I have found that the quality of Erfurt P08s 1911 through 1913 is every bit the equal of DWM P08s of the same years. Erfurt quality of finish begins to lessen in 1914 with 1916 dated Erfurts the worst. 1917 and especially 1918 pistols improve but still are not the equal of the prewar guns.
The suffering of quality can best be understood if one looks at the history of the Erfurt Arsenal. In 1914 with the outbreak of war Erfurt is instructed to concentrate production on the model KAR98 carbine. This would necessitate a reduction in pistol production lines and a spreading out of the most highly skilled workers. By 1916 quality had become such an issue with Erfurt weapon production that the Bavarian Army sent a commission to investigate the problems at the Arsenal. The commission found that the increase in quality issues was due to several factors. First was the loss of younger skilled workers to the draft. Erfurt was also handicapped by mandated fixed wages so that competing privately held manufacturers were hiring away some of Erfurt's older skilled workers. Last the commission determined that the addition of a night shift had thinned out the remaining skilled work force and many positions were being filled by women.
Below are some photos of a 1912 Erfurt which illustrate the high quality of the prewar guns.
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