[ithacaartist]

Hi Frank, welcome to the forum,

Erfurts, after a point, all used the same frame and receiver; the latter would all have had a notch let into the top front edge of the barrel extension which allows the rear sight leaf to sit in its lowest proper position. You'll see this on yours.

Generally, the date roll-stamped onto the top front radius of the receiver is the date of manufacture. This is not to be confused with a hand-stamped "1920" you'll see, usually in addition to an earlier actual mfg. date. This stamping is actually a Wiemar property mark identifying these guns as having been government property, in the 20s, and preventing them from being turned in for the bounty offered for weapons back then.

An artillery model is worth at least $1,000 to $1,200, even shooter grade mix-masters such as yours. I've noticed serial numbers in your pics of the rear sight which match neither of the serial #s on the frame of bbl. Consider it at the low end because of the shenanigans perpetrated by shortening the barrel. One might raise the value if the shortened bbl. were replaced with a properly configured bbl. of original 200 mm, which you might be able to find somewhere down the road, but cost of doing this may obliterate any rise in potential value. At least you'd have a properly configured Arty, albeit non-matching.

Even at this length, you will enjoy shooting it, I'm sure.

You're showing some leather in a pic. If it is an original holster/rig in good shape, it might be worth more than the gun. Loading tool? Cleaning rod? Board stock? ...cha-ching!

David Parker