Jack,
* Maybe we need to refine your triggerplate criteria a bit more to avoid later disappointment.
* An Erfurt sideplate will have, in addition to a 2 digit number, a crown over a Fraktur Capital letter as applied by the Army Acceptance Inspector at the Erfurt arsenal.
* The triggerplate will also be "Rust Blued" as opposed to a hot salt blue common to Lugers made after mid 1937 by, say, Mauser.
* The search feature of this Forum will yield pictures of Erfurt Lugers contemporary to your hidden treasure. Search on only the one word Erfurt (for example), open up the number of months in the search field to the maximum, and make sure the date range spans the maximum time frame this Forum has been in existence. These pictures will show Erfurts having the placement of the Crown/Letter Inspector's Acceptance stamp and the adjacent 2 digit number located approximately in the middle of the flat vertical surface and to the right of the sideplate's "hump". Generally a space is between these 2 sets of markings. Ed T may be kind enough to post a picture of his 1912(?) Erfurt again or lead you to the thread's title.
* The sideplate should be of the same relative condition of the pistol; although the side plate usually shows a bit more wear on it's leading edges and "hump" from holstering. About the same amount of blue coverage and color, patina of the blue from age/storage, nicks/scratches, etc. so that it doesn't stand out like a sore thumb.
* Getting impossible?? Consider: the 2 digits will repeat for every 100 Erfurts made. Jan Still's, in his book Imperial Lugers, Pg. 16 estimates 519,000 Erfurts were made in 1911-1918 when Erfurt was forced by the Versailles Treaty to ceased production after WW1's end. So 5190 Erfurt Luger sideplates were Mfg. with the 2 digits which match the last 2 digits of your example notwithstanding condition and/or blank but inspector accepted replacement/overrun parts produced. There is a chance with the "Wanted" listings of this Forum, E-Bay, Gun Parts of America, Marstars, Parts Dealers who part out old Erfurts, etc. if you're patient.
* I will not address the ethical considerations involved. Other Threads, most recently the current one running on "Bluing touch-up", address a good cross section of Forum members opinions. I'll just say what Popeye says..."I yam what I yam!" It is what it is.
* Obviously, you will need a sideplate to make this piece functional. Sideplates were held to be replaceable by virtue of Mfg. tolerances. But, this is one of the more critical pieces to a Luger's "problems free" operation. As such, fitting to a particular pistol's idiosyncracies was common. Then time, wear, abuse, "smithing" all affect what you may receive today. Get an Inspection period to be able to try a purchased sideplate out before consummating a deal.
* As to firing your Luger:
(1) It is not recommended to shoot a collector's grade Luger as one breakage of a numbered matching part seriously affects the sale value of the piece. Approximately 50% reduction. Same similar reasons as for your Carbines.
(2) However: Accepting the risk implied in (1) above...The first regular arms length Forum response is to get a competant gunsmith familiar with Lugers to check the piece out before you attempt to shoot it to assure it is safe. The second is to buy a "shooter" and enjoy shooting it while maintaining/appreciating your collectable P.08 as an Investment and Historical testiment.
(3) Tempering (1) & (2) above, I pragmatically note a number of Forum members favor WallyWorld's 9mm as reliable and reasonably inexpensive ammo.
* Trust this helps you to know what exactly to look for.
Enjoy,
Bob
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