gathering information

handmedownluger · 06-27-2004, 07:56 PM

I recently inherited a luger from my father. He acquired it in 1945 during his deployment in WWII outside Frankfurt. It has been in storage for over 50 years and to my novice eye appears to be in very good condition. Based on some preliminary research found here and on other sites, here is what I know so far. It was manufactured in 1918 at the Erfurt facility. It has all matching numbers, what I believe to be its original holster ( with the printed names of several German soldiers on the back of it whom I assume at one time or another held possession of this gun ) and the takedown tool located inside the holster. It has two magazines althoug neither one has the same markings(serial #) as the gun. I believe the gun to be all original or at least I know that no rework has been done to it since my father took possession in 1945. Due to the sentimental nature of this piece, I have no interest in parting with it. I am not a collector nor do I possess any other firearms. It has many of the traditional markings found on a gun of its year plus a couple that I have yet to understand. I would enjoy hearing from anyone who has a thorough and knowledgable history of these guns as I would like to learn as much as I can about its history. I recently obtained a couple of books on the luger and look forward to reading them. In the meantime any help from a member would be appreciated.

Edward Tinker · 06-27-2004, 08:22 PM

John, sounds like an interesting gun, as are many guns handed from one relative to another.

Can you tell us any markings on the gun?

Proofs? (see on your left under tech information if you came through www.lugerforum.com) Tell us what and where proofs and markings are located.

There are forms in this section, where you can print out and then write down pertinent information.

What serial number is on the gun? To include any letters next to or under the serial number?

Can you provide pictures, to include side, top, etc?

Welcome to the forum,

Ed

handmedownluger · 06-27-2004, 09:24 PM

Ed, Thanks for your quick response. Here are the markings on the gun as I understand them. I don't have any pictures yet but will work on getting some soon. Serial Number is 3120. The last two digits (20) are found on 6 seperate parts of the gun. My unfamiliarity with gun parts prevents me from properly naming these parts although the disected picture of the parts will enable me to do that soon. The proof markings are items #14 located both on the barrel and again as shown on item #16 although the three symbols prior to the #14 symbol are not exactly as shown. There is also the #19 repair, refurbish or modification markings as indicated by the RC with that symbol over them. The serial number located under the barrel on the front part of the trigger frame has a cursive "n" which I understand has to do with the production run. There is also the letter "B" on the front of the breechblock just behind the date stamp of 1918. That same symbol appears again at the back of the breechblock with another symbol that I don't recognize. There are a couple of other markings that are difficult to describe but hopefully the pictures will help clear those up. I should have pictures by the end of the week. I look forward to furhter conversations with you and your members. Thanks, John

RockinWR · 06-27-2004, 11:44 PM

John,
* Per Jan Still, Imperial Luger, Pg. 62, there were approximately 175,000 Erfurt produced in 1918. The S/N range is 304 to 7538t as of this books 1991 release date. Lugers were made in blocks of 10,000 pistols. The small cursive lower case letter indicates which block of 10,000. For 1918 Erfurts, a number of S/N blocks have not had a surviving pistol yet reported; hence, the estimate of 175k.
* Crown/RC is the acceptance stamp of the Revision Commission. This indicates a servicable Luger that has failed the stringent Army Inspection because a non-critical tolerance or external deviation. The C/RC stamp approved the Luger for service and absolved the Army inspector from blame if the Luger failed.
* Looking forward to seeing pics when you can accommodate.
Respectfully,
Bob

06-27-2004, 08:22 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	John, sounds like an interesting gun, as are many guns handed from one relative to another. Can you tell us any markings on the gun? Proofs? (see on your left under tech information if you came through www.lugerforum.com) Tell us what and where proofs and markings are located. There are forms in this section, where you can print out and then write down pertinent information. What serial number is on the gun? To include any letters next to or under the serial number? Can you provide pictures, to include side, top, etc? Welcome to the forum, Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

06-27-2004, 07:56 PM	#1
handmedownluger New User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	gathering information I recently inherited a luger from my father. He acquired it in 1945 during his deployment in WWII outside Frankfurt. It has been in storage for over 50 years and to my novice eye appears to be in very good condition. Based on some preliminary research found here and on other sites, here is what I know so far. It was manufactured in 1918 at the Erfurt facility. It has all matching numbers, what I believe to be its original holster ( with the printed names of several German soldiers on the back of it whom I assume at one time or another held possession of this gun ) and the takedown tool located inside the holster. It has two magazines althoug neither one has the same markings(serial #) as the gun. I believe the gun to be all original or at least I know that no rework has been done to it since my father took possession in 1945. Due to the sentimental nature of this piece, I have no interest in parting with it. I am not a collector nor do I possess any other firearms. It has many of the traditional markings found on a gun of its year plus a couple that I have yet to understand. I would enjoy hearing from anyone who has a thorough and knowledgable history of these guns as I would like to learn as much as I can about its history. I recently obtained a couple of books on the luger and look forward to reading them. In the meantime any help from a member would be appreciated.

06-27-2004, 09:24 PM	#3
handmedownluger New User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed, Thanks for your quick response. Here are the markings on the gun as I understand them. I don't have any pictures yet but will work on getting some soon. Serial Number is 3120. The last two digits (20) are found on 6 seperate parts of the gun. My unfamiliarity with gun parts prevents me from properly naming these parts although the disected picture of the parts will enable me to do that soon. The proof markings are items #14 located both on the barrel and again as shown on item #16 although the three symbols prior to the #14 symbol are not exactly as shown. There is also the #19 repair, refurbish or modification markings as indicated by the RC with that symbol over them. The serial number located under the barrel on the front part of the trigger frame has a cursive "n" which I understand has to do with the production run. There is also the letter "B" on the front of the breechblock just behind the date stamp of 1918. That same symbol appears again at the back of the breechblock with another symbol that I don't recognize. There are a couple of other markings that are difficult to describe but hopefully the pictures will help clear those up. I should have pictures by the end of the week. I look forward to furhter conversations with you and your members. Thanks, John

06-27-2004, 11:44 PM	#4
RockinWR User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: D/FW, Tx Posts: 279 Thanks: 109 Thanked 31 Times in 16 Posts	John, * Per Jan Still, Imperial Luger, Pg. 62, there were approximately 175,000 Erfurt produced in 1918. The S/N range is 304 to 7538t as of this books 1991 release date. Lugers were made in blocks of 10,000 pistols. The small cursive lower case letter indicates which block of 10,000. For 1918 Erfurts, a number of S/N blocks have not had a surviving pistol yet reported; hence, the estimate of 175k. * Crown/RC is the acceptance stamp of the Revision Commission. This indicates a servicable Luger that has failed the stringent Army Inspection because a non-critical tolerance or external deviation. The C/RC stamp approved the Luger for service and absolved the Army inspector from blame if the Luger failed. * Looking forward to seeing pics when you can accommodate. Respectfully, Bob