1912 Erfurt Rig

squid8286 · 10-31-2025, 07:41 PM

I recently purchased this off of a friend who adopted a dog from me several years ago. It is complete and matching down to the magazines. There is a story behind it. My friend's grandfather was conscripted into the German Army sometime shortly before 1914. He saw what was happening in Europe (presumably after Archduke Ferdinand was shot) and decided to get out of Dodge while the getting was good. He brought his Army-issued P08 with him on the steamship which brought him from Bremen, Germany to the West Coast. He eventually found work as a machinist and settled in New Jersey, and returned to Germany after the war, where he married my friend's grandmother (who was a Czech) and returned to NJ and raised his family. My friend never knew him. He died in 1945. The Luger was passed down to her dad, and then to her brother (who I met several times) who passed away recently. She asked me if I wanted to buy it, and having admired them since I was a little kid and having a few others, I told her I did. The story didn't cost me anything, but it was cool to know about the man that it was initially issued to. The holster is dated 1912, and it has an unmarked take-down tool under the holster flap.1912 Erfurts didn't have a hold-open when they were originally manufactured. This is one that had one added at an armory in 1913. The bore is in almost perfect shape. I'm not much of a photographer, but the only real cosmetic wear on it is on the sideplate and the left side of the barrel from being stored in it's holster for over 100 years. The magazine in the pistol has a crack in the wooden floorplate. The extra (marked with a +) is crack-free. Those are the only issues that I can see. I spent all of one day last week taking it apart and "detailing" it inside and out. It was pretty dirty. Thought it might be of interest.

squid8286 · 10-31-2025, 07:45 PM

I realize I am not much of a photographer. The pics are pretty bad. Can anyone tell me what the inscription means on the inside of the holster flap? I know the 1912 is the date of manufacture, but I am clueless on the other stuff. Does anybody know the maker in Spandau embossed on the leather?

Mac Cat · 11-01-2025, 01:22 PM

Welcome to the forum.
You have a very nice kit there.
I can't make out much from the dark photos.

Be sure to include close-ups of the frame front with the full serial number,
under the barrel and the magazine bottom.
The holster should be show in full, front and back side.
This holster looks very interesting.
There is a C. Billep, Spandau pictured in LUGER HOLSTERS & ACCESSORIES (Eugine Bender)
on page 168, but not much more detail.

I would suggest taking it out side for indirect sunlight and using a darker background (black grey or red).

The original rust-blue finish is hard to see with indoor lighting.

squid8286 · 11-01-2025, 01:57 PM

Thank you! I took those pics with a friend's fancy Nikon digital SLR camera. Don't really know how to use it and I don't think the flash went off! I can do better with my phone camera! I will try and get some better pics of it at some point. My questions aren't really about the pistol itself. I am fairly certain of what it is. I am really curious about the holster. I looked in my copy of Jan Still's Imperial Lugers, and I see a lot of ink markings in the same place on other similar holsters, but no exact match. The maker in Spandau that you mentioned looks like it may very well be the maker of my holster. Do you have any idea on the other markings underneath the flap? Thanks for the welcome and reply!

klaus 3338 · 11-05-2025, 03:19 AM

I read F.A.R. No33, III 8, 1912. That means field artillery regiment no33, 3. gun weapon 8.
It was issued in 1912, Station of the regiment was Metz- Montigny. It was part of the XVI. army corps.

squid8286 · 11-05-2025, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klaus 3338

I read F.A.R. No33, III 8, 1912. That means field artillery regiment no33, 3. gun weapon 8.
It was issued in 1912, Station of the regiment was Metz- Montigny. It was part of the XVI. army corps.

Thank you very much!

f100 · 11-07-2025, 06:57 PM

I just had to say , because I’d love to see better pictures “ more effort on the Erfurt” . I’m interested in getting one in the future. Congratulations and learn how to be a good caretaker. Thanks Jim

squid8286 · 11-08-2025, 05:35 PM

I'll try and get some better pics up. Those are pretty bad, I have to admit.

10-31-2025, 07:45 PM	#2
squid8286 User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 10 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	I realize I am not much of a photographer. The pics are pretty bad. Can anyone tell me what the inscription means on the inside of the holster flap? I know the 1912 is the date of manufacture, but I am clueless on the other stuff. Does anybody know the maker in Spandau embossed on the leather?

11-01-2025, 01:22 PM	#3
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 769 Thanks: 2,188 Thanked 656 Times in 350 Posts	Welcome to the forum. You have a very nice kit there. I can't make out much from the dark photos. Be sure to include close-ups of the frame front with the full serial number, under the barrel and the magazine bottom. The holster should be show in full, front and back side. This holster looks very interesting. There is a C. Billep, Spandau pictured in LUGER HOLSTERS & ACCESSORIES (Eugine Bender) on page 168, but not much more detail. I would suggest taking it out side for indirect sunlight and using a darker background (black grey or red). The original rust-blue finish is hard to see with indoor lighting.

11-01-2025, 01:57 PM	#4
squid8286 User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 10 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	Thank you! I took those pics with a friend's fancy Nikon digital SLR camera. Don't really know how to use it and I don't think the flash went off! I can do better with my phone camera! I will try and get some better pics of it at some point. My questions aren't really about the pistol itself. I am fairly certain of what it is. I am really curious about the holster. I looked in my copy of Jan Still's Imperial Lugers, and I see a lot of ink markings in the same place on other similar holsters, but no exact match. The maker in Spandau that you mentioned looks like it may very well be the maker of my holster. Do you have any idea on the other markings underneath the flap? Thanks for the welcome and reply!

11-05-2025, 03:19 AM	#5
klaus 3338 User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 524 Thanks: 0 Thanked 432 Times in 165 Posts	I read F.A.R. No33, III 8, 1912. That means field artillery regiment no33, 3. gun weapon 8. It was issued in 1912, Station of the regiment was Metz- Montigny. It was part of the XVI. army corps.

11-07-2025, 06:57 PM	#7
f100 User Join Date: May 2024 Location: Hayden Idaho Posts: 34 Thanks: 62 Thanked 91 Times in 22 Posts	I just had to say , because I’d love to see better pictures “ more effort on the Erfurt” . I’m interested in getting one in the future. Congratulations and learn how to be a good caretaker. Thanks Jim

11-08-2025, 05:35 PM	#8
squid8286 User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 10 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 3 Posts	I'll try and get some better pics up. Those are pretty bad, I have to admit.