Unit-Marked 1918 Erfurt

Tarfu43 · 04-18-2021, 11:57 AM

I have an opportunity to buy a 1918 Erfurt, with a unit marking on the frontstrap. The gun is matching except for the grips and mag (which match). Finish is 80%, straw is 50%. Bore is decent. Being a 1918 pistol, isn’t it unusual that there is a unit marking on it? It looks legit. Patina is the same as the rest of the pistol. Price is $1800. Would appreciate opinions. Thanks!

wlyon · 04-18-2021, 02:14 PM

Seems a bit high priced for the condition. Bill

Norme · 04-18-2021, 02:38 PM

Hi Bob,
Not all 80%'s are equal, you had better post photos if you want a meaningful opinion.
Norm

Tarfu43 · 04-18-2021, 03:55 PM

Understood. The price is a bit high. Does the fact that it’s a unit-marked 1918 pistol add that much to the value?

wlyon · 04-18-2021, 11:22 PM

That pretty much depends on the collectors taste. To me I don't care whether they are marked or not. To others it would probably add some amount. Bill

lugerholsterrepair · 04-18-2021, 11:26 PM

What's the unit?

Tarfu43 · 04-19-2021, 08:34 AM

Here's the unit mark; 142.R.11.16
Anyone know what it means?

jeb111 · 04-19-2021, 09:17 AM

Saw a 1917 Erfurt for sale at a gun show this past weekend, all matching including mag and maybe same finish condition as you describe for $1600 not unit marked though. I bet I could get it a bit cheaper. Anyway prices being what they are now $1800 maybe a bit high but might seem reasonable in the near future.

Neil Young · 04-19-2021, 10:31 AM

My guess is the 142nd Infantry Regiment, company 11, weapon #16.

Doubs · 04-19-2021, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil Young

My guess is the 142nd Infantry Regiment, company 11, weapon #16.

I agree.

Not many 1918 Lugers were unit marked. It would be nice to see clear, sharp and detailed pictures of the gun in question. The frame serial number and suffix letter might tell us something.

I also think $1800 is too high based on the OP's description.

Tarfu43 · 04-19-2021, 04:14 PM

I don't have any close-up pics, unfortunately. I do appreciate everyone's feedback, however. Thanks!

MikeP · 04-20-2021, 12:53 PM

I remember in the early 60s, collectors were turning up their noses at unit marks.
Also '41 BYFs with black grips....
I like unit marks just out of interest.
Fickle we can be.

spangy · 04-20-2021, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeP

I remember in the early 60s, collectors were turning up their noses at unit marks.
Also '41 BYFs with black grips....
I like unit marks just out of interest.
Fickle we can be.

I like proper unit marks as well ... IMO the markings add verifiable history to a gun as well as value.

Tarfu43 · 04-20-2021, 07:46 PM

Again, thanks, all, for the great comments. I’m going to make a play for the pistol. There’s just something about it that speaks to me. If I end-up buying the pistol, I’ll be sure to post pictures on this thread. Take care!

Tarfu43 · 05-12-2021, 10:39 AM

Well, I bought the Luger. Please let me know what you think.

Tarfu43 · 05-12-2021, 10:41 AM

For some reason the pictures got cropped. Sorry. I'll try this again....

Tarfu43 · 05-12-2021, 10:45 AM

wlyon · 05-12-2021, 12:46 PM

It may be just the pictures but it looks refinished. It appears to be very shiny. Bill

Doubs · 05-12-2021, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlyon

It may be just the pictures but it looks refinished. It appears to be very shiny. Bill

Bill, I agree. I also think the left grip is a replacement. The fit and the wear doesn't match the right grip.

HerrKaiser · 05-12-2021, 04:18 PM

I second the notion that it’s refinished.

04-18-2021, 02:14 PM	#2
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,614 Thanks: 3,140 Thanked 2,519 Times in 939 Posts	Seems a bit high priced for the condition. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

04-18-2021, 11:22 PM	#5
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,614 Thanks: 3,140 Thanked 2,519 Times in 939 Posts	That pretty much depends on the collectors taste. To me I don't care whether they are marked or not. To others it would probably add some amount. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

04-18-2021, 11:26 PM	#6
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	What's the unit? __________________ 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."

04-19-2021, 10:31 AM	#9
Neil Young Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scottsboro, Alabama Posts: 540 Thanks: 546 Thanked 438 Times in 165 Posts	My guess is the 142nd Infantry Regiment, company 11, weapon #16. __________________ Neil The hurrier I go the behinder I get. Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.

05-12-2021, 12:46 PM	#18
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,614 Thanks: 3,140 Thanked 2,519 Times in 939 Posts	It may be just the pictures but it looks refinished. It appears to be very shiny. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

04-18-2021, 11:57 AM	#1
Tarfu43 User Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Unit-Marked 1918 Erfurt I have an opportunity to buy a 1918 Erfurt, with a unit marking on the frontstrap. The gun is matching except for the grips and mag (which match). Finish is 80%, straw is 50%. Bore is decent. Being a 1918 pistol, isn’t it unusual that there is a unit marking on it? It looks legit. Patina is the same as the rest of the pistol. Price is $1800. Would appreciate opinions. Thanks!

04-18-2021, 02:38 PM	#3
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	Hi Bob, Not all 80%'s are equal, you had better post photos if you want a meaningful opinion. Norm

04-18-2021, 03:55 PM	#4
Tarfu43 User Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Understood. The price is a bit high. Does the fact that it’s a unit-marked 1918 pistol add that much to the value?

04-19-2021, 08:34 AM	#7
Tarfu43 User Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Here's the unit mark; 142.R.11.16 Anyone know what it means?

04-19-2021, 09:17 AM	#8
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 275 Thanks: 680 Thanked 325 Times in 131 Posts	Saw a 1917 Erfurt for sale at a gun show this past weekend, all matching including mag and maybe same finish condition as you describe for $1600 not unit marked though. I bet I could get it a bit cheaper. Anyway prices being what they are now $1800 maybe a bit high but might seem reasonable in the near future.

04-19-2021, 04:14 PM	#11
Tarfu43 User Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	I don't have any close-up pics, unfortunately. I do appreciate everyone's feedback, however. Thanks!

04-20-2021, 12:53 PM	#12
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	I remember in the early 60s, collectors were turning up their noses at unit marks. Also '41 BYFs with black grips.... I like unit marks just out of interest. Fickle we can be.

04-20-2021, 07:46 PM	#14
Tarfu43 User Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Again, thanks, all, for the great comments. I’m going to make a play for the pistol. There’s just something about it that speaks to me. If I end-up buying the pistol, I’ll be sure to post pictures on this thread. Take care!

05-12-2021, 10:39 AM	#15
Tarfu43 User Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Well, I bought the Luger. Please let me know what you think.

05-12-2021, 10:41 AM	#16
Tarfu43 User Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	For some reason the pictures got cropped. Sorry. I'll try this again....

05-12-2021, 10:45 AM	#17
Tarfu43 User Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts

05-12-2021, 04:18 PM	#20
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 800 Thanks: 750 Thanked 793 Times in 376 Posts	I second the notion that it’s refinished. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22