Short Sear vs Long Sear

siegersallee · 08-24-2015, 07:21 AM

Hi all,

I have been looking for an explanation of why Erfurt and DWM seem to have changed from manufacturing Lugers with the long sear to short sear.

I believe, based upon my own Lugers, those made before 1914 have the long sear, those after 1914 the short. While some 1914s have the long and others the short. I guess this transition took place gradually in 1914.

Richard

DonVoigt · 08-24-2015, 08:35 AM

Why? So the pistol can be charged with the safety "on".

When sounds right, and many/most of the earlier ones were modified; so one does not
see them very often.

Norme · 08-24-2015, 08:51 AM

The relieved sear was introduced in early 1916.
Norm

Ron Wood · 08-24-2015, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Why? So the pistol can be charged with the safety "on".

This is not quite exact. The relieved sear bar is a safety measure that is true. But, it is meant to allow clearing the chamber of a loaded weapon with the safety on. If the striker (firing pin) is not already set you cannot cycle the action with the safety on, the sear bar will not ride up over the lug on the striker. Therefore you can't load/charge the weapon with the safety on.

mrerick · 08-24-2015, 09:55 AM

I can confirm the 1916 transition date. My DWM from early in 1916 is not relieved, and the one from later 1916 is relieved.

"A" block:

"N" block:

Marc

Sergio Natali · 08-24-2015, 10:21 AM

Richard

If I'm not wrong the "short sear" enabled the pistol to be cocked with the safety on.
The short sear was invented by George Luger in 1915 and they started to apply it to all his pistols from the year after.
My 2 cents.

Rgds

Sergio

Ron Wood · 08-24-2015, 10:31 AM

Sergio,
See my post above regarding cocking the pistol with the safety on.

Ron

siegersallee · 08-24-2015, 01:18 PM

Hmmm...I have a 1914 Erfurt (4" barrel) with a short (relieved sear).
Did they go back and retrofit some of the pre-1916s like they did the hold-opens?

Aesthetically, I like the long sear for looks especially with the safety on.
I like the way the safety abuts the sear but, that is just me.

Ron Wood · 08-24-2015, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siegersallee

Hmmm...I have a 1914 Erfurt (4" barrel) with a short (relieved sear).
Did they go back and retrofit some of the pre-1916s like they did the hold-opens?

Yes, some by relieving the existing sear bar and some by replacing it altogether.

DonVoigt · 08-24-2015, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

This is not quite exact. The relieved sear bar is a safety measure that is true. But, it is meant to allow clearing the chamber of a loaded weapon with the safety on. If the striker (firing pin) is not already set you cannot cycle the action with the safety on, the sear bar will not ride up over the lug on the striker. Therefore you can't load/charge the weapon with the safety on.

Makes sense, now that I have thought on it.
IF you could charge with the safety on, the safety would not
prevent a discharge, DUH!

Note to self, think thin write!

08-24-2015, 07:21 AM	#1
siegersallee User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 292 Thanks: 107 Thanked 57 Times in 34 Posts	Short Sear vs Long Sear Hi all, I have been looking for an explanation of why Erfurt and DWM seem to have changed from manufacturing Lugers with the long sear to short sear. I believe, based upon my own Lugers, those made before 1914 have the long sear, those after 1914 the short. While some 1914s have the long and others the short. I guess this transition took place gradually in 1914. Richard __________________ "Für Gott, Kaiser, und Vaterland" -seeking: Erfrut Mag 1229 (no script)

08-24-2015, 09:55 AM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	I can confirm the 1916 transition date. My DWM from early in 1916 is not relieved, and the one from later 1916 is relieved. "A" block: "N" block: Marc Attached Thumbnails __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-24-2015, 10:21 AM	#6
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Richard If I'm not wrong the "short sear" enabled the pistol to be cocked with the safety on. The short sear was invented by George Luger in 1915 and they started to apply it to all his pistols from the year after. My 2 cents. Rgds Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

08-24-2015, 10:31 AM	#7
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,035 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,242 Times in 1,719 Posts	Sergio, See my post above regarding cocking the pistol with the safety on. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-24-2015, 01:18 PM	#8
siegersallee User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 292 Thanks: 107 Thanked 57 Times in 34 Posts	Hmmm...I have a 1914 Erfurt (4" barrel) with a short (relieved sear). Did they go back and retrofit some of the pre-1916s like they did the hold-opens? Aesthetically, I like the long sear for looks especially with the safety on. I like the way the safety abuts the sear but, that is just me. __________________ "Für Gott, Kaiser, und Vaterland" -seeking: Erfrut Mag 1229 (no script)

08-24-2015, 08:35 AM	#2
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,355 Times in 2,041 Posts	Why? So the pistol can be charged with the safety "on". When sounds right, and many/most of the earlier ones were modified; so one does not see them very often.

08-24-2015, 08:51 AM	#3
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	The relieved sear was introduced in early 1916. Norm