Death Head Lugers revisited

Vlim · 07-23-2011, 06:30 PM

When in Oberndorf am Neckar this year, we had the chance to meet and talk with Reinhard Kornmayer. He confirmed to us that he had located the German gun smith who had created the Death Head Lugers in the 1960s, on behalf of an undisclosed American importer. The gun smith, now in his 80s, has no desire to put his statement in writing, but Kornmayer had no doubt that the man was telling the truth.

I wouldn't touch a Death Head Luger with a 10 feet pole.

(unless you are interested in collecting it for what it is, a 1960s fake)

Ron Wood · 07-23-2011, 08:06 PM

As I responded to this post over on Jan Still's forum:

Gerben,
The earliest reference, with a photo, to the DH Luger that I know of is the 1958 first revised edition of Fred Datig's "The Luger Pistol". I suspect the discovery and photography of this pistol significantly predates 1958, which throws the 1960s production into a cocked hat. While I am sure I will be accused of having a biased opinion since I own a DH Luger, I feel that you could fertilize you garden with this story of an un-named German gunsmith fabricating these guns for an undisclosed US customer. Last time the story went around it was a US forger making them in his basement. The lofty credentials of Herr Kornmayer notwithstanding, this tale is just as preposterous. The DH Lugers may indeed be fake, but this account is certainly horsefeathers.

Vlim · 07-23-2011, 08:09 PM

Ron, the problem is that the gun smith is not talking. I would suggest contacting Kornmayer directly if you have any doubts. 1958 is only 2 years away from the 1960s, after all.

Dismissing this as 'horsefeathers' is a little bit too easy.

Ron Wood · 07-23-2011, 10:15 PM

It is certainly a little bit too easy if indeed there is only a 2 year interval involved. However, I suspect it is at least double that. Please refer to the reply of this old geezer on Still's forum

.

sheepherder · 07-23-2011, 10:45 PM

I'll have to go over to Still's and check this out.

I'm hoping to add a Death's Head Luger [Totenkopf] to my modest collection which presently only consists of a Russian Contract Luger and an original Luger Karabine...

07-23-2011, 06:30 PM	#1
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,991 Times in 1,205 Posts	Death Head Lugers revisited When in Oberndorf am Neckar this year, we had the chance to meet and talk with Reinhard Kornmayer. He confirmed to us that he had located the German gun smith who had created the Death Head Lugers in the 1960s, on behalf of an undisclosed American importer. The gun smith, now in his 80s, has no desire to put his statement in writing, but Kornmayer had no doubt that the man was telling the truth. I wouldn't touch a Death Head Luger with a 10 feet pole. (unless you are interested in collecting it for what it is, a 1960s fake)

07-23-2011, 08:06 PM	#2
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: 7,051 Thanks: 1,120 Thanked 5,287 Times in 1,728 Posts	As I responded to this post over on Jan Still's forum: Gerben, The earliest reference, with a photo, to the DH Luger that I know of is the 1958 first revised edition of Fred Datig's "The Luger Pistol". I suspect the discovery and photography of this pistol significantly predates 1958, which throws the 1960s production into a cocked hat. While I am sure I will be accused of having a biased opinion since I own a DH Luger, I feel that you could fertilize you garden with this story of an un-named German gunsmith fabricating these guns for an undisclosed US customer. Last time the story went around it was a US forger making them in his basement. The lofty credentials of Herr Kornmayer notwithstanding, this tale is just as preposterous. The DH Lugers may indeed be fake, but this account is certainly horsefeathers. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

07-23-2011, 10:15 PM	#4
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: 7,051 Thanks: 1,120 Thanked 5,287 Times in 1,728 Posts	It is certainly a little bit too easy if indeed there is only a 2 year interval involved. However, I suspect it is at least double that. Please refer to the reply of this old geezer on Still's forum . __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

07-23-2011, 10:45 PM	#5
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,208 Thanks: 1,425 Thanked 4,474 Times in 2,343 Posts	I'll have to go over to Still's and check this out. I'm hoping to add a Death's Head Luger [Totenkopf] to my modest collection which presently only consists of a Russian Contract Luger and an original Luger Karabine... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

07-23-2011, 08:09 PM	#3
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,991 Times in 1,205 Posts	Ron, the problem is that the gun smith is not talking. I would suggest contacting Kornmayer directly if you have any doubts. 1958 is only 2 years away from the 1960s, after all. Dismissing this as 'horsefeathers' is a little bit too easy.