Aaron's First Erfurt <img BORDER="0" src='http://boards.rennlist.com/luger/pic.gif'>

Aaron · 01-22-2002, 09:46 PM

The weekend before last I found and bought my first Erfurt at a little gun show in Arizona. It is dated 1917, 99.9% finish, completely mint inside, with two matching magazines, also in mint condition. All this came in a superb light brown 1918 holster stamped on back Kernklager & Cie, 1918, Neu-Ulm, above a crown over L, and clearly stamped inside flap is Ã¢??B.A.XIÃ¢?Â. The grips looked so new I had to take them off before buying the piece to convince myself they were original, and I found them to be crisply stamped with Erfurt proofs and matching numbers. I didn't steal it, but it was a very fair price, especially since I understand minty Erfurts are very scarce, let alone with two matching mags. Just thought I share my pleasure with you all.

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/Erfurt.JPG

Thor · 01-22-2002, 09:56 PM

Sounds almost too good to be true! I would expect the high point on the sideplate to show a little more wear compensurate with the left rail wear. The grips are really nice! It appears that the left grip back pulls away from the frame a little. I dont have any Erfurts so I dont know if this is normal, but I doubt it. REally hard to evaluate from a picture. What does the safety paint look like? Getting it with a nice vintage holster is a real coupe. The two matching magazines are almost unheard of. Congrats! I must say the holster is gorgeous! ~Thor~

01-22-2002, 10:06 PM

Thor is right about that! Pretty Erfurt. And you don't see them as often as a Mauser or DWM, that is for sure.

Ed

01-22-2002, 10:11 PM

Congratulations! It looks great. Tell the truth. Will you shoot it?

Lonnie Zimmerman · 01-22-2002, 10:47 PM

Aaron; FABULOUS!!

Lonnie

Bob in AZ · 01-22-2002, 10:54 PM

What AZ show did you get this at? Looks like a nice one slipped by me....

Bob

Thor · 01-22-2002, 10:58 PM

Obviously Luger Forum Main Page Material, that is assuming you can submit it with a good history of Erfurt Lugers to Dok! Really outstanding photo! ~Thor~

01-23-2002, 10:15 AM

ok aaron, give me the goods..how much? it looks great. hope i can find one as nice.

01-23-2002, 10:35 AM

VERRRRY NICE AARON!!!!!!!!! I LOVE ERFURTS, ESPECIALLY IN THAT CONDITION!

TIM

Aaron · 01-23-2002, 10:39 AM

No, I will never shoot it! I can barely bring myself to handle it! The show was in Yuma, and the next show there is March 9-10. Cost was $1,400. Amazing how such a well preserved piece can turn up for sale in the hands of a non-collector.

John Sabato · 01-23-2002, 01:04 PM

and I don't think you paid too much either...

regards,

John

Hugh · 01-23-2002, 01:46 PM

Beautiful, Aaron, even a cheapskate like me would be tempted at that price

bill m · 01-23-2002, 03:25 PM

Hi,

Looks like a very nice Erfurt. The magazines are the most important part of a complete rig in my opinion. The connecting pins are usually blue on these Imperial magazines. The numbers on the bases should be exactly the same and show some wear and age, scrapes and scratches. The added value comes from the two matching magazines which are the easiest to manipulate. Your rig looks nice. Congratulations.

Lonnie Zimmerman · 01-23-2002, 04:55 PM

01-23-2002, 06:27 PM

Well gentlemen, I must admit that, even for a ranking amateur in Luger collecting, that Erfurt picture made me an instant adept!

By the way, some of you seem to prefer Erfurts to some other ones; is it because of their rarity or some other characteristics?

I would like to know your feelings on this one:

Lately, while visiting a friend in Quebec city, he opened one of his monster safes and showed me... a very nice 1917 Erfurt P-08, 85-90% original finish remaining, no scratches, nice clean bore, all matching numbers and original magazine! And I think, but I'm not sure, there were some British proof marks on it.

I do not know if he has the holster or another magazine but I happily complimented him for his find.

He told me that he bought it long ago, never had the time to take it to the range (he has too many guns!)and that he was considering selling it. He also told me that he would part with it for $350 (Canadian!).

Well, you guessed it, I put a big option on it verrry fast!

Now, if some of you could tell me more on these pistols, it would be very nice of you.

P.F.

