Authentic WWI Loading Tool?

thorin6 · 06-01-2006, 08:21 PM

Bought this Loading Tool off ebay for $50 hoping it was not a reproduction. I have been looking for a WWI tool, not a WWII, and this was as close as I've gotten in the past six months to finding one at this price. The width of the tool is 2.5 mm, fits my magazine perfectly, and it has the number 474. stamped on the tool. Now the questions: Is it WWI vintage? Who is the manufacturer? Is the number the original pistol's SN?
Appreciate any help on identifying this tool.

Here is Loading Tool next to one of my magazines:

Here are close-ups of the tool:

John Sabato · 06-02-2006, 09:24 AM

The tool appears to be the right contours for an original... but Your photos do not show the small offset lip inside the hole that is supposed to maintain the connection to the magazine button when it is in use.

If this lip is not present, I would have to judge your tool to be a reproduction... Do you have any other tools with which you can compare the construction of the hole?

thorin6 · 06-02-2006, 02:29 PM

John,
There is an off-set lip inside the hole, I just couldn't get a clear picture of it. This is the only loading tool that I have--I've looked at reproductions at gun shows, and a couple of real ones, and this looks like the latter, except those were of WWII vintage.
The tool fits great on the magazine, with the off-set lip fitting right in behind the button. Other than some minor pitting on the screwdriver end, and some staining of the metal, it seems solid and in good shape.

lugerholsterrepair · 06-02-2006, 02:53 PM

Probably Weimar Police...Jerry Burney

John Sabato · 06-02-2006, 02:53 PM

If the lip is present then the tool is likely genuine original... the number on the tool is also likely the number of the gun it was issued with...

I haven't seen that many tools with the serial number on them, but I have seen some...

Edward Tinker · 06-02-2006, 05:45 PM

As Jerry said, Weimar Police. It was common for some units to put either the serial or the unit weapon number on the tool. I have 2 or 3 tools that match my weimar era police.

A DWM tool will usually not be marked, while a Erfurt tool would have a crown letter on it.

Ed

Heinz · 06-03-2006, 08:07 AM

A couple of pictures of an Erfurt skate key for reference. The lip is vaguely visible.

PS If someone owns the Erfurt matching this number let me know.

policeluger · 06-03-2006, 08:14 AM

A very nice original tool....

Heinz · 06-03-2006, 09:03 PM

Thanks, I keep looking for the Erfurt it goes with, and the holster and . . .

06-01-2006, 08:21 PM	#1
thorin6 User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 43 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Authentic WWI Loading Tool? Bought this Loading Tool off ebay for $50 hoping it was not a reproduction. I have been looking for a WWI tool, not a WWII, and this was as close as I've gotten in the past six months to finding one at this price. The width of the tool is 2.5 mm, fits my magazine perfectly, and it has the number 474. stamped on the tool. Now the questions: Is it WWI vintage? Who is the manufacturer? Is the number the original pistol's SN? Appreciate any help on identifying this tool. Here is Loading Tool next to one of my magazines: Here are close-ups of the tool:

06-02-2006, 09:24 AM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	The tool appears to be the right contours for an original... but Your photos do not show the small offset lip inside the hole that is supposed to maintain the connection to the magazine button when it is in use. If this lip is not present, I would have to judge your tool to be a reproduction... Do you have any other tools with which you can compare the construction of the hole? __________________ 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..."*

06-02-2006, 02:53 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	Probably Weimar Police...Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

06-02-2006, 02:53 PM	#5
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	If the lip is present then the tool is likely genuine original... the number on the tool is also likely the number of the gun it was issued with... I haven't seen that many tools with the serial number on them, but I have seen some... __________________ 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..."*

06-02-2006, 02:29 PM	#3
thorin6 User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 43 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	John, There is an off-set lip inside the hole, I just couldn't get a clear picture of it. This is the only loading tool that I have--I've looked at reproductions at gun shows, and a couple of real ones, and this looks like the latter, except those were of WWII vintage. The tool fits great on the magazine, with the off-set lip fitting right in behind the button. Other than some minor pitting on the screwdriver end, and some staining of the metal, it seems solid and in good shape.

06-02-2006, 05:45 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	As Jerry said, Weimar Police. It was common for some units to put either the serial or the unit weapon number on the tool. I have 2 or 3 tools that match my weimar era police. A DWM tool will usually not be marked, while a Erfurt tool would have a crown letter on it. Ed

06-03-2006, 08:07 AM	#7
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 411 Times in 180 Posts	A couple of pictures of an Erfurt skate key for reference. The lip is vaguely visible. PS If someone owns the Erfurt matching this number let me know.

06-03-2006, 08:14 AM	#8
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	A very nice original tool....

06-03-2006, 09:03 PM	#9
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 411 Times in 180 Posts	Thanks, I keep looking for the Erfurt it goes with, and the holster and . . .