Erfurt Artillery serial number range

Curss · 01-22-2014, 02:03 PM

I have a frame from a 1914 double date Erfurt. The rear sight on the toggle has been dove tailed in, and If memory serves me correctly the sights are actually machined out on the toggle and are not removable. I've been wondering for years if it was once an artillery gun. How could I tell? Is there a list of serial numbers that I can compare the frame number to?

DavidJayUden · 01-22-2014, 02:36 PM

Thye rear sight is actually part of the rear toggle link on the original 4" guns, and most all the Erfurts, 4" and 8", had the cut-away for the Artillery sight. I don't think that we can tell if the gun was originally an Artillery via the serial number. It may well have been an artillery but was later converted when it was double-dated. Never heard of the Germans dove-tailing a rear sight in, however.
But let's see what the more learned collectors have to say.
dju

Edward Tinker · 01-22-2014, 03:12 PM

david, why would it be converted when 'double dated"?

when the 1920 was put onto the gun, it was simply a govt marking - has nothing to do with any refinish, repurposing, or DWM

George Anderson · 01-22-2014, 03:26 PM

1914 P08s generally do not have a receiver that has been relieved on the top front. If yours has the relief cut it is or was an artillery.

Curss · 01-22-2014, 04:19 PM

Well, the receiver does have the relief cut for the rear sight and has a replacement barrel with a rather tall front sight. Sadly the gun was reblued and buffed....too much. The ledges that would hold the sear bar spring are gone and it simply falls out.

However I do have a DWM 1918 receiver with no barrel, and IT has the relief cut. I'll build an artillery if I can.

01-22-2014, 02:03 PM	#1
Curss User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 303 Thanks: 304 Thanked 98 Times in 75 Posts	Erfurt Artillery serial number range I have a frame from a 1914 double date Erfurt. The rear sight on the toggle has been dove tailed in, and If memory serves me correctly the sights are actually machined out on the toggle and are not removable. I've been wondering for years if it was once an artillery gun. How could I tell? Is there a list of serial numbers that I can compare the frame number to?

01-22-2014, 02:36 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Thye rear sight is actually part of the rear toggle link on the original 4" guns, and most all the Erfurts, 4" and 8", had the cut-away for the Artillery sight. I don't think that we can tell if the gun was originally an Artillery via the serial number. It may well have been an artillery but was later converted when it was double-dated. Never heard of the Germans dove-tailing a rear sight in, however. But let's see what the more learned collectors have to say. dju

01-22-2014, 03:12 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,930 Thanks: 2,030 Thanked 4,527 Times in 2,090 Posts	david, why would it be converted when 'double dated"? when the 1920 was put onto the gun, it was simply a govt marking - has nothing to do with any refinish, repurposing, or DWM

01-22-2014, 03:26 PM	#4
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	1914 P08s generally do not have a receiver that has been relieved on the top front. If yours has the relief cut it is or was an artillery.

01-22-2014, 04:19 PM	#5
Curss User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 303 Thanks: 304 Thanked 98 Times in 75 Posts	Well, the receiver does have the relief cut for the rear sight and has a replacement barrel with a rather tall front sight. Sadly the gun was reblued and buffed....too much. The ledges that would hold the sear bar spring are gone and it simply falls out. However I do have a DWM 1918 receiver with no barrel, and IT has the relief cut. I'll build an artillery if I can.