VoPo stuff I haven't seen before

Wilhelm · 04-14-2010, 09:05 PM

I'm no expert on VoPo weapons but I like them and I have a few. I just picked up another Luger and it has some stuff I haven't seen before. The slide shows some rough machining one the sides and there are no markings on top of the chamber. The barrel has the usual Crown/N but no date too. I have never seen these characteristics before. The rest of the pistol is typical VoPo. I took pictures but I don't know how to post them on this forum because I'm a technoidiot! I'll be posting this over at gunboards too and will provide a link. I'd like to know what you guys think. Thanks for any help in advance.

sheepherder · 04-14-2010, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

The Easties electropenciled the number "xxx xx xxxx" on the INSIDE rear of the magazine well...I'd like to know what you guys think...

Sounds like a Federal Stock Number...or National Stock Number...or whatever they're calling it this week... lol

Wilhelm · 04-14-2010, 09:27 PM

Here's a link to the pictures:

http://forums.gunboards.com/album.php?albumid=727

I'm leaning towards thinking that the slide was produced by the Easties. If you lokk at the rough machining marks and particularly the witness marks, it looks like it's not reworked. I've heard the theory about C/U being a test of an existing part ant C/N being for new parts but this pistol has a BYF toggle that is stamped with the C/N. I dunno.

Ron Smith · 04-14-2010, 10:37 PM

It's a new production DDR extension. The C/N is the DDR Nitro test proof.

rolandtg · 04-14-2010, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

Sounds like a Federal Stock Number...or National Stock Number...or whatever they're calling it this week... lol

Actually it looks like a Social Security Number.

Perhaps of a previous American owner?

Wilhelm · 04-14-2010, 11:48 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm tickled pink to be told that it is a DDR slide as I had hoped. Well, just in case it IS someone's SSN, I'd better nix that particular picture! Ron and postino, please delete the number from your posts as well if you don't mind. Again, thanks for the info guys!

Lugerdoc · 04-15-2010, 10:18 AM

W, Definately a DDR made received with standard DDR proofing on left side, drilled for sear safety (as will be on sear bar, but never have seen one with sear safety spring installed) and the rear (not shown) should have a STRAIGHT vertical step (not rounded like WW2 & before receivers) on top. I have one available for sale with no markings and a lot less machine marks. TH

sheepherder · 04-15-2010, 11:12 AM

After more thought, I would agree with the SSAN ID...also deleted it, as the original owner should have done before selling it...I've seen this suggested as a positive means of identifying stolen weapons, but you do have to have a way of removing it, too...Annoying to find that the seller left it on...

Ron or Tom, where or what site did the DDR make the Luger receivers/barrel extensions??? Was it an old WW II plant, with machinery & prints/patterns/suppkies captured intact???

Dwight Gruber · 04-15-2010, 01:37 PM

East German P08 parts--as well as a run of complete pistols--were made by V.E.B. Ernst Thälmann (formerly Gustlaff-Werk) in Suhl. As Krieghoff was also located in Suhl, there is a strong suspicion that the Thälmann tooling was removed from there, although ultimately there is no period evidence of exactly where it came from, and of course the hardware is long gone.

--Dwight

Vlim · 04-15-2010, 01:40 PM

The town of Suhl has been a workplace of gun smiths and metal workers for hundreds of years. I think that just about any machine shop there could come up with spare parts without much effort.

It is tempting to think that at least part of the Simson and Krieghoff tooling found it's way into the hands of the DDR state.

Lugerdoc · 04-15-2010, 11:27 PM

I've owned a couple of those newly made DDR lugers (in the N1000 to N1150 range) and they are beautifully made pistols with C/N markings on barrel, receiver and toggle parts. I suspose that they made additional spares for use in repairing some of the P08s that they reworked. In addition to my spare receiver, I also have a few DDR made rear toggle links and sear bars, left in stock. TH

Wilhelm · 04-16-2010, 02:23 AM

Mine has a byf toggle and I have no idea what the frame is. It's not DDR made though. If I post a couple of pictures, maybe you guys could identify it for me? You guys have been most helpful!

P.S. Thanks for getting rid of the numbers. I wouldn't want mine all over the internet either.

sheepherder · 04-16-2010, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

P.S. Thanks for getting rid of the numbers. I wouldn't want mine all over the internet either.

getting them off the mag well is a PITA...maybe a little careful Dremel work with a fine wheel...

Don't want to be pulled over for a routine check with someone else's SSAN on the pistol...

04-14-2010, 09:05 PM	#1
Wilhelm User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 340 Thanks: 43 Thanked 107 Times in 51 Posts	VoPo stuff I haven't seen before I'm no expert on VoPo weapons but I like them and I have a few. I just picked up another Luger and it has some stuff I haven't seen before. The slide shows some rough machining one the sides and there are no markings on top of the chamber. The barrel has the usual Crown/N but no date too. I have never seen these characteristics before. The rest of the pistol is typical VoPo. I took pictures but I don't know how to post them on this forum because I'm a technoidiot! I'll be posting this over at gunboards too and will provide a link. I'd like to know what you guys think. Thanks for any help in advance. __________________ I promise to be nice and play well with others Last edited by Wilhelm; 04-14-2010 at 11:50 PM. Reason: Deleted potentially sensitive info.

04-14-2010, 09:27 PM	#3
Wilhelm User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 340 Thanks: 43 Thanked 107 Times in 51 Posts	Here's a link to the pictures: http://forums.gunboards.com/album.php?albumid=727 I'm leaning towards thinking that the slide was produced by the Easties. If you lokk at the rough machining marks and particularly the witness marks, it looks like it's not reworked. I've heard the theory about C/U being a test of an existing part ant C/N being for new parts but this pistol has a BYF toggle that is stamped with the C/N. I dunno. __________________ I promise to be nice and play well with others

04-14-2010, 10:37 PM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	It's a new production DDR extension. The C/N is the DDR Nitro test proof. Attached Thumbnails __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said... Last edited by Ron Smith; 04-15-2010 at 07:58 AM.

04-14-2010, 11:48 PM	#6
Wilhelm User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 340 Thanks: 43 Thanked 107 Times in 51 Posts	Thanks for the replies guys. I'm tickled pink to be told that it is a DDR slide as I had hoped. Well, just in case it IS someone's SSN, I'd better nix that particular picture! Ron and postino, please delete the number from your posts as well if you don't mind. Again, thanks for the info guys! __________________ I promise to be nice and play well with others

04-15-2010, 10:18 AM	#7
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	W, Definately a DDR made received with standard DDR proofing on left side, drilled for sear safety (as will be on sear bar, but never have seen one with sear safety spring installed) and the rear (not shown) should have a STRAIGHT vertical step (not rounded like WW2 & before receivers) on top. I have one available for sale with no markings and a lot less machine marks. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

04-15-2010, 11:12 AM	#8
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	After more thought, I would agree with the SSAN ID...also deleted it, as the original owner should have done before selling it...I've seen this suggested as a positive means of identifying stolen weapons, but you do have to have a way of removing it, too...Annoying to find that the seller left it on... Ron or Tom, where or what site did the DDR make the Luger receivers/barrel extensions??? Was it an old WW II plant, with machinery & prints/patterns/suppkies captured intact???

04-15-2010, 01:37 PM	#9
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	East German P08 parts--as well as a run of complete pistols--were made by V.E.B. Ernst Thälmann (formerly Gustlaff-Werk) in Suhl. As Krieghoff was also located in Suhl, there is a strong suspicion that the Thälmann tooling was removed from there, although ultimately there is no period evidence of exactly where it came from, and of course the hardware is long gone. --Dwight

04-15-2010, 01:40 PM	#10
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,032 Thanks: 1,018 Thanked 3,873 Times in 1,184 Posts	The town of Suhl has been a workplace of gun smiths and metal workers for hundreds of years. I think that just about any machine shop there could come up with spare parts without much effort. It is tempting to think that at least part of the Simson and Krieghoff tooling found it's way into the hands of the DDR state.

04-15-2010, 11:27 PM	#11
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	I've owned a couple of those newly made DDR lugers (in the N1000 to N1150 range) and they are beautifully made pistols with C/N markings on barrel, receiver and toggle parts. I suspose that they made additional spares for use in repairing some of the P08s that they reworked. In addition to my spare receiver, I also have a few DDR made rear toggle links and sear bars, left in stock. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

04-16-2010, 02:23 AM	#12
Wilhelm User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 340 Thanks: 43 Thanked 107 Times in 51 Posts	Mine has a byf toggle and I have no idea what the frame is. It's not DDR made though. If I post a couple of pictures, maybe you guys could identify it for me? You guys have been most helpful! P.S. Thanks for getting rid of the numbers. I wouldn't want mine all over the internet either. __________________ I promise to be nice and play well with others