Krieghoff Luger?

surf2k2 · 06-15-2014, 11:44 AM

New member, first post, hope you enjoy:

An old friend of my father brought this luger by the house. He believed it was Kreighoff and asked me if I could tell. As you can tell from the pics, there are only proof marks on this gun and I have never seen engraving like this on a gun.
History - the gun had gold leaf on the engraving, but the previous owner had it removed.

Question 1- is this a Kreighoff luger?

Question 2 - can you tell anything from the engraving?

Question 3 - can you put a value on a gun like this?

I know it is difficult to judge a gun from pictures. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

Edward Tinker · 06-15-2014, 12:14 PM

what acceptance marks are on the right?

many parts have Erfurt stamps on them, not krieghoff - to collectors without any special provenance, this is just a engraved luger worth around a $1000 to someone who wants an engraved luger, maybe $2000-$3000

I lean towards the less as the engraving is ok, but I think not high quality but I am no expert

more info would help - does the serial number match the wood base number? if yes, then its very, very likely originally an erfurt

lugerholsterrepair · 06-15-2014, 12:18 PM

Erfurt

George Anderson · 06-15-2014, 12:32 PM

As the gentlemen have stated, it's an Erfurt. For comparison, here are some photos of an engraved Krieghoff.

Ben M. · 06-15-2014, 12:38 PM

nice work on the erfurt. engraver had talent! seems to be a matching gun. not sure if that is wise when you want to do an engrave project,

Ron Wood · 06-15-2014, 01:07 PM

Nice Germanic-style engraving, but probably not done in Germany and at a later date. The engraving is well executed but far from master engraver level. Ed Tinker's valuation is probably as close as you will get (but more in the $1000 to $2000 range).

mrerick · 06-15-2014, 04:19 PM

Dave, welcome to the forum. That is a very attractive Erfurt Luger. And all matching including the magazine. Sweet...

Now George's engraved Krieghoff... That is something else entirely!

I am not much for engraved guns, but that Krieghoff is a masterwork.

Thank you for posting it, George...

Marc

alanint · 06-15-2014, 05:54 PM

The engraving is very reminiscent of Mexican engraving cut to look like the Germanic style.

John Sabato · 06-16-2014, 02:07 PM

Doug (alanint)... Mexican is the first thing that popped into my mind when I first saw the engraving...

alanint · 06-16-2014, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Anderson

As the gentlemen have stated, it's an Erfurt. For comparison, here are some photos of an engraved Krieghoff.

George,

What is the significance of the "9. IX. 41" date on the Krieghoff you pictured?

George Anderson · 06-16-2014, 05:11 PM

Doug, the pistol was bought from Doug Smith by Tom Armstrong. It is one of a cased set that belonged to Gauleiter Bohle who was in control of the foreign office in National Socialist Germany. I have not been able to come up with any significance to the date 9 November 1941 either in the calendar of National Socialist Germany or a brief biography of Bohle.

alanint · 06-16-2014, 07:00 PM

Thanks, George! A fascinating thing to further research!

surf2k2 · 06-18-2014, 05:42 PM

Just wanted to thank everyone for the information on the luger.
Just having the proof marks, threw me a little.
George thanks for posting the Krieghoff pics.
Beautiful gun.

06-15-2014, 11:44 AM	#1
surf2k2 New User Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Krieghoff Luger? New member, first post, hope you enjoy: An old friend of my father brought this luger by the house. He believed it was Kreighoff and asked me if I could tell. As you can tell from the pics, there are only proof marks on this gun and I have never seen engraving like this on a gun. History - the gun had gold leaf on the engraving, but the previous owner had it removed. Question 1- is this a Kreighoff luger? Question 2 - can you tell anything from the engraving? Question 3 - can you put a value on a gun like this? I know it is difficult to judge a gun from pictures. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks Attached Thumbnails

06-15-2014, 12:14 PM	#2
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	what acceptance marks are on the right? many parts have Erfurt stamps on them, not krieghoff - to collectors without any special provenance, this is just a engraved luger worth around a $1000 to someone who wants an engraved luger, maybe $2000-$3000 I lean towards the less as the engraving is ok, but I think not high quality but I am no expert more info would help - does the serial number match the wood base number? if yes, then its very, very likely originally an erfurt __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

06-15-2014, 12:18 PM	#3
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,928 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Erfurt __________________ 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."

06-15-2014, 12:32 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	As the gentlemen have stated, it's an Erfurt. For comparison, here are some photos of an engraved Krieghoff. Attached Thumbnails

06-15-2014, 01:07 PM	#6
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,019 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,173 Times in 1,701 Posts	Nice Germanic-style engraving, but probably not done in Germany and at a later date. The engraving is well executed but far from master engraver level. Ed Tinker's valuation is probably as close as you will get (but more in the $1000 to $2000 range). __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

06-15-2014, 12:38 PM	#5
Ben M. User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Retired to Naples, FL. Posts: 488 Thanks: 90 Thanked 123 Times in 83 Posts	nice work on the erfurt. engraver had talent! seems to be a matching gun. not sure if that is wise when you want to do an engrave project,

06-15-2014, 04:19 PM	#7
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Dave, welcome to the forum. That is a very attractive Erfurt Luger. And all matching including the magazine. Sweet... Now George's engraved Krieghoff... That is something else entirely! I am not much for engraved guns, but that Krieghoff is a masterwork. Thank you for posting it, George... Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

06-15-2014, 05:54 PM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	The engraving is very reminiscent of Mexican engraving cut to look like the Germanic style.

06-16-2014, 02:07 PM	#9
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	Doug (alanint)... *Mexican* is the first thing that popped into my mind when I first saw the engraving... __________________ 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..."*

06-16-2014, 05:11 PM	#11
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	Doug, the pistol was bought from Doug Smith by Tom Armstrong. It is one of a cased set that belonged to Gauleiter Bohle who was in control of the foreign office in National Socialist Germany. I have not been able to come up with any significance to the date 9 November 1941 either in the calendar of National Socialist Germany or a brief biography of Bohle.

06-16-2014, 07:00 PM	#12
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Thanks, George! A fascinating thing to further research!

06-18-2014, 05:42 PM	#13
surf2k2 New User Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just wanted to thank everyone for the information on the luger. Just having the proof marks, threw me a little. George thanks for posting the Krieghoff pics. Beautiful gun.