Erfurt 1911 - My first Luger

bchamorro · 05-23-2008, 07:13 PM

Hi, I am new here and I just bought my first Luger (Erfurt from 1911). I bought it for $650 from a retired army general in Nicaragua.

I've wanted a Luger all my life. I don't know much of their production history. Can you guys tell me if I scored a great one? The gun appears to have all matching parts.

Sorry for the crappy pics (I didn't take them).

bchamorro · 05-23-2008, 07:18 PM

The person who I bought it from also says he has another Luger from 1936, but it has a LOT of use. He said that I could also take that one if I am not satisfied with the Erfurt.

Should I keep the Erfurt?

bchamorro · 05-23-2008, 07:18 PM

more of the Erfurt:

Edward Tinker · 05-23-2008, 07:22 PM

welcome to the forum. Please put pictures directly onto the forum.

More information is needed; does it have all matching parts, internal also? magazine is wrong, should be wood, but that is not a big deal.

There were less than 10,000 1911 erfurts made.

ed

bchamorro · 05-23-2008, 07:32 PM

sorry about that, next time I will post directly.

The thing is that this Erfurt and the other 1936 Luger this person has are probably the only Lugers I will be able to buy in my life. There are no Lugers in Nicaragua, with the exception of these two. I don't know how he got them, probably because he was an army general and had some kind of connection.

I don't have any more info on the Erfurt right now and I can't take pics because I am away from home. I will try to contact him about the 1936 Luger, but he once told me that the Erfurt is in better condition.

Edward Tinker · 05-23-2008, 07:36 PM

The price is close to what you'd pay for a "shooter" luger in the USa, if not paying more here.

I think no matter what you did well. I'd rather have the 1911 than the 1936, but if you can get both?

ed

bchamorro · 05-23-2008, 07:43 PM

I might be able to get both. I am going to wait for the pics he is going to send me in a few days.

Any reason why you would have the 1911 Erfurt than the unknown 1936?

Edward Tinker · 05-23-2008, 07:54 PM

I like pre WW2 stuff, also the 1911 is most likely more rare.

I don't have my books here; but I bet there were a lot more 1936's made...

George Anderson · 05-23-2008, 08:05 PM

Barney, are there any markings on the front grip strap? What is the serial number?
Thanks, George

bchamorro · 05-23-2008, 08:07 PM

Hey George,
I don't remember the serial number, but I think there are markings on the front grip strap and there are actually markings all over the gun.

I am away from home right now and I can't look at it, but as soon as I get back I will update this thread with really goods pics.

wdavid431 · 05-24-2008, 08:44 AM

In my opinion you did great on the 1911 Erfurt. They are rare and very desirable pistols. The one you have looks to be in good shape, plus it is matching (as much as I can tell). The Erfurt's value is about twice what you paid.
Further, If I were you I would also try to get the 1936 Luger. They are not making any more and they are getting far and few between. Even if the 1936 is not in that good a shape, or it is just a shooter not a collectable, it is still a Luger. If as you say not many Lugers where you are, you may never get a chance to buy another.

Vlim · 05-24-2008, 09:15 AM

The pistol shows some signs of East-German reworking, although more detailed descriptions (like barrel markings) will be needed. If it was a DDR rework, this might explain how the pistol ended up in Nicaragua, as DDR surplus was regularly used to supply countries in need of not-too-obvious Eastern-Block military support.

It just adds to an interesting history. This pistol saw service before WW1, during WW1, in the Weimar era, during WW2 and after WW2 and made a journey though the most important conflicts of the last century.

I'd try to get both guns

Lugerdoc · 05-24-2008, 09:34 AM

I agree with GvG, that the barrel band & front sight base don't appear to be of Erfurt mfg. But as stated above, even good "shooter" PO8 are selling here in the $650 range. TH

John Sabato · 05-24-2008, 11:40 PM

The barrel is an East German replacement in my opinion, but that just means that it will last longer since it is newer than the pistol. I think you got it for great price. The magazine, while not the correct type for an erfurt Luger, is an FXO extruded steel type that were made during WW2 and afterward by the East Germans (if post war it should be marked with 1001) and that is the best type ever made and it will last a lifetime if kept clean and you don't damage it.

whcoyote · 05-30-2008, 09:12 PM

Bchamorro:
If this pistol has been all the places it seems to have been, where in the world could you buy more history and intrigue for $650? You could spend a lifetime looking into the history of all the conflicts this piece served in.
Bob

Ron Wood · 05-30-2008, 09:25 PM

whcoyote,

Amen.

