Erfurt Luger

vern · 05-20-2004, 07:34 PM

I have wanted a world war one or earlier Luger but have avoided Erfurt manufactured pistols due to their reputation for inferior wormanship. Is this a mistake on my part?

Vern

Thor · 05-20-2004, 07:55 PM

Yes, but Erfurt Lugers may even been worth more due to there were less of them made. A DWM or Erfurt are both nice Lugers IMO. The outside of an Erfurt is a little rougher. They have many RC marked so called reject parts but I dont think if the pistol survived the war in good condition it was much of a issue with them. I wouldnt hesitate on buying a good condition Erfurt just because it is rougher.

Ron Wood · 05-20-2004, 08:32 PM

Functionaly, an Erfurt Luger is every bit as good as a DWM. As Ted (Thor) has pointed out, Erfurt, being a government arsenal, did not exercise the same level of exterior finish as DWM, which had been producing commercial weapons and therefore was prepared with equipment and procedures to produce a finer finish. Also as Ted has indicated, there are fewer Erfurt Lugers to collect. So in my opinion, in the higher condition range (95% or better) given a DWM and an Erfurt in identical condition I would expect the Erfurt to command a slight premium.

Dwight Gruber · 05-21-2004, 02:33 AM

Conventional Wisdom has always been that Erfurts are worth less than their corresponding DWM, I suspect because of the finish difference. I would expect that Ron is right, that Erfurts are going to bring a premium. Some of us simply prefer Erfurts.

At the beginning the Erfurt finish was not necessarily inferior, I have a 1911 which is every bit as nice as a DWM.

--Dwight

05-20-2004, 07:34 PM	#1
vern User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Erfurt Luger I have wanted a world war one or earlier Luger but have avoided Erfurt manufactured pistols due to their reputation for inferior wormanship. Is this a mistake on my part? Vern

05-20-2004, 07:55 PM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Yes, but Erfurt Lugers may even been worth more due to there were less of them made. A DWM or Erfurt are both nice Lugers IMO. The outside of an Erfurt is a little rougher. They have many RC marked so called reject parts but I dont think if the pistol survived the war in good condition it was much of a issue with them. I wouldnt hesitate on buying a good condition Erfurt just because it is rougher. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

05-20-2004, 08:32 PM	#3
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,040 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,257 Times in 1,724 Posts	Functionaly, an Erfurt Luger is every bit as good as a DWM. As Ted (Thor) has pointed out, Erfurt, being a government arsenal, did not exercise the same level of exterior finish as DWM, which had been producing commercial weapons and therefore was prepared with equipment and procedures to produce a finer finish. Also as Ted has indicated, there are fewer Erfurt Lugers to collect. So in my opinion, in the higher condition range (95% or better) given a DWM and an Erfurt in identical condition I would expect the Erfurt to command a slight premium. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

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05-21-2004, 02:33 AM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Conventional Wisdom has always been that Erfurts are worth less than their corresponding DWM, I suspect because of the finish difference. I would expect that Ron is right, that Erfurts are going to bring a premium. Some of us simply prefer Erfurts. At the beginning the Erfurt finish was not necessarily inferior, I have a 1911 which is every bit as nice as a DWM. --Dwight