1914 Erfurt Luger – Unusual details

bluesbreaker · 04-12-2020, 09:04 PM

Greetings from Brazil!

I came across this 1914 Erfurt and would be glad if you guys could help!

I noted some unusual details in this pistol (probably refinished) in comparison with the ones I found researching and another 1917 Erfurt that I own.

I've measured the bore and the barrel is apparently 9mm. There is no “step” on the chamber that would indicate .30 Luger, but apparently this barrel is not original to the gun.

Also, I have never seen this type of magazine. 9mm ammo does not fit in this magazine, it is tight.

The magazine from the other Erfurt Luger does not seem to fit properly in this one in the sense that the insertion is not “smooth” and it gives resistance to fully insert it (I decided not to force it).

May you guys please shine a light on this, if possible?

Thanks!

DavidJayUden · 04-12-2020, 10:02 PM

Yes; refinished, rebarrelled, and the magazine is either home-made or from another pistol.
dju

HerrKaiser · 04-12-2020, 11:07 PM

Agreed with the above. Your pistol is also a former Erfurt LP.08 as it has the artillery sight notch.

Doubs · 04-13-2020, 02:43 AM

The underside of the breech block is certainly unusual. Compare it to the picture below.

The barrel is a replacement and, as already pointed out, the pistol was originally an Artillery Luger.

The pistol has been refinished.

I've never seen a magazine quite like that but it's obviously home made.

Doubs · 04-13-2020, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlyon

Most Erfurts from sometime in 1916 on have the artillery type sight notch. Bill

The order came down in August, 1916, IIRC. However, in 1914 the only Erfurts with a notched receiver were Artillery models.

wlyon · 04-13-2020, 02:47 AM

Doubs
Your correct . For some reason all I was thinking 1916. Old age is hell. Bill

DonVoigt · 04-13-2020, 10:18 AM

Well, looks like the breech block is "homemade" too.

The "notch" on the receiver has been altered(by filing it appears) as it is too wide/deep; it may
have been an artillery receiver or it may not. The alteration makes it impossible to say for sure, but it really does not matter to this modified luger. JMHO.

It is a good example of local "ingenuity" to make something work that was missing a couple main pieces. Very interesting.

aldo35 · 04-13-2020, 03:41 PM

The breach block looks like it has the characteristic missing piece next to the extractor,left side looking from rear.

gunbugs · 04-13-2020, 06:58 PM

I think the breech block is original, but has been "cut down" on the bottom. Perhaps to work with or clear the blacksmith magazine. The top side certainly looks good, barring the broker extractor notch.

gill120 · 04-14-2020, 02:04 PM

In my opinion from the pictures supplied. The breech block has had a piece soldered to the bottom of it, perhaps to properly feed with the home made magazine pictured with it.

John Sabato · 04-14-2020, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlyon

Doubs
Your correct . For some reason all I was thinking 1916. Old age is hell. Bill

Bill my friend, AMEN! ... to quote the title of a humorous book my wife and I enjoy reading, "Old age ain't for Wimps!"

Doubs · 04-14-2020, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gill120

In my opinion from the pictures supplied. The breech block has had a piece soldered to the bottom of it, perhaps to properly feed with the home made magazine pictured with it.

That is also what I think. The magazine may be a little short so to pick up the next cartridge, the bottom of the breech block was deepened.

Doubs · 04-14-2020, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlyon

Doubs, Your correct . For some reason all I was thinking 1916. Old age is hell. Bill

Believe me when I say I know exactly what you mean. For me getting "lucky" is remembering what I entered the room for. LOL

John Sabato · 04-14-2020, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunbugs

I think the breech block is original, but has been "cut down" on the bottom. Perhaps to work with or clear the blacksmith magazine. The top side certainly looks good, barring the broker extractor notch.

