To shoot, or not to shoot my WW2 Luger

[mrerick]

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.