Kyrie · 01-23-2002, 08:14 PM

Hi Aaron,

Well done - that's a crisp Luger

Best regards,

Kyrie

01-23-2002, 11:52 PM

C$350 seems to be about the going price up there...I am told they cannot sell them to another Canuck as the barrel is not [quite] 4 inches long and their new laws outlaw [pun] guns with barrels shorter than 4.1 inches and all .25 and .32 cal. guns....so, all the 4 inch revolvers are history! and the 32-20, 25-20 etc fall into the same bag!

The mounties will want to see import papers before they will allow him to ship, too.

Of course, if the gun is not 'papered', then anything can happen........and, probably will!

The Shadow Knows!

hehehehehehehehehe

01-24-2002, 10:17 AM

Well, all I can say is that at the rate our canadian $ is going, it will be the cheapest Luger in a few months!

On the Kanadian firearms law (C-68) there is a provision for the people owning a prohibited class firearm (such as any pistol with a 4" and less barrel, .32 and .25 calibers, and a host of other firearms), so they can sell these to people having the same "grand-father" rights or, by the same token, buy prohibited firearms from them (!!?!). Yes, a mere 1/16th of an inch can make a weapon a forbidden one... You can't possibly hide a Model 1911 in your pants but a Luger, yes, cant'you?. Er...well, that's about all the reasoning behind that law...

And If somebody wants to sell a pistol or any firearm to another on the other side of the frontier, that is easy: you just fax to your nearest firearms registrar a request for transporting that firearm, stating the day of the transport and the point of entry in the U.S.: after a while they fax you back the papers and that's all. What goes about once you are out of the country do not interest them...

Some "wild and crazy guys" have taken advantage of that quirk to de-register their pistols or prohibited firearms in that way: once you come back in Kanada, you are no longer the owner of the firearm so you won't be required to handover your gun should a confiscation law be passed.

It's beginning to look like "not so Great-Britain" around here.

Keep a watchful eye to the North: it's the antigun legislation test laboratory of North America.

By the way, my question on Erfurt Lugers still holds.

01-22-2002, 09:46 PM	#1
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Aaron's First Erfurt The weekend before last I found and bought my first Erfurt at a little gun show in Arizona. It is dated 1917, 99.9% finish, completely mint inside, with two matching magazines, also in mint condition. All this came in a superb light brown 1918 holster stamped on back Kernklager & Cie, 1918, Neu-Ulm, above a crown over L, and clearly stamped inside flap is Ã¢??B.A.XIÃ¢?Â. The grips looked so new I had to take them off before buying the piece to convince myself they were original, and I found them to be crisply stamped with Erfurt proofs and matching numbers. I didn't steal it, but it was a very fair price, especially since I understand minty Erfurts are very scarce, let alone with two matching mags. Just thought I share my pleasure with you all. http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/Erfurt.JPG

01-22-2002, 09:56 PM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt Sounds almost too good to be true! I would expect the high point on the sideplate to show a little more wear compensurate with the left rail wear. The grips are really nice! It appears that the left grip back pulls away from the frame a little. I dont have any Erfurts so I dont know if this is normal, but I doubt it. REally hard to evaluate from a picture. What does the safety paint look like? Getting it with a nice vintage holster is a real coupe. The two matching magazines are almost unheard of. Congrats! I must say the holster is gorgeous! ~Thor~

01-22-2002, 10:06 PM	#3
66mustang Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt Thor is right about that! Pretty Erfurt. And you don't see them as often as a Mauser or DWM, that is for sure. Ed

01-22-2002, 10:11 PM	#4
R. Grady/roadkill Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt Congratulations! It looks great. Tell the truth. Will you shoot it?

01-22-2002, 10:47 PM	#5
Lonnie Zimmerman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 523 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt Aaron; FABULOUS!! Lonnie

01-22-2002, 10:54 PM	#6
Bob in AZ User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Just what little show? What AZ show did you get this at? Looks like a nice one slipped by me.... Bob

01-22-2002, 10:58 PM	#7
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt Obviously Luger Forum Main Page Material, that is assuming you can submit it with a good history of Erfurt Lugers to Dok! Really outstanding photo! ~Thor~

01-23-2002, 10:15 AM	#8
tom collins Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt ok aaron, give me the goods..how much? it looks great. hope i can find one as nice.

