My 1914 erfurt

[drbuster]

I believe I definitely see a sear safety, indicating transfer to police service and probable rework after WW1. That may explain the relieved sear bar which should NOT be on an original 1914 dated Erfurt military. Matt, please look closely at the grip screws. If original to the gun, there should be a small proof marked stamped on each grip screw. Last, but not least, if original, the magazine bottoms should have two acceptance marks on them and not one. If this luger was put into police service, the magazines could have been replacements with metal bottoms...the picture is too poor to tell.

[hammered54]

Originally Posted by drbuster

I believe I definitely see a sear safety, indicating transfer to police service and probable rework after WW1. That may explain the relieved sear bar which should NOT be on an original 1914 dated Erfurt military. Matt, please look closely at the grip screws. If original to the gun, there should be a small proof marked stamped on each grip screw. Last, but not least, if original, the magazine bottoms should have two acceptance marks on them and not one. If this luger was put into police service, the magazines could have been replacements with metal bottoms...the picture is too poor to tell.

there is a proof mark on both grip screws, also the bottom of both mag's (wood) have the ser. # which match the gun and yes there is also 2 proof mark's on the first one ( there numbered 1 and 2 ) on the second mag there is a + under the number 2

I'll work on some better pics...its just a point and shoot.
Matt.

[abukafura]

I exchanged correspondence with Reinhard Kornmeyer in 1997 regarding the meaning of these grip strap markings. He was of the opinion that they could NOT mean Garde Kurraisier Regt Satff because there were not that many pistols in the staff HQ of such a unit (mine is numbered 122). I am not endorsing his view, only repeating it. He cited references at the time which seemed to validate his point. Don Maus told me in a note in Auto Mag that he believed this marking was for Gendarmierie Korps of Hesse. Also, Reinhard also cited a third Luger with grip strap markings of G.K.100

[George Anderson]

Originally Posted by abukafura

I exchanged correspondence with Reinhard Kornmeyer in 1997 regarding the meaning of these grip strap markings. He was of the opinion that they could NOT mean Garde Kurraisier Regt Satff because there were not that many pistols in the staff HQ of such a unit (mine is numbered 122). I am not endorsing his view, only repeating it. He cited references at the time which seemed to validate his point. Don Maus told me in a note in Auto Mag that he believed this marking was for Gendarmierie Korps of Hesse. Also, Reinhard also cited a third Luger with grip strap markings of G.K.100

Herman, I agree with Herr Kornmeyer that 122 seems like a mighty high weapon number for a regimental staff but I think that coincidence may play a strong hand in arguing that it is a Regimental staff marking.

Based on my collection of unit marked Lugers added to Jeff Noll's I detect a pattern of issue by unit type. I have dozens of cavalry unit marked Lugers dated 1910 recorded but no cavalry staff weapons recorded until 1913 and then only three, two DWM's to Uhlan regiments and one Erfurt sn 321a marked G.K.29.

The 1914 dated Lugers in my list include six staff marked pistols, three DWM and three Erfurts. Among the three Erfurts two a G.K. stamped, yours and the one shown above and their serial numbers are rather close(2224 and 2446) leading me to believe they were stamped in 1914.

Just playing the odds.

[klaus 3338]

Originally Posted by abukafura

I exchanged correspondence with Reinhard Kornmeyer in 1997 regarding the meaning of these grip strap markings. He was of the opinion that they could NOT mean Garde Kurraisier Regt Satff because there were not that many pistols in the staff HQ of such a unit (mine is numbered 122). I am not endorsing his view, only repeating it. He cited references at the time which seemed to validate his point. Don Maus told me in a note in Auto Mag that he believed this marking was for Gendarmierie Korps of Hesse. Also, Reinhard also cited a third Luger with grip strap markings of G.K.100

Interesting thread !
My English knowledge does not allow a long answer but you both are right: a staff of a cavalry regiment had in most cases only a few Lugers- in many cases only three (!). Even an infantry division’s commando has had only 50 (!) including "Divisionskommandeur, Feldintendatur, Divisions Proviantamt, Divisionsarzt, Feldjustizbeamte, Feld Divisionsgeistliche".

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by drbuster

If this luger was put into police service, the magazines could have been replacements with metal bottoms...the picture is too poor to tell.

SEE the FAQ for pictures of Sear safety's

Police lugers can have replacement aluminum bottomed magazines, but you also find them with wood and aluminum bases (see pg xxx Police Lugers, serial # 724 as an example...oh sorry, its not printed yet )

Anyway, you can find them both ways, or just wood or jsut aluminum, it all depends on if the magazines gave out, then they would be replaced.

But, I am sure that is a police sear safety that I see... (mostly likely your magaiznes have a #1 and #2 also on the base)

To take the best pictures, use plenty of light, even cheaper digitals can take decen pictures in in-direct lighting such as light shade or by a window, but the sun not glaring on them.


Ed