05-23-2008, 07:13 PM	#1
bchamorro User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Managua, Nicaragua Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Erfurt 1911 - My first Luger Hi, I am new here and I just bought my first Luger (Erfurt from 1911). I bought it for $650 from a retired army general in Nicaragua. I've wanted a Luger all my life. I don't know much of their production history. Can you guys tell me if I scored a great one? The gun appears to have all matching parts. Sorry for the crappy pics (I didn't take them).

05-23-2008, 07:22 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	welcome to the forum. Please put pictures directly onto the forum. More information is needed; does it have all matching parts, internal also? magazine is wrong, should be wood, but that is not a big deal. There were less than 10,000 1911 erfurts made. ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

05-23-2008, 07:36 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	The price is close to what you'd pay for a "shooter" luger in the USa, if not paying more here. I think no matter what you did well. I'd rather have the 1911 than the 1936, but if you can get both? ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

05-23-2008, 07:54 PM	#8
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	I like pre WW2 stuff, also the 1911 is most likely more rare. I don't have my books here; but I bet there were a lot more 1936's made... __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

05-24-2008, 08:44 AM	#11
wdavid431 User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 135 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	In my opinion you did great on the 1911 Erfurt. They are rare and very desirable pistols. The one you have looks to be in good shape, plus it is matching (as much as I can tell). The Erfurt's value is about twice what you paid. Further, If I were you I would also try to get the 1936 Luger. They are not making any more and they are getting far and few between. Even if the 1936 is not in that good a shape, or it is just a shooter not a collectable, it is still a Luger. If as you say not many Lugers where you are, you may never get a chance to buy another. __________________ W David

05-23-2008, 07:18 PM	#2
bchamorro User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Managua, Nicaragua Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The person who I bought it from also says he has another Luger from 1936, but it has a LOT of use. He said that I could also take that one if I am not satisfied with the Erfurt. Should I keep the Erfurt?

05-23-2008, 07:32 PM	#5
bchamorro User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Managua, Nicaragua Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	sorry about that, next time I will post directly. The thing is that this Erfurt and the other 1936 Luger this person has are probably the only Lugers I will be able to buy in my life. There are no Lugers in Nicaragua, with the exception of these two. I don't know how he got them, probably because he was an army general and had some kind of connection. I don't have any more info on the Erfurt right now and I can't take pics because I am away from home. I will try to contact him about the 1936 Luger, but he once told me that the Erfurt is in better condition.

05-23-2008, 07:43 PM	#7
bchamorro User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Managua, Nicaragua Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I might be able to get both. I am going to wait for the pics he is going to send me in a few days. Any reason why you would have the 1911 Erfurt than the unknown 1936?

05-23-2008, 08:05 PM	#9
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,528 Times in 787 Posts	Barney, are there any markings on the front grip strap? What is the serial number? Thanks, George

05-23-2008, 08:07 PM	#10
bchamorro User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Managua, Nicaragua Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hey George, I don't remember the serial number, but I think there are markings on the front grip strap and there are actually markings all over the gun. I am away from home right now and I can't look at it, but as soon as I get back I will update this thread with really goods pics.

05-24-2008, 09:15 AM	#12
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	The pistol shows some signs of East-German reworking, although more detailed descriptions (like barrel markings) will be needed. If it was a DDR rework, this might explain how the pistol ended up in Nicaragua, as DDR surplus was regularly used to supply countries in need of not-too-obvious Eastern-Block military support. It just adds to an interesting history. This pistol saw service before WW1, during WW1, in the Weimar era, during WW2 and after WW2 and made a journey though the most important conflicts of the last century. I'd try to get both guns

05-24-2008, 09:34 AM	#13
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	I agree with GvG, that the barrel band & front sight base don't appear to be of Erfurt mfg. But as stated above, even good "shooter" PO8 are selling here in the $650 range. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

05-24-2008, 11:40 PM	#14
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	The barrel is an East German replacement in my opinion, but that just means that it will last longer since it is newer than the pistol. I think you got it for great price. The magazine, while not the correct type for an erfurt Luger, is an FXO extruded steel type that were made during WW2 and afterward by the East Germans (if post war it should be marked with 1001) and that is the best type ever made and it will last a lifetime if kept clean and you don't damage it. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

05-30-2008, 09:12 PM	#15
whcoyote User Join Date: May 2008 Location: SW Virginia Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Bchamorro: If this pistol has been all the places it seems to have been, where in the world could you buy more history and intrigue for $650? You could spend a lifetime looking into the history of all the conflicts this piece served in. Bob

05-30-2008, 09:25 PM	#16
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: 7,016 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 5,162 Times in 1,699 Posts	whcoyote, Amen. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction