1914 Erfurt L P08 low serial

[DonVoigt]

[QUOTE=mrerick;321753]Patrick,

If you look closely at your third and fourth pictures you'll see that there is a groove where the frame's serial number is normally placed.

Compare this to the flat and square appearance of this surface on the ser no. 3 pistol.

It's unusual. Is that seen on other Erfurts of this period?[
NO/QUOTE]

I believe the front of the frame was "faced off" and a new number applied to create a "forced" match. The "130" is offset, and that is also not "normal". JMHO.

[patsy57]

[QUOTE=DonVoigt;321754]

Originally Posted by mrerick

Patrick,

If you look closely at your third and fourth pictures you'll see that there is a groove where the frame's serial number is normally placed.

Compare this to the flat and square appearance of this surface on the ser no. 3 pistol.

It's unusual. Is that seen on other Erfurts of this period?[
NO/QUOTE]

I believe the front of the frame was "faced off" and a new number applied to create a "forced" match. The "130" is offset, and that is also not "normal". JMHO.

Interesting I wonder if this was done at the factory? Reworked maybe after the war? This came from a descendant of the vet who brought it back.

I will post clearer pictures of the frame Serial this evening. Are their any other areas I should focus on?

[Bill_in_VA]

[QUOTE=patsy57;321755]

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Interesting I wonder if this was done at the factory? Reworked maybe after the war? This came from a descendant of the vet who brought it back.

I will post clearer pictures of the frame Serial this evening. Are their any other areas I should focus on?

In addition to the concerns already noted, I notice the gun is "Germany" marked on the rear of the frame. IIRC, this was applied post-WWI for guns destined for export to the US. I have a 1915 DWM that's also marked "Germany", albeit in a different location.) I'm no RKI by any stretch of the imagination, but in light of the "Germany" marking I'd be suspect of the story that the gun was captured.

[patsy57]

[QUOTE=Bill_in_VA;321756]

Originally Posted by patsy57

In addition to the concerns already noted, I notice the gun is "Germany" marked on the rear of the frame. IIRC, this was applied post-WWI for guns destined for export to the US. I have a 1915 DWM that's also marked "Germany", albeit in a different location.) I'm no RKI by any stretch of the imagination, but in light of the "Germany" marking I'd be suspect of the story that the gun was captured.

This is very interesting... this is the stuff That perplexes me.

Question are their any examples of the stamps on this gun being on other examples marked Germany from 1914?