01-23-2002, 10:35 AM	#9
TIMOTHY CANNEY Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt VERRRRY NICE AARON!!!!!!!!! I LOVE ERFURTS, ESPECIALLY IN THAT CONDITION! TIM

01-23-2002, 10:39 AM	#10
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt No, I will never shoot it! I can barely bring myself to handle it! The show was in Yuma, and the next show there is March 9-10. Cost was $1,400. Amazing how such a well preserved piece can turn up for sale in the hands of a non-collector.

01-23-2002, 01:04 PM	#11
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Really Nice Aaron! What a great find! and I don't think you paid too much either... regards, John

01-23-2002, 01:46 PM	#12
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt Beautiful, Aaron, even a cheapskate like me would be tempted at that price

01-23-2002, 03:25 PM	#13
bill m User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 385 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt Hi, Looks like a very nice Erfurt. The magazines are the most important part of a complete rig in my opinion. The connecting pins are usually blue on these Imperial magazines. The numbers on the bases should be exactly the same and show some wear and age, scrapes and scratches. The added value comes from the two matching magazines which are the easiest to manipulate. Your rig looks nice. Congratulations.

01-23-2002, 04:55 PM	#14
Lonnie Zimmerman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 523 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt (EOM)

01-23-2002, 06:27 PM	#15
Pierre Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt Well gentlemen, I must admit that, even for a ranking amateur in Luger collecting, that Erfurt picture made me an instant adept! By the way, some of you seem to prefer Erfurts to some other ones; is it because of their rarity or some other characteristics? I would like to know your feelings on this one: Lately, while visiting a friend in Quebec city, he opened one of his monster safes and showed me... a very nice 1917 Erfurt P-08, 85-90% original finish remaining, no scratches, nice clean bore, all matching numbers and original magazine! And I think, but I'm not sure, there were some British proof marks on it. I do not know if he has the holster or another magazine but I happily complimented him for his find. He told me that he bought it long ago, never had the time to take it to the range (he has too many guns!)and that he was considering selling it. He also told me that he would part with it for $350 (Canadian!). Well, you guessed it, I put a big option on it verrry fast! Now, if some of you could tell me more on these pistols, it would be very nice of you. P.F.

01-23-2002, 08:14 PM	#16
Kyrie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 212 Times in 101 Posts	Re: Aaron's First Erfurt Hi Aaron, Well done - that's a crisp Luger Best regards, Kyrie

01-23-2002, 11:52 PM	#17
The Shadow Knows Guest Posts: n/a	Frozen North prices C$350 seems to be about the going price up there...I am told they cannot sell them to another Canuck as the barrel is not [quite] 4 inches long and their new laws outlaw [pun] guns with barrels shorter than 4.1 inches and all .25 and .32 cal. guns....so, all the 4 inch revolvers are history! and the 32-20, 25-20 etc fall into the same bag! The mounties will want to see import papers before they will allow him to ship, too. Of course, if the gun is not 'papered', then anything can happen........and, probably will! The Shadow Knows! hehehehehehehehehe

01-24-2002, 10:17 AM	#18
Pierre Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Frozen North prices Well, all I can say is that at the rate our canadian $ is going, it will be the cheapest Luger in a few months! On the Kanadian firearms law (C-68) there is a provision for the people owning a prohibited class firearm (such as any pistol with a 4" and less barrel, .32 and .25 calibers, and a host of other firearms), so they can sell these to people having the same "grand-father" rights or, by the same token, buy prohibited firearms from them (!!?!). Yes, a mere 1/16th of an inch can make a weapon a forbidden one... You can't possibly hide a Model 1911 in your pants but a Luger, yes, cant'you?. Er...well, that's about all the reasoning behind that law... And If somebody wants to sell a pistol or any firearm to another on the other side of the frontier, that is easy: you just fax to your nearest firearms registrar a request for transporting that firearm, stating the day of the transport and the point of entry in the U.S.: after a while they fax you back the papers and that's all. What goes about once you are out of the country do not interest them... Some "wild and crazy guys" have taken advantage of that quirk to de-register their pistols or prohibited firearms in that way: once you come back in Kanada, you are no longer the owner of the firearm so you won't be required to handover your gun should a confiscation law be passed. It's beginning to look like "not so Great-Britain" around here. Keep a watchful eye to the North: it's the antigun legislation test laboratory of North America. By the way, my question on Erfurt Lugers still holds.