Question about 1911 Luger

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

All hold open retrofit on both DWM and Erfurt Lugers was done by Erfurt. The only other option would be a private gunsmith. As Norm stated, appears clear that this gun does not have a hold open.

By the way Dan, that is a beautiful Luger. Are the photos of your gun or the one you found on line?

Of course you and Norm are correct; unfortunately I learned a long time ago to avoid using all, always, and never.

When I use "absolutes" I always get in trouble; perhaps it is the twisted history I have with analysing Japanese rifles and pistols, nothing is ever cast in stone with them for sure. So I always try to remember to "hedge" by using "likely or usually, etc.

I don't understand why the OP seems to be afraid to open up the pistol and confirm or just see where the hold open would be.
It is indeed a great looker, but as you point out, he may not have it in hand.

[John Sabato]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

...but CRS is causing me all kinds of problems...

CRS? Congressional Research Service ?

[DavidJayUden]

So do just the retrofitted guns show the pin hole, and also do all the retrofitted guns have the Erfurt inspection mark near the pin hole?
dju

[alanint]

Every one I ever saw did.

[Ron Wood]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

CRS? Congressional Research Service ?

CRS=Can't Remember "Stuff"

[Sergio Natali]

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

So do just the retrofitted guns show the pin hole, and also do all the retrofitted guns have the Erfurt inspection mark near the pin hole?
dju

Correct.


Sergio

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

So do just the retrofitted guns show the pin hole...

No. All Lugers with the hold-open will have the pin hole, but the factory assembled/finished Lugers are so well done that you really have to tilt the frame this way and that under a strong light to make it out...It helps if you take it apart and eyeball where the pin goes through and then look under a magnifying glass to see it.

There is no other way to drill the hole; the opposite frame rail is in the way of drilling a blind hole.

...and also do all the retrofitted guns have the Erfurt inspection mark near the pin hole?
dju

As commented above, they all should have the Erfurt mark if they were retro-fitted...

Here's a good example of a pin hole in hiding...The top pic is taken straight-on; the bottom pic is with the frame tipped up...Both the same frame, but the hole only shows up if you know where it is...

I'm starting to remember all this now...

[quietman123]

Thanks to all who have help me to get an answer. First Ron, yes pistol shown is mine. The other I reference was also in similar condition. I also appreciate the patience and effort to not only explain but photograph where the pin would be. Frankly, I would never have seen it if it were there. Whereas I really like Lugers and have a few, I am not very knowledgeable with the critical detail as to how they function. Per post 27, I can confirm this pistol has not had a hold-open pin installed. So I conclude the slide will not stay open and that is proper as manufactured. I really enjoyed this thread. Dan

[quietman123]

Don, I was not reluctant to open the slide to see what was going on. From initial posts I was still not able to understand what I was looking for to make that determination. Also, I was away from my computer since yesterday. It didn't really come clear until I saw photos in post 27. Me thinks I am not a quick study. Thanks for your help.

[sheepherder]

Here's a pic of the holdopen installed, removed, and removed/tilted...You can see the pin better from the inside...

[tomaustin]

no no no....

it is Batter #3, top of the second, 1 out, batter's average is .237...

now i get it........

[quietman123]

Thanks Sheepherder. Great photos. I appreciate it.

[Balder]

Unmodified DWM 1911 on the left, compared to a 1918 Erfurt with the hold-open.

Balder

[quietman123]

Thanks Balder. Very helpful. My pistol has definitely not been modified. This is a very friendly and accommodating forum.
Dan

[quietman123]

Failed to answer one question. Magazine is not matching.

[Balder]

Dan,

My pleasure. Congratulations on your immaculate Luger, amazing condition! As for this forum, you will not find a friendlier or more knowledgeable gun forum on the Net. I've been hanging around here since 2003 and learned a lot from the experts.

Some fun facts on the two Lugers in my picture above. They were both brought to Norway by SOE agents during WW2. The Brits used war booty from WW1 to equip clandestine operations in German-occupied Europe, due to weapons shortage.

Balder

[Karl]

Unit mark is:
Bay. 3. Train-Batl., Sanitätskompanie Nr.1, Waffe 237.
KFS

[sheepherder]

Just for S&G, here's what your Erfurt inspection/acceptance mark should look like...

[Sergio Natali]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

No. All Lugers with the hold-open will have the pin hole, but the factory assembled/finished Lugers are so well done that you really have to tilt the frame this way and that under a strong light to make it out...It helps if you take it apart and eyeball where the pin goes through and then look under a magnifying glass to see it.

There is no other way to drill the hole; the opposite frame rail is in the way of drilling a blind hole.



As commented above, they all should have the Erfurt mark if they were retro-fitted...

Here's a good example of a pin hole in hiding...The top pic is taken straight-on; the bottom pic is with the frame tipped up...Both the same frame, but the hole only shows up if you know where it is...

I'm starting to remember all this now...

Not to harp on the same string BUT herebelow I enclose some pictures of a nice 1911 DWM reworked (I assume by Mauser though) with the pin quite visible.

All the best


Sergio

[quietman123]

Thanks Karl and Sergio. Interesting.