LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - What Differences If any between an Erfurt and a DWM luger

guns3545 · 07-10-2010, 07:44 PM

Eric,

Getting back to the original question.

DWM was a commercial enterprise that built both military and commercial guns. They had to be both functional and pretty and no doubt DWM struggled with the former as they geared up to produce, in volume, George Luger's invention.

Erfurt was the Prussian government arsenal that built war guns, period. P08 and P08LPs. Their guns needed to work, not be pretty. No doubt they negotiated a deal similar to that struck by the Springfield Arsenal with Colt, that gave them the right to build so many guns after DWM had supplied a specified number.

Private versus government enterprise.

No doubt the DWM guns especially the early commercials were the most beautiful guns in the world. Sorry, I'm prejudiced. But rightfully so. Their quality was adequate. So..we have a difference between form and function as pointed out by Vlim. I agree with him that function reached its pinnacle with respect to the Luger P.08 under Mauser. Let's not forget that in 1940 and beyond,( a little thing like WWII does that) Mauser had to take costs and time out of the manufacturing process so 1940's and beyond were not pretty just as the second variation 1937 was not a pretty as the first variation but it functioned well.

Erfurt guns were neither more functional or prettier. They were made by government employees who were obsessed with meeting standards. The German Grundlichkeit was obvious with the obsessive over inspection and proofing you see on Erfurts. You see; they had all the time in the world to make guns that worked and they were not worried about making a profit.

But was the finish better? No, the contrary. And by finish I mean both final machining and polishing as well as bluing. But the guns worked. You see they were making war guns not collectibles.

Krieghoffs were both functional and pretty but you see they were not supposed to build a 100,000 per year. They built what, 13000 or so over 9 or 10 years. And besides they did not have to invest much capital; they were "given" the Simson line that had been confiscated by the Nazi Regime. A gift to Krieghoff from their old hunting buddy and best customer, Goering.

So Eric, like most things in life, the answer to the question you posed depends on the perspective of the questioner and to a greater extent on the perspective of the answerer.

As always just MVHO.

John

07-10-2010, 07:44 PM	#15
guns3545 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 438 Thanks: 661 Thanked 493 Times in 219 Posts	Differences Eric, Getting back to the original question. DWM was a commercial enterprise that built both military and commercial guns. They had to be both functional and pretty and no doubt DWM struggled with the former as they geared up to produce, in volume, George Luger's invention. Erfurt was the Prussian government arsenal that built war guns, period. P08 and P08LPs. Their guns needed to work, not be pretty. No doubt they negotiated a deal similar to that struck by the Springfield Arsenal with Colt, that gave them the right to build so many guns after DWM had supplied a specified number. Private versus government enterprise. No doubt the DWM guns especially the early commercials were the most beautiful guns in the world. Sorry, I'm prejudiced. But rightfully so. Their quality was adequate. So..we have a difference between form and function as pointed out by Vlim. I agree with him that function reached its pinnacle with respect to the Luger P.08 under Mauser. Let's not forget that in 1940 and beyond,( a little thing like WWII does that) Mauser had to take costs and time out of the manufacturing process so 1940's and beyond were not pretty just as the second variation 1937 was not a pretty as the first variation but it functioned well. Erfurt guns were neither more functional or prettier. They were made by government employees who were obsessed with meeting standards. The German Grundlichkeit was obvious with the obsessive over inspection and proofing you see on Erfurts. You see; they had all the time in the world to make guns that worked and they were not worried about making a profit. But was the finish better? No, the contrary. And by finish I mean both final machining and polishing as well as bluing. But the guns worked. You see they were making war guns not collectibles. Krieghoffs were both functional and pretty but you see they were not supposed to build a 100,000 per year. They built what, 13000 or so over 9 or 10 years. And besides they did not have to invest much capital; they were "given" the Simson line that had been confiscated by the Nazi Regime. A gift to Krieghoff from their old hunting buddy and best customer, Goering. So Eric, like most things in life, the answer to the question you posed depends on the perspective of the questioner and to a greater extent on the perspective of the answerer. As always just MVHO. John