marking "G.P.O.2" on 1913 Erfurt police

Joe in Colorado · 08-20-2019, 07:18 AM

I'm new to Erfurt and Police Luger markings, could a member please ID this marking? Thank you, Joe
PS: Has the takedown lever been remarked? The type style of the numbers is slightly different.

DonVoigt · 08-20-2019, 10:57 AM

TD lever- a likely replacement, as you point out- different font, and no Erfurt acceptance mark.

G.P. is GemeindePolizei according to Don Maus in History Writ in Steel; the O. could be Osnabrueck.

On page 319 he lists G.P.O.1. , also an early P08 with no lug, including its holster, matching mags.

Joe in Colorado · 08-20-2019, 07:53 PM

Thank you Don, and an important follow-up question please. If the TD lever was replaced during the pistol's military or police service life it would not bother me so much as if it were a forgery or mismatched part number re-matching over the years with a non-Erfurt part. Have you seen parts arsenal replaced with the correct number but different font applied and of course no original Erfurt proof mark? Thank you again! Joe

Edward Tinker · 08-20-2019, 08:29 PM

I'm not Don, but my 2 cents.
The wrong takedown lever could be refurb, could be post war replacement. It is very hard to ever know. Police lugers are given more latitude among collectors than say an army one.

Depending on the price and the pictures look very much like from a dealer, then I would say likely not cheap, but I like the unusual unit marking (rare, I have never seen one in person), very nice condition and the 1913 date.

Ed
.

DonVoigt · 08-20-2019, 11:56 PM

What Ed said.

Joe in Colorado · 08-21-2019, 06:53 AM

Thank you both so very much!!!

I have received so many benefits from this forum over the years from members kindly sharing their experience and knowledge. I could not hope for more authoritative information!

The pistol is from a dealer and has not arrived yet. I sent the dealer an email asking for a modest price adjustment, I can also return the pistol.

Best Wishes, Joe

Joe in Colorado · 08-22-2019, 06:53 AM

I spent some time online looking at Erfurt takedown levers, attached are screen shots of seven including several police reworks, along with the photo of mine again. Unlike my pistol these all have smaller type faces than the nearby side plate and all have Erfurt proof marks. I will return this pistol.

dz · 08-22-2019, 08:16 AM

take down not a big deal, nice luger

HerrKaiser · 08-22-2019, 09:35 AM

For a Luger of that overall quality with that unit mark, the TD lever is something that I would overlook.

DonVoigt · 08-22-2019, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe in Colorado

I spent some time online looking at Erfurt takedown levers, attached are screen shots of seven including several police reworks, along with the photo of mine again. Unlike my pistol these all have smaller type faces than the nearby side plate and all have Erfurt proof marks. I will return this pistol.

It all depends on the $$ you paid; if you paid for a "matching" luger, then return it.
At the "right price" I'd keep it, but you will have to decide what the right price is to you. JMHO.

Joe in Colorado · 08-22-2019, 02:54 PM

Thank you all again for your comments. The Luger was $1850 before shipping and others fees.

Don M · 08-22-2019, 03:25 PM

If it were me and I was still collecting, I'd keep it. But, then I am a police property marking nerd!

Joe in Colorado · 08-31-2019, 06:45 AM

By the way, this pistol is available for sale again now at Legacy Collectibles, cheers, Joe.

DonVoigt · 08-31-2019, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe in Colorado

By the way, this pistol is available for sale again now at Legacy Collectibles, cheers, Joe.

It was sold and now is not?
Want to share what happened?

Joe in Colorado · 09-01-2019, 10:16 AM

Yes, I bought this pistol and returned it.

I read and valued member's comments that the td lever was not so important but it did bug me personally so I found another Erfurt police rework, see below.

The above pistol is in return transit now so if anyone is interested this is a good time to contact the seller, Legacy Collectibles, Kurt or Chris, it was $1850 and I obtained their permission to mention this on our forum.

I did buy and should soon receive the 1913/1920 Erfurt double date in my more recent posting-the one with the markings on the side.

Best Wishes, Joe

08-20-2019, 07:18 AM	#1
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 103 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	marking "G.P.O.2" on 1913 Erfurt police I'm new to Erfurt and Police Luger markings, could a member please ID this marking? Thank you, Joe PS: Has the takedown lever been remarked? The type style of the numbers is slightly different. Attached Thumbnails

08-20-2019, 10:57 AM	#2
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	TD lever- a likely replacement, as you point out- different font, and no Erfurt acceptance mark. G.P. is GemeindePolizei according to Don Maus in History Writ in Steel; the O. could be Osnabrueck. On page 319 he lists G.P.O.1. , also an early P08 with no lug, including its holster, matching mags. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

08-20-2019, 08:29 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	I'm not Don, but my 2 cents. The wrong takedown lever could be refurb, could be post war replacement. It is very hard to ever know. Police lugers are given more latitude among collectors than say an army one. Depending on the price and the pictures look very much like from a dealer, then I would say likely not cheap, but I like the unusual unit marking (rare, I have never seen one in person), very nice condition and the 1913 date. Ed . __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

08-20-2019, 11:56 PM	#5
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	What Ed said. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

08-22-2019, 06:53 AM	#7
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 103 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	I spent some time online looking at Erfurt takedown levers, attached are screen shots of seven including several police reworks, along with the photo of mine again. Unlike my pistol these all have smaller type faces than the nearby side plate and all have Erfurt proof marks. I will return this pistol. Attached Thumbnails

08-20-2019, 07:53 PM	#3
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 103 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	Thank you Don, and an important follow-up question please. If the TD lever was replaced during the pistol's military or police service life it would not bother me so much as if it were a forgery or mismatched part number re-matching over the years with a non-Erfurt part. Have you seen parts arsenal replaced with the correct number but different font applied and of course no original Erfurt proof mark? Thank you again! Joe

08-21-2019, 06:53 AM	#6
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 103 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	Thank you both so very much!!! I have received so many benefits from this forum over the years from members kindly sharing their experience and knowledge. I could not hope for more authoritative information! The pistol is from a dealer and has not arrived yet. I sent the dealer an email asking for a modest price adjustment, I can also return the pistol. Best Wishes, Joe

08-22-2019, 08:16 AM	#8
dz Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 259 Thanks: 1 Thanked 55 Times in 39 Posts	take down not a big deal, nice luger

08-22-2019, 09:35 AM	#9
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 848 Thanks: 784 Thanked 861 Times in 411 Posts	For a Luger of that overall quality with that unit mark, the TD lever is something that I would overlook. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

08-22-2019, 02:54 PM	#11
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 103 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	Thank you all again for your comments. The Luger was $1850 before shipping and others fees.

08-22-2019, 03:25 PM	#12
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	If it were me and I was still collecting, I'd keep it. But, then I am a police property marking nerd! __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

08-31-2019, 06:45 AM	#13
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 103 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	By the way, this pistol is available for sale again now at Legacy Collectibles, cheers, Joe.

09-01-2019, 10:16 AM	#15
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 103 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	Yes, I bought this pistol and returned it. I read and valued member's comments that the td lever was not so important but it did bug me personally so I found another Erfurt police rework, see below. The above pistol is in return transit now so if anyone is interested this is a good time to contact the seller, Legacy Collectibles, Kurt or Chris, it was $1850 and I obtained their permission to mention this on our forum. I did buy and should soon receive the 1913/1920 Erfurt double date in my more recent posting-the one with the markings on the side. Best Wishes, Joe