Erfurt Markings

phatrick88 · 07-19-2010, 02:21 AM

Two questions on this 1916 Erfurt. "Gesichert" is not in the white. Does that indicate this gun was reblued, or was it common for Erfurt not to go to this level of detail and the finish is original? Safety bar doesn't seem to be straw nor do the other pieces?

Second.. is the 6/7 the correct for the 6th Company of the 7th Regiment (1922 Weimer Republic?).

George Anderson · 07-19-2010, 07:57 AM

I have found that the enamel high-lite on later Erfurts is almost always gone and may not have been applied in the first place.

Edward Tinker · 07-19-2010, 07:59 AM

Really Geo,

Thats interesting, i always assumed it "wore" off.

thanks,

Ed

Ron Smith · 07-19-2010, 08:33 AM

"Second.. is the 6/7 the correct for the 6th Company of the 7th Regiment?"

6/7 is a provisional unit mark for Reichswehr Company 6 / Infantry Regiment 7. Applied to designate it to the Company and Regiment prior to being issued. Once it had been issued, it would have been fully marked on the front grip strap with the weapon number.

My thought on these types of marks. Where the full mark was not stamped on the grip strap, is that they are possibly very early 1919-1921 markings. Or were armory replacement weapons held in reserve.

I agree with Geo. I've seen many late Erfurts without the paint in the safety marking. This seems to correlate with the poor quality and thin finish found on the later Erfurts.

Ron

George Anderson · 07-19-2010, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Really Geo,

Thats interesting, i always assumed it "wore" off.

thanks,

Ed

Ed, I have a '17 Erfurt that is pretty "minty", only a tiny bit of the enamel remains so I guess it was a matter of poor application.

Norme · 07-19-2010, 10:25 AM

Hi George and Ed, I think it was a matter of poor prep. work, the recessed letters were likely not degreased prior to painting. I've never seen an Erfurt that did not have at least traces of enamel. Regards, Norm

sheepherder · 07-19-2010, 11:37 AM

Norme -

What is that thing in the lanyard loop of your Luger???

FNorm · 07-19-2010, 01:29 PM

I have a 1917 about like Norme's. Traces, but bare metal in the last three letters.

FN

alanint · 07-19-2010, 01:46 PM

Norm has an inventory tag in his lanyard loop. Something MAJOR collectors use to track their vast treasures!
8^)

phatrick88 · 07-19-2010, 02:17 PM

I just bought the gun so I will post pictures when it comes in. 1916 Efurt at 90%+, matched mag, with WWI holster, brought back by a WWII vet for $1150. Finish is original per the seller with straw parts.

sheepherder · 07-19-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Norm has an inventory tag in his lanyard loop. Something MAJOR collectors use to track their vast treasures!
8^)

So he doesn't have to pull hundreds of Lugers out to look for a specific one??? Yes...that makes sense...

Norme · 07-19-2010, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

So he doesn't have to pull hundreds of Lugers out to look for a specific one???

I wish!!!

mrerick · 07-19-2010, 05:25 PM

Is that how straw looks when it ages?

I have a 1916 DWM that I don't think has been refinished with straw that is almost black.

Also, Norm, are those small key tags that you use? What is the source?

Marc

suum cuique · 07-19-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Norm has an inventory tag in his lanyard loop. Something MAJOR collectors use to track their vast treasures!
8^)

Well, I've tried to do this, too.

But I gave up, too much work, didn't know where to start....

Just kiddin'...

Norme · 07-19-2010, 06:43 PM

Hi Marc, Safety levers do turn black over time, caused I believe by acidity present on ones fingers (sauerkraut juice?). I get my indestructible tags from a jewelry supply house, see link. Regards, Norm

http://www.kassoy.com/handwritten-tags/

sheepherder · 07-19-2010, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suum cuique

Well, I've tried to do this, too.

But I gave up, too much work, didn't know where to start....

Interesting...that PFC has what appears to be an artillery Luger in his hand...

That must be the depot where receiver assemblies were switched with frame assemblies in order to annoy future generations of collectors...

FNorm · 07-19-2010, 08:39 PM

NAH! If you look carefully, he's switching magazines...

whcoyote · 10-18-2010, 11:10 PM

I think he's trying to find a nice trophy.

