Luger information

Jim · 01-10-2002, 07:12 PM

This is a followup to information that this site gave me several months ago. As part of a trade I became the owner of an Erfurt Luger dated 1914 it is sn5242a and has the last two digits on all the small parts and on the inside of the grips. My followup question is reguarding the stamp (germany) on both the right and left side of the lower half of the gun. Why the english stams on a german military gun?

It has all the military proof marks according to your chart. has a 4in bbl and a stock lug.

additionaly it has an 0 E L stamped in the metal on the left grip side (covered when the grip is on). Also has a 5 stamped above the triger on the left side. The mag has a wood bottom and has the last two digits of the sn stamped in the wood.

The gun is probably a 90% gun maybe a little better. My plan is to shoot it some as I have never played with a luger before, up til now my toys have been sa colts and 76 winchesters. Is shooting ok and what type of ammo is recomended?

Dok · 01-10-2002, 09:11 PM

Shooting is OK from a mechanical standpoint. You didn't say what this pistol cost you, and if this is a collectible, and you wish to keep it as such, most collectors would stringly caution against shooting.

All the small parts are numbered (yes even the firing pin) and if one of those broke, it would clearly devalue your collectible. If on the other hand due to some reason not immediarely clear to me, this is a shooter grade Luger, then firing is acceptable.

The ammo is in all likelihood 9mm Parabellum, and many folks have found that 124 grain, FMJ works best. Stay away from +P loads or hot loads in general, that will definitely shorten the life of your parts.

Hope this helps...

Dok

Johnny Peppers · 01-10-2002, 09:15 PM

In the years right after WWI Stoeger was the largest dealer in new Luger pistols, and I believe was the sole importer for DWM. Other companies like Pacific Arms imported large quantities of both military and commericial surplus pistols and parts. Pacific Arms specialized in reworking these pistols into different barrel lengths and configurations. Many of the other firms sold the pistols just as they had received them. The GERMANY stamps indicate that the pistol was destined for the American market.

The 1914 Erfurt 4" is a tough pistol to find.

Jim · 01-11-2002, 01:21 AM

I have less than 75$ in the gun, I guess that is why I saw it as a possible shooter. Yes all parts thave a small crown and 42 stamped on them including the firing pin. Guess I will give it some thought as to shooting. Are these guns more prone to breakage than ssa colts? I consistantly shoot several of them, some having 4digit serial numbers, so far with no ill effect.

Dok · 01-11-2002, 10:31 AM

I don't think they're any more prone to breakage than any other weapon, but one always needs to remember that we are talking about a pistol that is just shy of a HUNDRED years old. Who knows what treatment it saw prior to coming into your hands.

$75???? Tell us all where to find bargains like that!!!

Good luck

Dok

01-11-2002, 10:38 AM

Jim, The "Germany" marking on your 1914 PO8 were require by customs to show the country of origin on all firearms imported for resale by some law prior to 1900 (eg. the marking on front of frame of all M1900 Am. Eagles except those purchased by the US government for testing). Since then, the requirements have expanded to include: caliber, name of importer & location.

01-10-2002, 07:12 PM	#1
Jim User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger information This is a followup to information that this site gave me several months ago. As part of a trade I became the owner of an Erfurt Luger dated 1914 it is sn5242a and has the last two digits on all the small parts and on the inside of the grips. My followup question is reguarding the stamp (germany) on both the right and left side of the lower half of the gun. Why the english stams on a german military gun? It has all the military proof marks according to your chart. has a 4in bbl and a stock lug. additionaly it has an 0 E L stamped in the metal on the left grip side (covered when the grip is on). Also has a 5 stamped above the triger on the left side. The mag has a wood bottom and has the last two digits of the sn stamped in the wood. The gun is probably a 90% gun maybe a little better. My plan is to shoot it some as I have never played with a luger before, up til now my toys have been sa colts and 76 winchesters. Is shooting ok and what type of ammo is recomended?

01-10-2002, 09:11 PM	#2
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Luger information Shooting is OK from a mechanical standpoint. You didn't say what this pistol cost you, and if this is a collectible, and you wish to keep it as such, most collectors would stringly caution against shooting. All the small parts are numbered (yes even the firing pin) and if one of those broke, it would clearly devalue your collectible. If on the other hand due to some reason not immediarely clear to me, this is a shooter grade Luger, then firing is acceptable. The ammo is in all likelihood 9mm Parabellum, and many folks have found that 124 grain, FMJ works best. Stay away from +P loads or hot loads in general, that will definitely shorten the life of your parts. Hope this helps... Dok

01-10-2002, 09:15 PM	#3
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Luger information In the years right after WWI Stoeger was the largest dealer in new Luger pistols, and I believe was the sole importer for DWM. Other companies like Pacific Arms imported large quantities of both military and commericial surplus pistols and parts. Pacific Arms specialized in reworking these pistols into different barrel lengths and configurations. Many of the other firms sold the pistols just as they had received them. The GERMANY stamps indicate that the pistol was destined for the American market. The 1914 Erfurt 4" is a tough pistol to find.

01-11-2002, 01:21 AM	#4
Jim User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Luger information I have less than 75$ in the gun, I guess that is why I saw it as a possible shooter. Yes all parts thave a small crown and 42 stamped on them including the firing pin. Guess I will give it some thought as to shooting. Are these guns more prone to breakage than ssa colts? I consistantly shoot several of them, some having 4digit serial numbers, so far with no ill effect.

01-11-2002, 10:31 AM	#5
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Luger information I don't think they're any more prone to breakage than any other weapon, but one always needs to remember that we are talking about a pistol that is just shy of a HUNDRED years old. Who knows what treatment it saw prior to coming into your hands. $75???? Tell us all where to find bargains like that!!! Good luck Dok

01-11-2002, 10:38 AM	#6
tom h Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Luger information Jim, The "Germany" marking on your 1914 PO8 were require by customs to show the country of origin on all firearms imported for resale by some law prior to 1900 (eg. the marking on front of frame of all M1900 Am. Eagles except those purchased by the US government for testing). Since then, the requirements have expanded to include: caliber, name of importer & location.