I concur, the magazine looks like one of those early hand made Mexican "quality" mags to me. I have never seen one quite like it either! (and hope I never do again... would somebody pass the eye bleach please.)

gunbugs · 04-14-2020, 08:25 PM

Well, the photos show I was upside down on that one. The block wasn't cut down, it was built up. With a brazed on piece added to the bottom. And to think all it needed was a good magazine....

ithacaartist · 04-15-2020, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunbugs

Well, the photos show I was upside down on that one. The block wasn't cut down, it was built up. With a brazed on piece added to the bottom. And to think all it needed was a good magazine....

Seems as if that could be removed fairly easily. It's not as if you're gonna hurt any tempering it ever had. The price of a Mec-Gar is a pretty cheap fix!

bluesbreaker · 04-17-2020, 10:03 AM

Thank you all for the precious feedback and assessment!

04-12-2020, 09:04 PM	#1
bluesbreaker New User Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 2 Thanks: 15 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	1914 Erfurt Luger – Unusual details Greetings from Brazil! I came across this 1914 Erfurt and would be glad if you guys could help! I noted some unusual details in this pistol (probably refinished) in comparison with the ones I found researching and another 1917 Erfurt that I own. I've measured the bore and the barrel is apparently 9mm. There is no “step” on the chamber that would indicate .30 Luger, but apparently this barrel is not original to the gun. Also, I have never seen this type of magazine. 9mm ammo does not fit in this magazine, it is tight. The magazine from the other Erfurt Luger does not seem to fit properly in this one in the sense that the insertion is not “smooth” and it gives resistance to fully insert it (I decided not to force it). May you guys please shine a light on this, if possible? Thanks! Last edited by bluesbreaker; 07-23-2020 at 11:21 AM.

04-12-2020, 11:07 PM	#3
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 848 Thanks: 784 Thanked 861 Times in 411 Posts	Agreed with the above. Your pistol is also a former Erfurt LP.08 as it has the artillery sight notch. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

04-13-2020, 02:47 AM	#6
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,635 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,556 Times in 954 Posts	Doubs Your correct . For some reason all I was thinking 1916. Old age is hell. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

04-13-2020, 10:18 AM	#7
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Well, looks like the breech block is "homemade" too. The "notch" on the receiver has been altered(by filing it appears) as it is too wide/deep; it may have been an artillery receiver or it may not. The alteration makes it impossible to say for sure, but it really does not matter to this modified luger. JMHO. It is a good example of local "ingenuity" to make something work that was missing a couple main pieces. Very interesting. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

04-13-2020, 03:41 PM	#8
aldo35 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Northern GA Posts: 343 Thanks: 2,218 Thanked 146 Times in 76 Posts	Erfurt luger The breach block looks like it has the characteristic missing piece next to the extractor,left side looking from rear.

04-12-2020, 10:02 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Yes; refinished, rebarrelled, and the magazine is either home-made or from another pistol. dju

04-13-2020, 02:43 AM	#4
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,696 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,679 Times in 552 Posts	The underside of the breech block is certainly unusual. Compare it to the picture below. The barrel is a replacement and, as already pointed out, the pistol was originally an Artillery Luger. The pistol has been refinished. I've never seen a magazine quite like that but it's obviously home made.

04-13-2020, 06:58 PM	#9
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 658 Thanks: 365 Thanked 1,176 Times in 393 Posts	I think the breech block is original, but has been "cut down" on the bottom. Perhaps to work with or clear the blacksmith magazine. The top side certainly looks good, barring the broker extractor notch.

04-14-2020, 02:04 PM	#10
gill120 User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 95 Thanks: 1 Thanked 18 Times in 11 Posts	In my opinion from the pictures supplied. The breech block has had a piece soldered to the bottom of it, perhaps to properly feed with the home made magazine pictured with it.

04-14-2020, 08:25 PM	#15
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 658 Thanks: 365 Thanked 1,176 Times in 393 Posts	Well, the photos show I was upside down on that one. The block wasn't cut down, it was built up. With a brazed on piece added to the bottom. And to think all it needed was a good magazine....

04-17-2020, 10:03 AM	#17
bluesbreaker New User Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 2 Thanks: 15 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Thank you all for the precious feedback and assessment!