Erfurt Luger

ndb · 01-03-2013, 06:40 PM

Received this luger as a gift. The last digit on the date is worn but looks like it could be a 3,5,6, or 8 and is preceded by 191.
All numbers match except the magazines which have the wood end caps. The holster that came with it has a name August Coenen, Berlin, 1917 stamped on the inside cover. My only concern is that this luger is not blued, but stainless. Were any early lugers made out of stainless steel?
It has the word Gesichert stamped under the safety. All the other typical markings are either worn off or unreadable except for the serial # and the last two digits of the serial # on other places found on the firearm.
Any information would be much appreiciated. ndb

Edward Tinker · 01-03-2013, 07:00 PM

Nolan, welcome to the forum!

No erfurts were made out of anything but blued steel, and no military lugers were ever made for officers as nickle, chrome or otherwise (the very, very few are accounted for that were presentation lugers).

The date could be any of the above, a loup might show it?

What is the serial number, to include the suffix? That can narrow it down to a year possibly

Ed

ndb · 01-03-2013, 07:50 PM

Serial # 7632. So someone has devalued this Luger permanently?

ndb · 01-03-2013, 07:55 PM

Thanks for your time and info Edward. It is much appreciated. ndb

alanint · 01-03-2013, 08:39 PM

Yes, the reason your Luger was undoubtedly plated was because it was in poor condition. It was buffed then plated, accounting for the lack of clarity on your markings.

ndb · 01-03-2013, 08:51 PM

Thanks to you both for your response to my suspicions.

01-03-2013, 06:40 PM	#1
ndb New User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Erfurt Luger Received this luger as a gift. The last digit on the date is worn but looks like it could be a 3,5,6, or 8 and is preceded by 191. All numbers match except the magazines which have the wood end caps. The holster that came with it has a name August Coenen, Berlin, 1917 stamped on the inside cover. My only concern is that this luger is not blued, but stainless. Were any early lugers made out of stainless steel? It has the word Gesichert stamped under the safety. All the other typical markings are either worn off or unreadable except for the serial # and the last two digits of the serial # on other places found on the firearm. Any information would be much appreiciated. ndb

01-03-2013, 07:00 PM	#2
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	Nolan, welcome to the forum! No erfurts were made out of anything but blued steel, and no military lugers were ever made for officers as nickle, chrome or otherwise (the very, very few are accounted for that were presentation lugers). The date could be any of the above, a loup might show it? What is the serial number, to include the suffix? That can narrow it down to a year possibly 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

01-03-2013, 07:50 PM	#3
ndb New User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Erfurt Luger Serial # 7632. So someone has devalued this Luger permanently?

01-03-2013, 07:55 PM	#4
ndb New User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for your time and info Edward. It is much appreciated. ndb

01-03-2013, 08:39 PM	#5
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Yes, the reason your Luger was undoubtedly plated was because it was in poor condition. It was buffed then plated, accounting for the lack of clarity on your markings.

01-03-2013, 08:51 PM	#6
ndb New User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks to you both for your response to my suspicions.