Nazi-era Rework

Doubs · 12-19-2002, 11:02 PM

Here are some pictures of a Nazi-era rework Luger. The pistol is a first issue 1906 Navy, altered, and reworked into a commercial .30 caliber sometime after Jan., 1940 by Franken & Lunenschloss of Suhl. The name stamped on the pistol is "Frankenschloss", a contraction of the two names. Herr Reinhard Kornmayer was kind enough to send me copies of some documents he has in his files and one is a letter dated May, 1941, offering Mauser pistols in cal. 7.63 at RM. 30; Parabellum-Pistolen (used condition) at RM. 30 or Parabellum-Pistolen in new condition for RM. 40. I find it interesting that F&L were still able to offer Lugers as late as mid-1941 for commercial sale.

Note the E/N & E/J proofs that were not in use until January, 1940 and forward. (Post 1939) Also note the E/N on the breechblock which is a replacement.

Dieter08 · 12-20-2002, 10:47 AM

I saw an advertisement where Frankenschloss searched any kind of luger to sell it on the privat market. I think they received and sold your gun because it is in cal. 7,65. That's no Wehrmacht-caliber and so i think they could sell it. Nice gun! <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

drbuster · 12-20-2002, 09:50 PM

Thanks for posting the photos Doubs. Very interesting markings. Almost identical to the Anschutz ones except, of course, the names "Anschutz" versus "Frankenschloss". I don't believe that Anschutz reworked anything else except standard 4" DWM's, but that info is from Kenyon's book only and may prove to be wrong. [img]wink.gif[/img]

Doubs · 12-20-2002, 10:29 PM

[quote]Originally posted by Dieter08:
<strong>I saw an advertisement where Frankenschloss searched any kind of luger to sell it on the privat market. I think they received and sold your gun because it is in cal. 7,65. That's no Wehrmacht-caliber and so i think they could sell it. Nice gun! <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

I tend to agree with you, Dieter. The "letter" I mention is actually more of a price list and description than anything else, I believe, but my German isn't up to translating it properly. I would think that obtaining ammunition in 9mm would be a problem for civilians by mid-1941. 7.65mm cartridges should have been easier to find. Just a guess.

Doubs · 12-20-2002, 10:36 PM

[quote]Originally posted by Herbert M. Fisher:
<strong>Thanks for posting the photos Doubs. Very interesting markings. Almost identical to the Anschutz ones except, of course, the names "Anschutz" versus "Frankenschloss".</strong><hr></blockquote>

Herbert, I'm glad you saw my post and the pictures. I thought you'd find them interesting. IMO, the quality of workmanship displayed in the rework is excellent. The gunsmiths who worked for Frankenschloss were apparently skilled craftsmen. The late Nazi-era reworks are interesting to me and not often seen as far as I know.

12-19-2002, 11:02 PM	#1
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	Nazi-era Rework Here are some pictures of a Nazi-era rework Luger. The pistol is a first issue 1906 Navy, altered, and reworked into a commercial .30 caliber sometime after Jan., 1940 by Franken & Lunenschloss of Suhl. The name stamped on the pistol is "Frankenschloss", a contraction of the two names. Herr Reinhard Kornmayer was kind enough to send me copies of some documents he has in his files and one is a letter dated May, 1941, offering Mauser pistols in cal. 7.63 at RM. 30; Parabellum-Pistolen (used condition) at RM. 30 or Parabellum-Pistolen in new condition for RM. 40. I find it interesting that F&L were still able to offer Lugers as late as mid-1941 for commercial sale. Note the E/N & E/J proofs that were not in use until January, 1940 and forward. (Post 1939) Also note the E/N on the breechblock which is a replacement.

12-20-2002, 10:47 AM	#2
Dieter08 User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 56 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I saw an advertisement where Frankenschloss searched any kind of luger to sell it on the privat market. I think they received and sold your gun because it is in cal. 7,65. That's no Wehrmacht-caliber and so i think they could sell it. Nice gun! <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

12-20-2002, 09:50 PM	#3
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Thanks for posting the photos Doubs. Very interesting markings. Almost identical to the Anschutz ones except, of course, the names "Anschutz" versus "Frankenschloss". I don't believe that Anschutz reworked anything else except standard 4" DWM's, but that info is from Kenyon's book only and may prove to be wrong. [img]wink.gif[/img]

12-20-2002, 10:29 PM	#4
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	[quote]Originally posted by Dieter08: <strong>I saw an advertisement where Frankenschloss searched any kind of luger to sell it on the privat market. I think they received and sold your gun because it is in cal. 7,65. That's no Wehrmacht-caliber and so i think they could sell it. Nice gun! <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote> I tend to agree with you, Dieter. The "letter" I mention is actually more of a price list and description than anything else, I believe, but my German isn't up to translating it properly. I would think that obtaining ammunition in 9mm would be a problem for civilians by mid-1941. 7.65mm cartridges should have been easier to find. Just a guess.

12-20-2002, 10:36 PM	#5
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 770 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	[quote]Originally posted by Herbert M. Fisher: <strong>Thanks for posting the photos Doubs. Very interesting markings. Almost identical to the Anschutz ones except, of course, the names "Anschutz" versus "Frankenschloss".</strong><hr></blockquote> Herbert, I'm glad you saw my post and the pictures. I thought you'd find them interesting. IMO, the quality of workmanship displayed in the rework is excellent. The gunsmiths who worked for Frankenschloss were apparently skilled craftsmen. The late Nazi-era reworks are interesting to me and not often seen as far as I know.