A 1911 erfurt with unit markings

[cirelaw]

Unit marking indicates that this pistol was issued to the Imperial German Saxon Train Battalion number 12, 1st Sanitacts Company. This was a stretcher bearer and ambulance company. This battalion would have been attached to the First Saxton Army Corps, number XII(12) in the the German Army. The units were further divided in up to the two Infantry Divisions within the 12th Army Corps. It might have seen active service with either the 23rd or 32nd Infantry Divisions. The 12th Train Batallion was garrisoned in Dresden the capitol of Saxony. Features of this pistol include an added hold-open device as pistols manufactured for the army in 1911 and did not include the hold-open. The modifications included changing the front sight blade. The early pistols were sighted for 100 meters. The new sight blade was for fifty meters. The alterations were made in 1914 at the Erfurt Arsenal although many Saxon issued P08s were not modified. The alteration of sight and hold-open are marked Erfurt inspection proofs, one on the right frame where the pin for the hold-open was set and another on the left flat of the front sight. The pistol also has many Erfurt acceptance stamps on all parts including tthe grip screws. This practice was minimalized in later years of production. Early Erfurt magazines up till 1916 will have two inspection acceptance marks and the last two digits of the serial number. This pistol has an excellant bore, especially for a military pistol one hundred and one years old. This history was included by George Anderson with the gun. Regarding the holster Georges writes: The holster was made by Becker & Co. in Elberfeld. It was originally brown but dyed black on the front according to the German Army directives of 1916. It has a mostly obscured unit mark in the lid and with the date 1912. The rig includes an Erfurt take down and loading tool that is acceptance stamped on it.

[NoncomRetired]

Love History connections................

[cirelaw]

I keep urging George to write a book or two. George writes Luger Biographys!!! Every luger I have bought from Him includes a carefull written description~

[wayne8661]

I am Jealous, I do not own an Erfurht yet and I am especially drawn to the 1908-1913 unit marked models.

Awesome peice of history with a great mark.

Congrats
Wayne

[cirelaw]

The Thirdteenth Commandment, "Thou shalt not covett thy Neighhbors' Lugers" ! TKS

[wayne8661]

I dont recall that one. But it sounds like wise advice.

[Brodie]

Love it!!!!

Great gun

[cirelaw]

First because of the wear pattern the owner was left handed evident from his left thumbprint. The two digits matched the gun. I'm not sure of the other marks! It appears to be some initials on the back of one. The small star like I find very interesting. Thanks to every one for your insight and interest!~~~Eric

[Dick Herman]

Eric,

Very nice rig with interesting history. I have a 1911 Erfurt that may have been used by the same unit as yours.

My 1911 Erfurt has two sets of unit marks, 177.R and crossed out: 12.T.S.1.169. I believe the intact marking is for the 177th Infantry Regiment. The crossed out markings indicate the 12th Train Battalion, Medical Ambulancer, 1st Company, Weapon No. 169.

Your narrative has added more information to the history of my pistol.

Thank you for sharing this information.
Dick

[cirelaw]

Amazing They survived for close to one hundred year. Mine is '8721' Can you post it. Sounds way special! George can help! They are definitly related and some how survived!!!~ '12.T.S.1.65.' FOUR LUGERS DIFFERENT! I wonder if the 2 Germans knew one another?

[Jan C Still]

Eric
Excellent presentation of your 1911 Erfurt unit marked 12.T.S.1.65.
Thanks for posting.
Jan