Erfurt Imperial Arsenal

goodwrenchldj · 03-04-2023, 02:38 PM

I am a new member who owns two Erfurt Lugers, but more on them later. My interest today is in their birthplace.
My wife and I will be in Berlin in September, 2023 and we are considering a visit to Erfurt. It is my understanding that the production machinery and equipment went to France as war reparations in 1919. Does anyone know anything about the history of the arsenal itself? Are the buildings still standing and what are they are used for today? Also, where are the records?
I have spent some time on the web seeking answers but have not been successful. Any help that you can provide will be appreciated. Have any of you been to Erfurt?

LU1900 · 03-04-2023, 06:51 PM

I never ear that : "the production machinery and equipment went to France as war reparations in 1919"
Are you sure ?
Not to Simson & Co ?

ithacaartist · 03-06-2023, 05:05 AM

Simson, then Krieghoff.

John, maybe you're thinking of when the French produced some Lugers after they occupied the Mauser factory, WWII?

goodwrenchldj · 04-10-2023, 07:09 AM

My thanks to all of you for your responses. I have no recollection of how the idea that the production machinery used at Erfurt went to France as war reparations. I stand corrected and educated.
Based on information in Luger – The Story of the World’s Most famous Handgun by John Walter I now realize that the production machinery was sold to Simpson & Company of Suhl around 1920. On page 203, this book advises that by 1935 this machinery was in the possession of Krieghoff.
Any additional information about what I am calling the Erfurt Imperial Arsenal, including what its “correct” name might be will be appreciated. My wife and I will visit Erfurt in September.

Doubs · 04-10-2023, 01:21 PM

The proper name, according to Gortz & Sturgess is "Erfurt Royal Prussian Rifle Factory" or "Royal Prussian Rifle Factory at Erfurt".

Edward Tinker · 04-10-2023, 02:14 PM

I do not think any buildings remain of the Luger making buildings, but I don't really know. I've meant to go there also, my great-grandfather left service in Erfurt area.

Deputywood · 04-10-2023, 03:44 PM

I was stationed in Berlin in 72 and 73. Of course I was not interested in Lugers at the time. Drinking beer and chasing skirt was more to my liking then. I fired a lot 75mm blanks as a member of C/94th FA and I once saw Hess at Spandau Prison.

Woody

Mac Cat · 04-10-2023, 05:37 PM

Wikipedia has a page, but it only has a location and old photo.
No text or further details, except that is says "Abolished 1945"
Let us know what you find.

This is what the photo caption translates to.
The former Optima office machine factory in Erfurt:

03-04-2023, 02:38 PM	#1
goodwrenchldj New User Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Erfurt Imperial Arsenal I am a new member who owns two Erfurt Lugers, but more on them later. My interest today is in their birthplace. My wife and I will be in Berlin in September, 2023 and we are considering a visit to Erfurt. It is my understanding that the production machinery and equipment went to France as war reparations in 1919. Does anyone know anything about the history of the arsenal itself? Are the buildings still standing and what are they are used for today? Also, where are the records? I have spent some time on the web seeking answers but have not been successful. Any help that you can provide will be appreciated. Have any of you been to Erfurt?

03-04-2023, 06:51 PM	#2
LU1900 User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: FRANCE Posts: 907 Thanks: 40 Thanked 468 Times in 196 Posts	I never ear that : "the production machinery and equipment went to France as war reparations in 1919" Are you sure ? Not to Simson & Co ? __________________ Best regards from France...Patrice https://www.fichier-pdf.fr/2016/03/1...nd-snail-drum/

03-06-2023, 05:05 AM	#3
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,339 Thanks: 7,261 Thanked 2,564 Times in 1,362 Posts	Simson, then Krieghoff. John, maybe you're thinking of when the French produced some Lugers after they occupied the Mauser factory, WWII? __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

04-10-2023, 07:09 AM	#4
goodwrenchldj New User Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Erfurt Imperial Arsenal My thanks to all of you for your responses. I have no recollection of how the idea that the production machinery used at Erfurt went to France as war reparations. I stand corrected and educated. Based on information in Luger – The Story of the World’s Most famous Handgun by John Walter I now realize that the production machinery was sold to Simpson & Company of Suhl around 1920. On page 203, this book advises that by 1935 this machinery was in the possession of Krieghoff. Any additional information about what I am calling the Erfurt Imperial Arsenal, including what its “correct” name might be will be appreciated. My wife and I will visit Erfurt in September.

04-10-2023, 05:37 PM	#8
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 723 Thanks: 2,085 Thanked 603 Times in 325 Posts	Wikipedia has a page, but it only has a location and old photo. No text or further details, except that is says "Abolished 1945" Let us know what you find. This is what the photo caption translates to. The former Optima office machine factory in Erfurt: Attached Thumbnails

04-10-2023, 01:21 PM	#5
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,696 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,679 Times in 552 Posts	The proper name, according to Gortz & Sturgess is "Erfurt Royal Prussian Rifle Factory" or "Royal Prussian Rifle Factory at Erfurt".

04-10-2023, 02:14 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,929 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 4,527 Times in 2,090 Posts	I do not think any buildings remain of the Luger making buildings, but I don't really know. I've meant to go there also, my great-grandfather left service in Erfurt area.

04-10-2023, 03:44 PM	#7
Deputywood User Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 73 Thanks: 74 Thanked 87 Times in 36 Posts	I was stationed in Berlin in 72 and 73. Of course I was not interested in Lugers at the time. Drinking beer and chasing skirt was more to my liking then. I fired a lot 75mm blanks as a member of C/94th FA and I once saw Hess at Spandau Prison. Woody