First Luger - info & comments - New Photos added

[Edward Tinker]

I know that "SIMSON" received a 10 yr contract, (does not mean that a contract makes for a company, but for them, they are)

For erfurt, I quote, my own book, because i don't have Gortz and Bryans with me

In 1904 the German Navy adopted the Luger (P08), and then in 1908 the big contract; the German Army adopted the Luger, hence the designation P08. DWM was given the contract, with the stipulation that a government arsenal could also produce the pistol; Erfurt was chosen as this government arsenal. After 1910, there was a requirement for DWM to stamp the date on the top receiver of the pistol. First production of Erfurt’s is 1911, with several 1910 dated Erfurt’s claimed.

So, they are not a company, but a gov't arsenal making them for the gov't while DWM still did both gov't and commericial. There were no commericial Erfurts made.

I disagree with the comment to the effect that Erfurt did as they pleased, because Erfurt made them EXACTLY to the gov't specifications while DWM waived many requirements.


ed