1918 Erfurt Luger, my 1st one, my first post

Danscudas · 12-29-2013, 07:25 PM

Not sure what the rules are here and if I don't do this correctly sorry ahead of time. Read for a long time last night and am very impressed with the people and knowledge that they share here.

I picked this up and gave to my wife for Christmas. Know very little about these guns and am wondering if I did OK with this purchase.

Thank you! Dan

Norme · 12-29-2013, 08:26 PM

Hi Dan, Welcome to the forum! Your new Luger looks like it's in original condition, and if all the parts have matching numbers it's a very nice example of a 1918 Erfurt.
Regards, Norm

Danscudas · 12-29-2013, 09:11 PM

Thanks Norm they all match but did not take apart to see if interior one(s?) do also. The magazine does not. So was is this a WW1 Military weapon? Any way of looking up history or build date or other information?

Maestro · 12-29-2013, 10:51 PM

are you really giving this to your wife?

welcome

According to Jan Still, 1918 Erfurt Lugers are reported in the observed low serial number of 304 to observed high serial number of 7538t and were manufactured with hold-open, stock lug, and relieved sear bar. Almost all have the receiver cut for the artillery rear sight. Inspection marks were stamped on all parts except springs. They all have three acceptance stamps on the right receiver. Estimated production: 175,000. One with 90% bluing is around $1,500.

DavidJayUden · 12-29-2013, 10:56 PM

Definitely a WW1 military weapon. If it bears no unit markings it is pretty tough to determine just where it has been. Other than "around"...
dju

Danscudas · 12-30-2013, 11:15 PM

Dave where would the unit markings be? Serial number is 8046 with nothing else after the 6.

Maestro yes gave to my wife, but is a "family heirloom" to be enjoyed by all and passed down to generations after me. Does mine have receiver cut for artillery rear sight? Where is that? It looks like mine has 4 inspection(?) marks on the right receiver.

Has no pitting and at least 90% all original bluing and appears to be all no restorations, and paid $975 for it. So sounds like I did well there.

Have wanted one of these since I was "knee high to a grasshopper" and have lots of rifles, shotguns, and pistols but have to at least look at this one every day!

DavidJayUden · 12-30-2013, 11:47 PM

Unit markings are usually largly (and crudely) stanped on the front grip strap. Suffice it to say that if you haven't noticed them so far, they aren't there. our 1918 gun may have missed the unit marking days.
dju

12-29-2013, 07:25 PM	#1
Danscudas User Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 7 Thanks: 9 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	1918 Erfurt Luger, my 1st one, my first post Not sure what the rules are here and if I don't do this correctly sorry ahead of time. Read for a long time last night and am very impressed with the people and knowledge that they share here. I picked this up and gave to my wife for Christmas. Know very little about these guns and am wondering if I did OK with this purchase. Thank you! Dan Attached Thumbnails

12-30-2013, 11:15 PM	#6
Danscudas User Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 7 Thanks: 9 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Norm, Dave and Maestro! Dave where would the unit markings be? Serial number is 8046 with nothing else after the 6. Maestro yes gave to my wife, but is a "family heirloom" to be enjoyed by all and passed down to generations after me. Does mine have receiver cut for artillery rear sight? Where is that? It looks like mine has 4 inspection(?) marks on the right receiver. Has no pitting and at least 90% all original bluing and appears to be all no restorations, and paid $975 for it. So sounds like I did well there. Have wanted one of these since I was "knee high to a grasshopper" and have lots of rifles, shotguns, and pistols but have to at least look at this one every day!

12-29-2013, 08:26 PM	#2
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Dan, Welcome to the forum! Your new Luger looks like it's in original condition, and if all the parts have matching numbers it's a very nice example of a 1918 Erfurt. Regards, Norm

12-29-2013, 09:11 PM	#3
Danscudas User Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 7 Thanks: 9 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Norm they all match but did not take apart to see if interior one(s?) do also. The magazine does not. So was is this a WW1 Military weapon? Any way of looking up history or build date or other information?

12-29-2013, 10:51 PM	#4
Maestro User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: "Where the streets have no names" Posts: 504 Thanks: 192 Thanked 200 Times in 136 Posts	are you really giving this to your wife? welcome According to Jan Still, 1918 Erfurt Lugers are reported in the observed low serial number of 304 to observed high serial number of 7538t and were manufactured with hold-open, stock lug, and relieved sear bar. Almost all have the receiver cut for the artillery rear sight. Inspection marks were stamped on all parts except springs. They all have three acceptance stamps on the right receiver. Estimated production: 175,000. One with 90% bluing is around $1,500.

12-29-2013, 10:56 PM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Definitely a WW1 military weapon. If it bears no unit markings it is pretty tough to determine just where it has been. Other than "around"... dju

12-30-2013, 11:47 PM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Unit markings are usually largly (and crudely) stanped on the front grip strap. Suffice it to say that if you haven't noticed them so far, they aren't there. our 1918 gun may have missed the unit marking days. dju