New Guy with 1918 Erfurt Luger

[Doubs]

Refab60, your Luger has been rechambered in 9x21mm. I assume it's because Italy doesn't allow civilians to own 9x19mm pistols. It has clearly gone through an Italian proof house as the proof marks show.

In general, Lugers are very accurate so I don't know why yours is not. Have you tried shooting it from a rest to eliminate human error? Lugers made in 1918 would have been zeroed at 50 meters with a 123 grain bullet at approximately 332 meters per second.

[refab60]

Hi @Doubs, you are right, as usual!
All guns in 9 luger had to be rechambered in 9x21 because of a law of 1975 made all military calibers forbidden for civilians (also 30-06 e.g.). So all the collectors had to rape the chamebers or hand over the guns to Police.
We have to wait until feb 2022 to have 9x19 free again.
What about the 7229 in the frame? Any other info about the punches?
"Lugers made in 1918 would have been zeroed at 50 meters"
Are you sure about this? I assume this kinds of weapon were made for short distances, 15 meters or few more 'cause the short barrel, and zeroed at 25.
Anyway I'll follow your tip, thanks.

[Doubs]

Originally Posted by refab60

Hi @Doubs, you are right, as usual!
All guns in 9 luger had to be rechambered in 9x21 because of a law of 1975 made all military calibers forbidden for civilians (also 30-06 e.g.). So all the collectors had to rape the chamebers or hand over the guns to Police.
We have to wait until feb 2022 to have 9x19 free again.
What about the 7229 in the frame? Any other info about the punches?
"Lugers made in 1918 would have been zeroed at 50 meters"
Are you sure about this? I assume this kinds of weapon were made for short distances, 15 meters or few more 'cause the short barrel, and zeroed at 25.
Anyway I'll follow your tip, thanks.

The 7229 on the frame is a mystery and I don't know why it's there or what it means.

Handguns are by their very nature generally considered short range arms. So it's interesting that the first Lugers made from 1909 until May, 1913, were zeroed between 80 and 110 meters. They were also made without the hold open that keeps the action open after the last shot. On 6 May, 1913, a military directive went out that all newly made Lugers would have the hold open. On 24 May, 1913, it was also determined that "point blank range" or zero should be 50 meters. Lugers made earlier without the hold open could be returned to the Erfurt Royal Rifle Factory to be modified with the hold open and also have the front sight replaced to bring zero to 50 meters. Newly manufactured Lugers would also be zeroed at 50 meters and have the hold open. Some of the early Lugers were thus modified but the war in 1914 didn't allow for all of them to be returned.

[JLD1504]

As a Brit sometime resident in Italy and who owns a 1920 DWM P08 re-chambered in 9x21 I can offer the following thoughts.

From the photos the barrel looks original it has just been re-chambered from 9x19 to 9x21 and Gardone proof marks added. I might guess the additional number is possibly a sequence number of chamber conversions proof tests?

It is interesting that you report this pistol is 'wildly inaccurate' - mine is as accurate as other P08 I own and comfortably holds the 9 ring (10cm) on an ISSF Olympic target at 25m. There are some variables worth looking at perhaps to identify the issue of the reported inaccuracy. Firstly check the barrel condition and 'crown' of the barrel (at the muzzle) - any signs of significant wear and/or damage at the crown? any leading of the barrel or has it only fired jacketed ammunition....? Clean the chamber and barrel carefully and thoroughly to remove lead (if any).

If all looks good including the chamber - do the 'drop test' - separate the frame and receiver/barrel - hold the barrel vertically chamber up and place a 9x21 round bullet into the chamber entrance and let it drop in under gravity (its own weight alone). What happens? Does it chamber completely or not - if not then remove the cartridge examine, clean the chamber and/or try different cartridges until this test works! For safety reasons DO NOT attempt this test with an assembled pistol!

If this test works then, you should consider the ammunition you are using. My recent experience with Fiocchi 9x21 115gr in Italy is not good and groups are not great, nor as good as previously. I would suggest you try a selection of different batches or ammunition from friends including reloads to see if the accuracy improves? I would suggest you use jacketed 115gr bullets initially not lead bullets. With any new pistol shoot the pistol rested either from a rest or bag type rest - I would suggest you start and shoot at 10m if your TSN Poligono allows that? At 10m rested you should achieve a 20-30mm group or better rested. There is no need to shoot at 25m until you are certain about the accuracy of the pistol.
Let us know how you get on doing the above....

[refab60]

Hi!
I'm looking around for a new Luger, I found thi one in a gunshop but I'm puzzled aboutt the gun.
The owner said it had been refurbished in 1998 by Mauser factory but I can't see stamps on it.
look at this photos, let me know your opinions