Luger Cottage Gunsmiths

Dick Herman · 01-02-2018, 06:37 PM

During the 1920s and early 1930s there were German gunsmith jobbers that assembled Lugers for the commercial market. Some of these jobbers include Vono, Anschutz, Frankenschloss and Fritz Kless. Is there much known about any of these gunsmith jobbers or their Lugers?

Edward Tinker · 01-02-2018, 09:54 PM

For me, nothing more than stories and a comment or two....

I would love to hear more information - as I assume that they were the ones that did some of the refurbished WW1 models that came to the USA but thats conjecture on my part.

Major Tom · 01-03-2018, 07:55 AM

I didn't know that! Thank you

John Sabato · 01-03-2018, 09:13 AM

Great question Dick, perhaps Mauro and VLIM might have some information from their research on their book?

Lugerdoc · 01-03-2018, 09:49 AM

Over the years, I've seen a few of these non-factory reworked (assembled) lugers with the name of gunsmith and German federal E/J and E/N marked on the bottom of the barrel. TH

Dick Herman · 11-08-2018, 07:21 PM

There are many configurations of Luger pistols assembled with mismatched early war components. Some of these mismatched pistols have the country of origin GERMANY stamps. Is it possible that these type pistols could have been assembled in Germany by cottage type gunsmiths for export?

Edward Tinker · 11-08-2018, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Herman

There are many configurations of Luger pistols assembled with mismatched early war components. Some of these mismatched pistols have the country of origin GERMANY stamps. Is it possible that these type pistols could have been assembled in Germany by cottage type gunsmiths for export?

Dick, I am unsure which book I read it in, but its an older one, where it was stated that a lot more lugers were refurbished and put together by a lot more independent shops than you usually hear about. Its always thought that all the 'germany' export marked were by DWM, but I've been told and sure I've read that others did so.
Money was tight to non-existent, so it had to happen.

DonVoigt · 11-09-2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Herman

There are many configurations of Luger pistols assembled with mismatched early war components. Some of these mismatched pistols have the country of origin GERMANY stamps. Is it possible that these type pistols could have been assembled in Germany by cottage type gunsmiths for export?

I agree with Ed, any "legal" import to the US would have had the "Germany" or it would not have been allowed- no matter who "made" it.

I would add that many or some of these small shop or large shop (with trademark) assembled lugers could and likely were "liberated" by GIs in WWII- those would not have the "Germany" mark.

The DWM lugers were already "trademarked" on the mid toggle link.

DavidJayUden · 11-13-2018, 10:18 AM

I dabble in "guild built" German rifles that are basically military rifles sporterized by local gunsmith's. I often wonder if those gunsmiths were not also involved in the repair of Lugers for sale to the GI's, as times were hard and any work was good work. But I've never actually seen a reference tying guild riflesmiths to Lugers.
dju

01-02-2018, 06:37 PM	#1
Dick Herman User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 302 Thanks: 496 Thanked 354 Times in 138 Posts	Luger Cottage Gunsmiths During the 1920s and early 1930s there were German gunsmith jobbers that assembled Lugers for the commercial market. Some of these jobbers include Vono, Anschutz, Frankenschloss and Fritz Kless. Is there much known about any of these gunsmith jobbers or their Lugers?

01-03-2018, 07:55 AM	#3
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 481 Thanks: 531 Thanked 226 Times in 123 Posts	I didn't know that! Thank you __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

01-03-2018, 09:13 AM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Great question Dick, perhaps Mauro and VLIM might have some information from their research on their book? __________________ 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..."*

01-03-2018, 09:49 AM	#5
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	Over the years, I've seen a few of these non-factory reworked (assembled) lugers with the name of gunsmith and German federal E/J and E/N marked on the bottom of the barrel. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-02-2018, 09:54 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	For me, nothing more than stories and a comment or two.... I would love to hear more information - as I assume that they were the ones that did some of the refurbished WW1 models that came to the USA but thats conjecture on my part.

11-08-2018, 07:21 PM	#6
Dick Herman User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 302 Thanks: 496 Thanked 354 Times in 138 Posts	There are many configurations of Luger pistols assembled with mismatched early war components. Some of these mismatched pistols have the country of origin GERMANY stamps. Is it possible that these type pistols could have been assembled in Germany by cottage type gunsmiths for export?

11-13-2018, 10:18 AM	#9
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I dabble in "guild built" German rifles that are basically military rifles sporterized by local gunsmith's. I often wonder if those gunsmiths were not also involved in the repair of Lugers for sale to the GI's, as times were hard and any work was good work. But I've never actually seen a reference tying guild riflesmiths to Lugers. dju