To shoot, or not to shoot my WW2 Luger - Page 3

mrerick · 10-12-2017, 05:52 PM

During the Weimar era, SImson of Suhl Germany was the only firm officially allowed to supply the 100,000 man army and the police agencies with Luger handguns. This was imposed by the Allies after they won WW-I.

Erfurt had been taken apart, and DWM was making 7.65mm commercial pistols (and some unofficial 9mm Lugers called "Sneaks"). The Erfurt tooling and gauges went to Simson.

The DWM line was not transferred to Mauser until the early 1930's. Mauser restarted military Luger production in 1934 with the "K" date pistols.

In 1933, the Nazi government seized control from the Weimar and the third age of German government started.

Simson was Jewish owned, and the Nazis were quick to take over and shut down their operations. The tooling and gauges were removed to Krieghoff where Lugers were made for airforce use.

So... Simson was unique in history, and have a very short run during their operations. Perhaps 8-9 years (1925-1933) and just over 1,000 Lugers per year.

Puretexan · 10-12-2017, 11:21 PM

So the uniqueness is not because they are built better, but just less made?

kurusu · 10-13-2017, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puretexan

So the uniqueness is not because they are built better, but just less made?

Basically yes.

All Lugers were well made. What brings the prices way up besides the obvious original condition is the scarcity of the variety or contract.

cirelaw · 10-12-2017, 11:30 PM

Marc, Brilliant history lesson!!

cirelaw · 10-12-2017, 11:59 PM

Next I would have purchased a Simson except the boss cut me off a 21~ I wonder if leather goods are included?

mrerick · 10-13-2017, 11:11 AM

The Simson made Lugers are quite rare because of the small number made with probably under 10% surviving. Since the last one was made well before WW-II, any in service would have been used during the entire conflict making loss in service a higher probability than, say, a "42" date Mauser Luger or a later war P.38 pistol.

As I mentioned earlier, the number known to collectors (thank's to Ed's work) is just a few hundred.

DWM and Erfurt Lugers surviving WW-II were also subject to such losses, but were made in much greater numbers.

While also very well made, they also display a unique characteristic. Almost every part that can be marked has been military accepted with a die stamp, right down to the grip screws.

So - if you're trying to keep an all matching Simson Luger that way, loss of almost any part is very difficult to replace. There are not many spares in circulation.

Marc

10-12-2017, 05:52 PM	#1
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,139 Times in 1,520 Posts	During the Weimar era, SImson of Suhl Germany was the only firm officially allowed to supply the 100,000 man army and the police agencies with Luger handguns. This was imposed by the Allies after they won WW-I. Erfurt had been taken apart, and DWM was making 7.65mm commercial pistols (and some unofficial 9mm Lugers called "Sneaks"). The Erfurt tooling and gauges went to Simson. The DWM line was not transferred to Mauser until the early 1930's. Mauser restarted military Luger production in 1934 with the "K" date pistols. In 1933, the Nazi government seized control from the Weimar and the third age of German government started. Simson was Jewish owned, and the Nazis were quick to take over and shut down their operations. The tooling and gauges were removed to Krieghoff where Lugers were made for airforce use. So... Simson was unique in history, and have a very short run during their operations. Perhaps 8-9 years (1925-1933) and just over 1,000 Lugers per year. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-13-2017, 11:11 AM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,139 Times in 1,520 Posts	The Simson made Lugers are quite rare because of the small number made with probably under 10% surviving. Since the last one was made well before WW-II, any in service would have been used during the entire conflict making loss in service a higher probability than, say, a "42" date Mauser Luger or a later war P.38 pistol. As I mentioned earlier, the number known to collectors (thank's to Ed's work) is just a few hundred. DWM and Erfurt Lugers surviving WW-II were also subject to such losses, but were made in much greater numbers. While also very well made, they also display a unique characteristic. Almost every part that can be marked has been military accepted with a die stamp, right down to the grip screws. So - if you're trying to keep an all matching Simson Luger that way, loss of almost any part is very difficult to replace. There are not many spares in circulation. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

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10-12-2017, 11:21 PM	#2
Puretexan User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Pearland Texas Posts: 176 Thanks: 11 Thanked 70 Times in 36 Posts	So the uniqueness is not because they are built better, but just less made?

10-12-2017, 11:30 PM	#4
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,138 Times in 2,176 Posts	Marc, Brilliant history lesson!!

10-12-2017, 11:59 PM	#5
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,138 Times in 2,176 Posts	Next I would have purchased a Simson except the boss cut me off a 21~ I wonder if leather goods are included?