Erfurt; not my favorite, BUT

Mike B · 12-08-2012, 02:55 PM

I have always regarded an Erfurt as a less desirable Luger. The ones I have had in the past were rather poor in fit and finish. Not surprising, since the Erfurt arsenal was government owned. I guess the Germany balance of trade was such, they did not need to have China or Japan manufacture their goods as "some" countries do today.
With all that said, when the opportunity arose to buy this 1911 Erfurt with a matched mag and a finish not commonly found on Erfurt Lugers, I found it hard to pass this one up. Just the fact it is a 1911 is enticing. Add a matched mag and correct grip screws and a nice looking Luger to the mix, I just had to jump in. Here are a few pictures for your review.

Thanks,
Mike

spartacus38 · 12-08-2012, 03:00 PM

Hi Mike,
I don't think it is nice enough for you to keep.

So I think you should sell it to me.

Spartacus38@charter.net

Bob Young

alanint · 12-08-2012, 03:48 PM

Nice find, Mike!

I like Erfurts simply because they have so many little stamps to look at.

mcg · 12-08-2012, 04:06 PM

Mike, that is one very nice, early, early Erfurt. The wood bottom on that mag, looks as if it's never been out doors. Congratulations!

Mark

Neil Young · 12-08-2012, 05:05 PM

That's a great looking piece, no matter who made it.

lugerholsterrepair · 12-08-2012, 06:11 PM

You have to appreciate Erfurts for what they are..That's a real beauty! I would add it to my collection in a heartbeat.

Douglas Jr. · 12-08-2012, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

I like Erfurts simply because they have so many little stamps to look at.

+1

I think you found a keeper.
Congratulations!
Douglas.

Ice · 12-08-2012, 06:59 PM

Magnificent Erfurt. I have only one, a 1915 Police modified model and its not nearly in as good shape as yours. Still, I prize it highly. Good for ya!

Charlie

pitsword · 12-08-2012, 07:00 PM

Mike, very nice. I believe this beauty was finished around 1300 hrEST on a Wednesday. Right after a Armory furnished lunch of wurst, spekulaten und pislner. Alle ist sehr gut!

DavidJayUden · 12-08-2012, 07:23 PM

My theory is that the early Erfurts were on par with the DWM, and only well into the war did they get a bit less handsomely fitted and finished.
Do any of you Erfurt guys agree?
dju

Arizona Slim · 12-09-2012, 04:41 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"My theory is that the early Erfurts were on par with the DWM, and only well into the war did they get a bit less handsomely fitted and finished.
Do any of you Erfurt guys agree?
dju "

I agree wholeheartedly David, I only have two Erfurt's, a 1914 Artillery and a 1918 and I feel they compare favorably with my early Dwm's, I don't have a later model Erfurt to compare with a later model DWM but have heard that the fit and finnish on Erfurts doesn't measure up.

lugerholsterrepair · 12-09-2012, 04:51 PM

There was a difference between a commercial company..DWM and the State Arsenal. Erfurt. Just two different spectacular Luger variations that make all this so interesting!

George Anderson · 12-09-2012, 06:59 PM

Up until 1915 Erfurt's quality of product was easily the equal of DWM. Starting in 1914, the war brought Erfurt's quality quite a change. Below is a clip from Storz' "M98 Rifle and Carbine" in whch he addresses Erfurt's issues with quality.

Douglas Jr. · 12-09-2012, 07:27 PM

It is something amazing that those guys were still doing reports with such concerns so late in the war, with the Empire clumbling.

ithacaartist · 12-09-2012, 07:30 PM

An explanation, or just a bunch of excuses? What was DWM's secret for maintaining quality, cosmetic or otherwise? Wouldn't their production rates also be subject to the same factors? The inclusion of female workers in this "explanation" may have been been an acceptable hypothesis at the time in terms of political correctness, but time and experience have blown this one out of the water. The allies could not have prevailed, or maybe not as soon, if our women hadn't, quite capably, taken up the slack in manufacturing and support caused by the identical shortage of male manpower here in WWII.

glock30 · 12-09-2012, 08:10 PM

What is wrong with Erfurt? Everything you said about them, I think the oposite, fit?? are you serious, how bad can fit on a Luger be? It is a the polishing and Machine marks that are Erfurts trademark, but fit, they fit together fine. Awesome Erfurt you have there.

padredan · 12-09-2012, 08:39 PM

nice one

Steve Lempitski · 12-09-2012, 10:13 PM

Interesting...no wonder I have never seen an erfurt without RC stamps...

John Sabato · 12-10-2012, 05:49 PM

Hey Mike... nice find. Looks like this one is early enough that it was made before ERFURT broke the toggle stamp for making the crown... this one looks complete, but then the photos are just slightly out of focus for magnification purposes...

