Krieghoff Plant#2

[John D.]

In total, Krieghoff had 14 plants at the end of the war, based in Germany, Belgium, Poland and Italy. However, I'm not sure what proof mark leads you to believe that your "36" (commonly referred to as a "double-diget 1936") came from "plant #2" (which would be Erffastrasse - in Suhl)? Honestly, I'm not aware of any acceptance stamps that either was used by HK or the Luftwaffe to designate various plants.


To that point - Luger manufacture from HK began in 1934 in their main plant at SUHL (commonly referred to as plant #1). By the end of 1937, records indicate that there were enough parts completed to provide a total of 13,580 completed Lugers - 9950 of those were shipped by year end 1937 - with another small run of 50 chamber dated "1938" to fulfill the original 10,000 contract.


However - to your point, based on all the reference material I have - all of those 10,000 were produced and finished at the main plant only.. Only later in the war - for commercial and limited wartime manufacture, is there some reason to believe that the blueing *may* have occurred in either one of the two other SUHL plants - but final inspection was still at the main plant. However - these pistols were produced from that initial raw parts production run at the main plant.


As to you Double-Digit 36 - very nice!!! It is estimated that there were 500 produced, and are somewhat rare, even for Kriegs. During 1936, HK produced the following variations - "S" (3 variations), "double-digit 36" (two variations), and "1936" Chamber date.


Hope this helps Steve - and please feel free to post some pics of the acceptance stamp that Costanzo book points to "plant #2. I'd be happy to compare it to any of my 1936 variations or take a look in my records for comparisons...


Best Always!


John