o-37 early K date tool

[MFC]

Is this one legit? Any opinions appreciated.

lightly stamped o-37, I beam proof.

[John Sabato]

Mike, It is hard to say from the photos, but my gut feeling is that this one is not an original, but a reproduction. The material seems to be too thick IMHO, and the exterior finish just doesn't look right to me.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Mike, John gives good advice..This type of surface finish or one similar to it is found on post war tools. Many also have line serrations on the thumb portion of the tool. I believe these were made by Haenel in Suhl.
Just from a logical standpoint it dosen't make sence to have a finish like this and attempt to mark it..the markings just won't take.
I also agree with John that the tool appears to be too thick. Originals mostly are 1/10th of an inch thick. Any thicker and they immediately become suspect to me.
In general the 0/37 type K date markings are light to begin with on good flat smooth steel.

I would not want this tool in my collection.

Jerry Burney

[MFC]

Gentlemen,
Thanks for the replies. After measuring, the tool is the correct thickness (not too thick) and it doesn't have the serrations on the thumb tab. I realize the rough surface is suspect but I haven't seen an early K date o-37 tool before and was hoping this was normal.

More pics. I'm grasping at straws now.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Mike, These tools are relatively rare and consequently expensive. I have seen my share..I collect tools... the more rare the better but I would pass on this one if it were on a table for 20 bucks.
I have been fooled before on rare tools..You have to keep learning but it's best to keep your money in your pocket on this one.
It's just not right.
If you do come accross an original it will not be cheap...

I don't know what your measuring with but the tolerance is very thin. Anything less than 1/10 is good..say 95-97 thousands. Not much over..115-125 thousands and that's too much!

My recollections previously were wrong. The type of tool you have or at least the surface texture or something like it may have been made in 1957-58 at the Veb Ernst Thalmann Werk, formally Sauer & Haenel. Pg 292 Bender's Luger Holsters & Accessories.
If it is not one of these I would bet it may be East German of the same vintage.

Jerry Burney

[OLDJARHEAD]

Hello Mike

One consolation .The education was not too expensive.

Regards

Mike Dunham


http://froogle.gunbroker.com/Auction...Item=124563977

[John Sabato]

According to the 1913 Luger P.08 blueprints, the tool is 50.5 mm long with a tolerance of -1mm and no positive tolerance.

The tool should be 24 mm wide with a tolerance of + or - 0.5 mm.

The thickness is spec'ed at 2.5 mm (with no tolerance).

The screwdriver tip is 7 mm wide (with no tolerance), and the ground screwdriver end is 6.5 mm (with no tolerance).

If anyone would like a complete set of these blueprints on CD, Check the "for sale forum" for the sticky at the top... They are a real handy reference just for things like this...and a bargain at the price for the information they contain.

Here is a SMALL extract (reduced 50% twice) of the blueprint page containing the tool.

[lugerholsterrepair]

John, That brings up an interesting subject...Klaus in another thread on Jan Stills Forum says there is a different shape to early tools compared to Nazi era...Do you know what these might entail?

I have always measured in thousands of an inch...Sort of like metric.

Jerry Burney

[John Sabato]

Sorry Jerry, I don't know of the differences, except for stampings and surface finish.

Since you collect them, how about a photo essay of a few of each era, and maybe the membership can catch the differences and point them out.

[MFC]

Well there's still hope. Maybe I didn't do to bad after all.
http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...069#post113069