the army. No Erfurt Lugers produced in 1915. Artillery barrel inventory is transferred to DWM. Inventory barrels are in various stages of finish. Some barrels are finished and proofed and some are not. We have to transfer our thoughts from a small country about to enter a major war and the unanticipated adjustments it has to make to accomodate that war. Now, what is the difference between the artilleries and the military 4 inch Lugers. Sights, barrel length and a little notch on the receiver. The notch was already being put on by DWM. The rear sight on the 4 inch military is not really a big problem to remove from the rear toggle. So that only leaves the barrel and the artillery front and rear sights. Erfurt had the machinery developed from before the war to make the barrel and sights for the artillery. The rear sight did not change throughout the war, so there might have been a crate of those made before the war began and bodies of people were available. The front adjustible sight was dropped in 1916 and inventory was used up in 1917. I don't think that there would be a problem just throwing a few crates of barrels and sights inventory on a truck at Erfurt and sending them to DWM during the war. All this is just conjecture on my part. There is a remote possiblility that I could be wrong. (Gosh! I may have just used up my mistake allotment for this year). I have to admit that I do not know how large, war-time quantities of barrels are made and at what point the inspection and proof mark is applied. It seems like this would be a time consuming proposition where warm human production bodies were at a premium. And we all know from looking at all the inspection marks on Erfurt Lugers that Erfurt production may not have been as efficient with labor as was DWM. Finally, it looks like Tom H., Johnny Pepper, myself and others may all be correct. I am just trying to deal with this in a logical manner. But I am open to discussion. Big Norm