Luger Erfurt 1916

[Welsh72]

Folks new to the forum. I have always thought Lugers were cool and wanted one. Actually I surprised I have waited this long to get one. I have been offered one...pictures below. Bore is about 7/10. It is unit marked. Grips are not match but left one doesn't have the chip from the safety lever that most have. The firing pin is not numbered. Believe armorers replacement. I believe original finish. Small discreet export stamp Germany on frame. So maybe imported in 50s /60s. What would be a fair price for this and a good price? Range? I have looked on Gunbroker but they are all over the board....depending on finish etc etc. Want to be fair but don't want to pay 2 to 3 bennies more than I need to.

[HerrKaiser]

Nice unit mark. With the import mark, grip, and firing pin I would say based on the limited photos that the neighborhood of $1300-1400 or so would be a more than fair offer.

[Eugen]

I don't keep up with prices and don't know much, but that never stops from rendering an opinion.

I like the year and love the unit stamp, but frown on import stamps. Negotiate your best deal and buy it. I'd buy it for $1200.

For your first Luger buy one that you can shoot occasionally (I did say "occasionally") without fear of damaging a numbers matching Luger.

[Mac Cat]

The Regimental unit mark is in Jeff Noll's book, page 58

Armeekorps 18, Ersatz-Maschinengewehr-Kompagnie 4

Since Ersatz means replacement, I would guess it was a reserve machine-gun company.
No weapon number.

[Doubs]

Originally Posted by Mac Cat

Since Ersatz means replacement, I would guess it was a reserve machine-gun company. No weapon number.

Another common meaning for Ersatz is "substitute". When certain commodities became scarce in Germany during WW1, there was ersatz coffee, tobacco etc.made from other substances in an effort to replace the real thing.

[LU1900]

I have five other lugers with same regimental mark in my data
Very nice !

[GerColctor]

Doubs
Corrects as to the meaning of commondities, but in this instance I think that it is meant as more like "reserve".

Welsh72
Based upon the above reasons mentioned by Herr Kaiser this Luger is only going to be a "shooter", not a collectable, therefor the value is significantly compromised. It is unfortunate, as it is unit marked to a M.G. company which are desirable.
It was also made at the government arsenal at Erfurt, so the finishing of the surface is of a lesser quality in comparison to similar military contract DWMs.