1914 Erfurt stock markings

Ron Wood · 12-13-2018, 01:19 AM

Jerry,
You are most likely 100% correct, you usually are, but I am a bit inclined to give this one the benefit of the doubt and give it a second look. Even though the stock is very dark walnut, the slots for the shoulder strap appear like they might be chamfered on both sides like a repro (I'm not sure they are), and the stock iron screws most likely are replacements, there is a bit of logic to the markings. The markings are non-standard but they do fit the format described by Görtz and Bryans for 4th Artillery Regiment, 5th Battery, weapon #32, and the weapon inventory number 32 is matched on the gun in the same style. The 1920 property mark and strange other undecipherable mark where the crown/fraktur letter would be are a puzzle, but I am not quite ready to throw the baby out with the bath water.
Respectfully,
Ron

P.S. I haven't heard of "Smokey Stover" in years...Rob must be nearly as old as I am!

12-13-2018, 01:19 AM	#6
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,051 Thanks: 1,120 Thanked 5,287 Times in 1,728 Posts	Jerry, You are most likely 100% correct, you usually are, but I am a bit inclined to give this one the benefit of the doubt and give it a second look. Even though the stock is very dark walnut, the slots for the shoulder strap appear like they might be chamfered on both sides like a repro (I'm not sure they are), and the stock iron screws most likely are replacements, there is a bit of logic to the markings. The markings are non-standard but they do fit the format described by Görtz and Bryans for 4th Artillery Regiment, 5th Battery, weapon #32, and the weapon inventory number 32 is matched on the gun in the same style. The 1920 property mark and strange other undecipherable mark where the crown/fraktur letter would be are a puzzle, but I am not quite ready to throw the baby out with the bath water. Respectfully, Ron P.S. I haven't heard of "Smokey Stover" in years...Rob must be nearly as old as I am! __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction