1906 vs 1908

[milesc2]

Would the cannon assembly off a 1906 American Eagle commercial fit and function on a WWI era P08?
Also curious if the barrels can be swapped between the two.

As far as I can tell the only differences are the sear bar and the grip safety.

Thanks.

[DonVoigt]

Yes,
within limits of tolerance variation, this is true of the upper assembly.

You asked if the barrels can be "swapped" also, again the answer is yes; though with regard to barrels you have to deal with the lenght of the threads and their corresponding chamber lengths.

Most 1906 are the same as the 1908, with short frames. There are a few exceptions. Navy lugers are not 1906 models, but 1904 and have long chambers and barrels, until you get to the '1914" model, and a couple other scarce exceptions.

The moral of this tale is you need to be specific on what you want to do and post pictures of both the upper or receiver and barrel you want to use.

Barrels may or may not "time" when changed, or headspace may need correcting.

Your question is more complicated than it seems.

Below are pictures of a long shank navy barrel on a short receiver using a space ring, the receiver is a reject WWII Kreighoff on a 1904(1906) navy long frame. Result is a hybrid for sure but a semi-navy looking shooter clone.

[ithacaartist]

Maybe, if the frame and upper are the same format--either early/long or later/short. I have two 06 AEs, one of each. This is the main hurdle to a functioning mechanical match-up. Then individual tolerances kick in, as Don says.

[Karl]

Miles,

The cannon of an early, short frame Luger will not function on a 1914 or later Luger frame without modification. The 1914 and later frames are reinforced at the back. The back of the rails on the cannon that engage the frame have a different profile (more rounded) to accommodate the thicker reinforced area. The earlier cannon rails can be filed to match the later profile.

KFS

[DonVoigt]

The long and short frame has nothing to do with interchange, a long receiver on a short frame will extend to the front- and function; likewise a short receiver will function on a long frame (not a 1900, but a 1906) and function, but will not line up with the front of the frame.

I have not experienced the problem that Karl mentions; the "reinforcement" to the luger frame is on the inside of the frame, and does not impact the receiver.

Just try it, a 1910 upper will fit on a 1918 lower without any problem, or a Mauser frame for that matter.

[Ron Wood]

My experience is the same as Don's.
Ron

[ithacaartist]

Right. They will function. But they sure look weird.

[milesc2]

Thanks for the info everyone.
Just read Ron’s guide and I believe they are both short frames. But just wanted to confirm.
Here are some pictures of the American Eagle.

What I need to know:
Will the cannon off this gun fit on a 1914 erfurt artillery frame and not overhang?
I know the sear bar is different but I believe these parts can be swapped?
Also will the hold open operate?

Also I plan to mount a 4 inch 9mm P08 barrel to this receiver.

I should note, all of these mods will be made by a very competent Luger smith, I am just getting the parts together for a build.

[Karl]

This photo illustrates what I was trying to explain about the cannons

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by milesc2

Thanks for the info everyone.
Just read Ron’s guide and I believe they are both short frames. But just wanted to confirm.
Here are some pictures of the American Eagle.

What I need to know:
Will the cannon off this gun fit on a 1914 erfurt artillery frame and not overhang? yes
I know the sear bar is different but I believe these parts can be swapped?yes
Also will the hold open operate? yes

Also I plan to mount a 4 inch 9mm P08 barrel to this receiver.

Yes, to all. Within tolerance limits. Hold opens can be a pain.
As can the sear bar/trigger lever/trigger function.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Karl

This photo illustrates what I was trying to explain about the cannons

Thanks for the picture, it clearly shows the difference.

But, the difference does not affect the interchange of the upper to lower. The rails are the same width as the "ears" and thus would pass through the same area- but they don't come back that far.

I just tried several early/ late combinations and confirmed the above conclusion. There may be a combination that will not work, but I have not found it.

I'd rather think the the longer curve of the later receiver aids in re-assembly- making it easier to start the receiver on to the frame rails.

[Karl]

Don,

I just tried an early/late combination with success. My concern about the different cannons is based on an upper/lower (1910/1917) mismatch shooter. When I received the gun, there was some drag in sliding the cannon in the frame and I discovered that the very back of the cannon rails were slightly mushroomed. I had assumed this was from contact with the reinforced frame and filed them to the "new" profile.

KFS

[DonVoigt]

Karl,
I just tried a couple more, and found that my 1908 DWM comes up slightly short on a Mauser frame.
You are correct that filing the rear edge to the rounded contour will solve the problem.

It appears that the curve at the rear inside of the frame must have some variance from early to late and mfg. to mfg!

Thanks for you pictures and input. It is a good day when one learns something new or different, especially with all the ins and outs of lugers.

Miles,
check for full travel, and if need be round the rear edges of the rails on the upper!

[Dwight Gruber]

Pedantic mode on: there is no such thing as a "cannon" on a Luger. The upper main part is properly called the receiver extension. edantic mode off

--Dwight

[John Sabato]

What Dwight said!

[Ron Wood]

Why is it called a receiver "extension"? What does it extend?
Ron

[Norme]

I like the term "receiver fork", it's more descriptive.
Norm

[DonVoigt]

Why use two words when one is sufficient, it is simply the "receiver".

[Karl]

I think "cannon" has value as a term for referring collectively to the barrel, receiver, toggle assembly, sear bar. It there another term used in Luger literature for this?

KFS

[Ron Wood]

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Why use two words when one is sufficient, it is simply the "receiver".

Seconded. Are we ready for a vote?