1911 Erfurt 619

myky · 12-06-2008, 12:43 PM

I recently purchased this 1911 Erfurt number 619 that has some characters punched out on the left hand receiver. Any ideas what they meant ?

myky · 12-06-2008, 01:02 PM

Sorry about the previous message with no scans.... Haven't been here in awhile..... My question was, would anybody have any idea what the punched out characters meant on the left hand side of the receiver of my 1911 Erfurt number 619 ? Any replys would be greatly appreciated.

drbuster · 12-06-2008, 02:09 PM

The peened out numbers appear to be "A8" which probably represent a unit mark. Unit markings were usually applied to the front grip strap (are there any stamped there?) and the placement of this "A8" would not be to regulation. That may be the reason for their removal. By the way, this is a very nice early Erfurt that possesses the Prussian eagle on the front of the trigger guard. Thanks for posting the photographs.

Ron Smith · 12-06-2008, 02:11 PM

Not sure what the markings are, A and ? One big plus is the Imperial eagle on the front of your trigger guard. Is it unit marked?

Ron

myky · 12-06-2008, 03:12 PM

No, there are no grip markings at all. Could this be the area where the unit marks were placed before settling on the front strap ? It also has the original to the gun matching mag in the same condition as the gun.

GerColctor · 12-06-2008, 06:21 PM

myky

Imperial unit marks were always applied on the grip strap. If you look at the earliest 1908 military Lugers with undated chambers, they are unit marked on the grip.

I have no idea why your Luger was marked at that location, then "somebody" subsequently went to the effort of obiterating them. Interesting question as what those marks ment.

Nice all matching early Luger.

Joe

tenbears · 12-07-2008, 09:31 AM

First Erfurt I have seen with the Prussian Eagle on the trigger guard. Thanks for sharing the 1911 with us.

Ron Smith · 12-07-2008, 10:40 AM

As Doc stated, it is most likely a provisional or Staff unit mark for 8th Artillery Regt. This one could have been transferred to another unit and the mark obliterated.

Lugers are recorded that do have the unit marks in other locations. However, they are rare. Provisional marks, if not on the grip strap, are more commonly found on the rear of the frame above the lanyard staple.

It is a very nice early Erfurt.

Ron

drbuster · 12-07-2008, 12:44 PM

Myky, I would like to see the bottom of the magazine, especially if it is matching the rest of the gun.

whcoyote · 12-11-2008, 09:12 PM

The "punched-out" markings on the left top of the chamber are under the bluing. How did this piece get out of Erfurt in this condition (assuming the finish is original)?
Bob G.

12-06-2008, 12:43 PM	#1
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	1911 Erfurt 619 I recently purchased this 1911 Erfurt number 619 that has some characters punched out on the left hand receiver. Any ideas what they meant ? __________________ myky

12-06-2008, 01:02 PM	#2
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	1911 Erfurt number 619 Sorry about the previous message with no scans.... Haven't been here in awhile..... My question was, would anybody have any idea what the punched out characters meant on the left hand side of the receiver of my 1911 Erfurt number 619 ? Any replys would be greatly appreciated. Attached Thumbnails __________________ myky

12-06-2008, 02:11 PM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Not sure what the markings are, A and ? One big plus is the Imperial eagle on the front of your trigger guard. Is it unit marked? Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

12-06-2008, 03:12 PM	#5
myky User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 178 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 9 Posts	No, there are no grip markings at all. Could this be the area where the unit marks were placed before settling on the front strap ? It also has the original to the gun matching mag in the same condition as the gun. Attached Thumbnails __________________ myky

12-06-2008, 06:21 PM	#6
GerColctor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: CT & FL Posts: 308 Thanks: 2 Thanked 40 Times in 27 Posts	myky Imperial unit marks were always applied on the grip strap. If you look at the earliest 1908 military Lugers with undated chambers, they are unit marked on the grip. I have no idea why your Luger was marked at that location, then "somebody" subsequently went to the effort of obiterating them. Interesting question as what those marks ment. Nice all matching early Luger. Joe __________________ It is better to have lived a day as a tiger, then a thousand years as a lamb.

12-06-2008, 02:09 PM	#3
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	The peened out numbers appear to be "A8" which probably represent a unit mark. Unit markings were usually applied to the front grip strap (are there any stamped there?) and the placement of this "A8" would not be to regulation. That may be the reason for their removal. By the way, this is a very nice early Erfurt that possesses the Prussian eagle on the front of the trigger guard. Thanks for posting the photographs.

12-07-2008, 09:31 AM	#7
tenbears User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 370 Thanks: 3 Thanked 26 Times in 15 Posts	First Erfurt I have seen with the Prussian Eagle on the trigger guard. Thanks for sharing the 1911 with us.

12-07-2008, 10:40 AM	#8
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	As Doc stated, it is most likely a provisional or Staff unit mark for 8th Artillery Regt. This one could have been transferred to another unit and the mark obliterated. Lugers are recorded that do have the unit marks in other locations. However, they are rare. Provisional marks, if not on the grip strap, are more commonly found on the rear of the frame above the lanyard staple. It is a very nice early Erfurt. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

12-07-2008, 12:44 PM	#9
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Myky, I would like to see the bottom of the magazine, especially if it is matching the rest of the gun.

12-11-2008, 09:12 PM	#10
whcoyote User Join Date: May 2008 Location: SW Virginia Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	The "punched-out" markings on the left top of the chamber are under the bluing. How did this piece get out of Erfurt in this condition (assuming the finish is original)? Bob G.