I noticed this typical Vopo luger online, and on closer inspection found it to have an American Eagle receiver- well that is/was just too strange/unusual/Cool to pass up!
No one else bid, so "here we go again"!
It arrived today, and sure enough a genuine early AE 1900 receiver, with a nice strong American eagle! Numbered 8377 on the bottom of the receiver- dates it to about 1901-2 or so.
I wish I knew how the AE receiver came to be in the possession of the East Germans after WWII; and what "they" though about as it processed through re-work.
All I can say for sure is that the EG armorers knew what to do, the old long receiver has been faced off and is now a "short" receiver, the 1900 type extractor cut has been modified to accept an also slightly modified P 08 extractor.
In addition the pistol received a Mauser frame, 2234 f, with "X" applied, the fluted striker(firing pin) has an electro penciled(EP) cross out and new EP numbers added to the toggle axle.
The rear toggle and middle link, and sear bar are of EG make; with the characteristic EG knurling pattern or lack of on the knobs. The breech block has an imperial proof. The sear bar has a slightly different shape at the front and is less well finished.
The like new barrel is dated 9(Sept) 53(1953) and the complete pistol has the EG crown N proof on the bottom of the barrel(along with importers marking) and on the left receiver, which also received the 2234 number. The magazine is # 2234. Grips are dark brown/black with the "Vopo" bullseye.
Pistol was refinished in the typical dark black dip finish of the EG reworks. Must have been put into storage until the '90s- when it and thousands of others were sold to the US marked. Import marking on the bottom of the barrel is :
"RTB Corp - Miami - FL 9mm"
One could argue this thread does not belong in "early lugers"; it could be in WWII, or Post WWII. But I thought more might see it here.