Back in the 1960s, Potomac Arms in Alexandria, VA had bins of P.08s and P.38s that looked like this photo. P.08s were $50 each, P.38s were $35 each - your pick.
Across the street at Interarms, one day, I walked into a warehouse where a guy was at a couple of tables removing cosmoline from P.08s. He had cases and cases of them - Lugers strewn everywhere.
Bob

07-19-2010, 02:21 AM	#1
phatrick88 User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: MN Posts: 54 Thanks: 7 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Erfurt Markings Two questions on this 1916 Erfurt. "Gesichert" is not in the white. Does that indicate this gun was reblued, or was it common for Erfurt not to go to this level of detail and the finish is original? Safety bar doesn't seem to be straw nor do the other pieces? Second.. is the 6/7 the correct for the 6th Company of the 7th Regiment (1922 Weimer Republic?). Attached Thumbnails Last edited by phatrick88; 07-19-2010 at 02:36 PM.

07-19-2010, 08:33 AM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	"Second.. is the 6/7 the correct for the 6th Company of the 7th Regiment?" 6/7 is a provisional unit mark for Reichswehr Company 6 / Infantry Regiment 7. Applied to designate it to the Company and Regiment prior to being issued. Once it had been issued, it would have been fully marked on the front grip strap with the weapon number. My thought on these types of marks. Where the full mark was not stamped on the grip strap, is that they are possibly very early 1919-1921 markings. Or were armory replacement weapons held in reserve. I agree with Geo. I've seen many late Erfurts without the paint in the safety marking. This seems to correlate with the poor quality and thin finish found on the later Erfurts. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

07-19-2010, 10:25 AM	#6
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi George and Ed, I think it was a matter of poor prep. work, the recessed letters were likely not degreased prior to painting. I've never seen an Erfurt that did not have at least traces of enamel. Regards, Norm Attached Thumbnails

07-19-2010, 11:37 AM	#7
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,195 Thanks: 1,411 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	Norme - What is that thing in the lanyard loop of your Luger??? __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

07-19-2010, 02:17 PM	#10
phatrick88 User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: MN Posts: 54 Thanks: 7 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	I just bought the gun so I will post pictures when it comes in. 1916 Efurt at 90%+, matched mag, with WWI holster, brought back by a WWII vet for $1150. Finish is original per the seller with straw parts. Last edited by phatrick88; 07-19-2010 at 06:47 PM.

07-19-2010, 07:57 AM	#2
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,531 Times in 788 Posts	I have found that the enamel high-lite on later Erfurts is almost always gone and may not have been applied in the first place.

07-19-2010, 07:59 AM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	Really Geo, Thats interesting, i always assumed it "wore" off. thanks, Ed

07-19-2010, 01:29 PM	#8
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	I have a 1917 about like Norme's. Traces, but bare metal in the last three letters. FN

07-19-2010, 01:46 PM	#9
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Norm has an inventory tag in his lanyard loop. Something MAJOR collectors use to track their vast treasures! 8^)

07-19-2010, 05:25 PM	#13
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,919 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Is that how straw looks when it ages? I have a 1916 DWM that I don't think has been refinished with straw that is almost black. Also, Norm, are those small key tags that you use? What is the source? Marc

07-19-2010, 06:43 PM	#15
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Marc, Safety levers do turn black over time, caused I believe by acidity present on ones fingers (sauerkraut juice?). I get my indestructible tags from a jewelry supply house, see link. Regards, Norm http://www.kassoy.com/handwritten-tags/ Attached Thumbnails

07-19-2010, 08:39 PM	#17
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	NAH! If you look carefully, he's switching magazines...

10-18-2010, 11:10 PM	#18
whcoyote User Join Date: May 2008 Location: SW Virginia Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	I think he's trying to find a nice trophy. Back in the 1960s, Potomac Arms in Alexandria, VA had bins of P.08s and P.38s that looked like this photo. P.08s were $50 each, P.38s were $35 each - your pick. Across the street at Interarms, one day, I walked into a warehouse where a guy was at a couple of tables removing cosmoline from P.08s. He had cases and cases of them - Lugers strewn everywhere. Bob