Best Fit and Finish Luger Manufacturer?

[Ron Wood]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

One word: Krieghoff

While Krieghoffs are beautifully finished, I have to disagree. The fit and finish of the elegant early Lugers made by DWM, the M1900 and to a slightly lesser extent the M1906, remain some of the finest finishes ever on a production handgun. The 1906 W+F Bern Lugers produced by the Swiss were equally well made.

The subject of metallurgy is another matter. There is no question that the materials used in WWII Luger production benefited from the advances in steel production and machining.

[guns3545]

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

While Krieghoffs are beautifully finished, I have to disagree. The fit and finish of the elegant early Lugers made by DWM, the M1900 and to a slightly lesser extent the M1906, remain some of the finest finishes ever on a production handgun. The 1906 W+F Bern Lugers produced by the Swiss were equally well made.

The subject of metallurgy is another matter. There is no question that the materials used in WWII Luger production benefited from the advances in steel production and machining.

I have to agree with Ron and it pains me slightly because I am an avid Krieghoff collector.

But... when I really want to enjoy what I believe to be the pinnacle of production gunsmithing, I reach into the safe and look at my 1900s. They are beautifully finished and they are also simply beautiful. So my vote goes to early DWM commercial production. Later war time production; not so very much.

The HKs on the other hand are the standard Model P.08 but well finished. Extremely well finished when compared to Mauser, Erfurt and Simson. And, of course probably more durable for the purpose for which they were intended due to better metallurgy and machining techniques.

As always, JMVHO