First One - post and Pistole 08

[Gunfighter45]

Ok, camera is on the charger so pic's will follow soon. I've been digging through the forum looking to see if anyone else has seen what I have or something close to it. The Good : Appears that all parts are matching. Bore is clean. The Bad and the Ugly : the top of the chamber and the toggle link have been ground. no date or makers stamp visible. I have seen one other that had this type of treatment done to the toggle link. It belonged to my late Father-in-Law who brought the gun back in 1945. That one is dated 1918. Anyone see this before or can explain why it was done?
Thanks in advance, Mike

[Don M]

Mike, welcome to the forum. From the little information you have provided, you may have a blank toggle 29 DWM that has not been messed with. Photos would be most helpful in determining what you have. At the very minimum, please tell us the serial number and letter suffix on the front of the frame. A description of any markings on the right and left sides of the receiver would also be helpful.

[Gunfighter45]

Here's what I have....









hope these turn out right, still on the learner's permit with this machine.

[wlyon]

Not sure why but the date and manufacturer have been ground off. Is an Erfurt by the proofs. The serial number on the receiver has been force matched , at least the 44. Probably make a good shooter but not collectible. If you paid a shooter price should be fine. Welcome to the Forum. Bill

[alanint]

Buffed and re blued as well.

Good shooter.

[Gunfighter45]

Thanks men,
I paid $600 and it is a great shooter. Only the second one I've seen with the grinding treatment, just curious why it was done.

[wlyon]

Many times people removed the proofs etc. to remove any sign of German ownership. This was not uncommon following both World Wars. Also WaA's removed from holsters. I remember after WW2 in my small hometown a local restaurant owner putting a couple small captured German flags on the wall. He was a vet but still almost ran out of town. I am actually surprised that more luger were not buffed and ground on. Bill

[DavidJayUden]

A very strong anti-German sentiment in this country, particularly following WW1. People were changing their names, etc.
Just why that particular pistol was defiled is anybody's guess.
dju

[Arizona Slim]

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

A very strong anti-German sentiment in this country, particularly following WW1. People were changing their names, etc.
Just why that particular pistol was defiled is anybody's guess.
dju

Quite right David, my Great Grandfather changed his surname from VonStetten to Steht after WW1, still German but not recognized as German by most people.

Lon

[Norme]

I beg to differ with you guys, but the Erfurt logo and the dated chamber, both sure identifying features of a military gun, were almost certainly scrubbed in Germany, by a German. WW1, unlike WW2, ended with an armistice, not a surrender, and many German soldiers simply brought their weapons home with them. In 1920 they were ordered to turn them in to the new Weimar government, and many of these guns were altered in this way to disguise their military origins.
Regards, Norm

[Sergio Natali]

It's a nice Luger, no doubt an Erfurt frame I guess made around 1917-1918, buffed and reblued; have it properly checked by a professional gunsmith so you can use it at the range.

Sergio

[wlyon]

Norme
I still feel more were defaced in this country than Germany. Who knows? Bill