12-08-2012, 02:55 PM	#1
Mike B Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 979 Thanks: 1 Thanked 271 Times in 99 Posts	Erfurt; not my favorite, BUT I have always regarded an Erfurt as a less desirable Luger. The ones I have had in the past were rather poor in fit and finish. Not surprising, since the Erfurt arsenal was government owned. I guess the Germany balance of trade was such, they did not need to have China or Japan manufacture their goods as "some" countries do today. With all that said, when the opportunity arose to buy this 1911 Erfurt with a matched mag and a finish not commonly found on Erfurt Lugers, I found it hard to pass this one up. Just the fact it is a 1911 is enticing. Add a matched mag and correct grip screws and a nice looking Luger to the mix, I just had to jump in. Here are a few pictures for your review. Thanks, Mike Attached Thumbnails

12-08-2012, 05:05 PM	#5
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 546 Thanks: 559 Thanked 442 Times in 168 Posts	That's a great looking piece, no matter who made it. __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

12-08-2012, 06:11 PM	#6
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,933 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	You have to appreciate Erfurts for what they are..That's a real beauty! I would add it to my collection in a heartbeat. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

12-09-2012, 04:51 PM	#12
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,933 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	There was a difference between a commercial company..DWM and the State Arsenal. Erfurt. Just two different spectacular Luger variations that make all this so interesting! __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

12-09-2012, 06:59 PM	#13
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,529 Times in 787 Posts	Up until 1915 Erfurt's quality of product was easily the equal of DWM. Starting in 1914, the war brought Erfurt's quality quite a change. Below is a clip from Storz' "M98 Rifle and Carbine" in whch he addresses Erfurt's issues with quality. Attached Thumbnails

12-08-2012, 03:00 PM	#2
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	Hi Mike, I don't think it is nice enough for you to keep. So I think you should sell it to me. Spartacus38@charter.net Bob Young

12-08-2012, 03:48 PM	#3
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Nice find, Mike! I like Erfurts simply because they have so many little stamps to look at.

12-08-2012, 04:06 PM	#4
mcg Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston, TX. Posts: 92 Thanks: 263 Thanked 29 Times in 21 Posts	Mike, that is one very nice, early, early Erfurt. The wood bottom on that mag, looks as if it's never been out doors. Congratulations! Mark

12-08-2012, 06:59 PM	#8
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	Magnificent Erfurt. I have only one, a 1915 Police modified model and its not nearly in as good shape as yours. Still, I prize it highly. Good for ya! Charlie

12-08-2012, 07:00 PM	#9
pitsword User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 459 Thanks: 3,964 Thanked 103 Times in 83 Posts	Mike, very nice. I believe this beauty was finished around 1300 hrEST on a Wednesday. Right after a Armory furnished lunch of wurst, spekulaten und pislner. Alle ist sehr gut!

12-08-2012, 07:23 PM	#10
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	My theory is that the early Erfurts were on par with the DWM, and only well into the war did they get a bit less handsomely fitted and finished. Do any of you Erfurt guys agree? dju

12-09-2012, 04:41 PM	#11
Arizona Slim Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 706 Thanks: 1,026 Thanked 409 Times in 225 Posts	-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "My theory is that the early Erfurts were on par with the DWM, and only well into the war did they get a bit less handsomely fitted and finished. Do any of you Erfurt guys agree? dju " I agree wholeheartedly David, I only have two Erfurt's, a 1914 Artillery and a 1918 and I feel they compare favorably with my early Dwm's, I don't have a later model Erfurt to compare with a later model DWM but have heard that the fit and finnish on Erfurts doesn't measure up.

12-09-2012, 07:27 PM	#14
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	It is something amazing that those guys were still doing reports with such concerns so late in the war, with the Empire clumbling.

12-09-2012, 07:30 PM	#15
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,346 Thanks: 7,275 Thanked 2,578 Times in 1,365 Posts	An explanation, or just a bunch of excuses? What was DWM's secret for maintaining quality, cosmetic or otherwise? Wouldn't their production rates also be subject to the same factors? The inclusion of female workers in this "explanation" may have been been an acceptable hypothesis at the time in terms of political correctness, but time and experience have blown this one out of the water. The allies could not have prevailed, or maybe not as soon, if our women hadn't, quite capably, taken up the slack in manufacturing and support caused by the identical shortage of male manpower here in WWII. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

12-09-2012, 08:10 PM	#16
glock30 User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Obama LAND Posts: 206 Thanks: 18 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	What is wrong with Erfurt? Everything you said about them, I think the oposite, fit?? are you serious, how bad can fit on a Luger be? It is a the polishing and Machine marks that are Erfurts trademark, but fit, they fit together fine. Awesome Erfurt you have there.

12-09-2012, 08:39 PM	#17
padredan User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: louisiana Now, but from the Rebublic of Texas Posts: 937 Thanks: 429 Thanked 316 Times in 182 Posts	nice one __________________ In this world nothing is free, except the grace of God

12-09-2012, 10:13 PM	#18
Steve Lempitski User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Old Cape Cod Posts: 238 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Interesting...no wonder I have never seen an erfurt without RC stamps... __________________ SJL

12-10-2012, 05:49 PM	#19
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	Hey Mike... nice find. Looks like this one is early enough that it was made before ERFURT broke the toggle stamp for making the crown... this one looks complete, but then the photos are just slightly out of focus for magnification purposes... __________________ 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..."*