Got me an artillery shooter

[Eugen]

Last week I purchased a complete top end assembly of 1918 Erfurt Artillery. I always wanted an artillery model, and when Lugerdoc posted a top end assembly for sale on the forum I jumped on it. Perhaps this is a story of ‘half of one is better than the whole’. Well, sort of. You see I wanted an artillery model to shoot occasionally. So I didn’t need or want to pay for a perfect one. My plan was to park it on top of my 1939 Mauser, that is numbers matching. Erring on the side of caution about shooting my matching 1939, this looked like the ticket for me. When you see something you want, logic force fits judgment or is that the other way around.

After a careful and through cleaning and adoration session on the shop bench with the artillery top end, I installed it on my 1939 and off I went to the range.

I blissfully put a 100 rounds (of Win WB) down the pipe. I only encountered 2x fail to battery on the first round of a new mag (with 7 rds loaded). Upon racking, the toggle locked open and I couldn’t release the mag. The glitch was resolved with a hard palm slap to the mag bottom and a round would then chamber and the toggled returned to battery. No big deal, as every other aspect went smoothly. I was fairly accurate with it at 15 yards and I am only a mediocre shooter.

I was so excited to shoot this Erfurt/Mauser artillery and it was far more fun than with a 4” barrel. Here are a few photos. Note I tried in vain to correctly orient the photos.

[DonVoigt]

Good for you, Artilleries are great fun to shoot.

Picture software just does not like phone pictures!

[K.Wilhelm]

Good work, Eugene. Now you have to try it at longer range which is where the Artillery model really "shines". Also, find a repro Artillery stock for real fun! And while you are at it get a Luger frame or poor condition Luger (cheap) for your Artillery. Bill

[Eugen]

Originally Posted by K.Wilhelm

Good work, Eugene. Now you have to try it at longer range which is where the Artillery model really "shines". Also, find a repro Artillery stock for real fun! And while you are at it get a Luger frame or poor condition Luger (cheap) for your Artillery. Bill

Bill, thanks. I am having fun with my 'made up' artillery. Do you have a recommended source for a repo stock? Link? I want the best repo junk.

[K.Wilhelm]

Eugene- I got mine from Gun Broker some time ago. Why don't you post in want to buy on both Luger forums? Bill

[Desperado]

Of course, after getting a stock to fit your Artillery you will also need to get the snail drum. The GT tuned reproduction from Numrich should do nicely ( see posts on this project by GT and Don Voigt). The only problem is it gets expensive putting 32 rounds down range, rapid fire.

[Edward Tinker]

Excellent looking shooter artillery!!

An Erfurt 1914 was my first luger and is still my go to shooter, much more accurate than me.

Expect to pay around $125-$180 for a repro stock, you come across them every now and then.

Ed

[Eugen]

Originally Posted by K.Wilhelm

Eugene- I got mine from Gun Broker some time ago. Why don't you post in want to buy on both Luger forums? Bill

Great idea; I might just do that. Thank you.

Originally Posted by Desperado

Of course, after getting a stock to fit your Artillery you will also need to get the snail drum. The GT tuned reproduction from Numrich should do nicely ( see posts on this project by GT and Don Voigt). The only problem is it gets expensive putting 32 rounds down range, rapid fire.

Oh, yes! That combo looks compelling.

I have recently been in touch with G.T. about his revised version that is underdevelopment. It would be high on my 'want' list. Thanks for the photo. Now I am hooked.

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Excellent looking shooter artillery!!

An Erfurt 1914 was my first luger and is still my go to shooter, much more accurate than me.

Expect to pay around $125-$180 for a repro stock, you come across them every now and then.

Ed

Ed, thanks for the repop price range. That is helpful to know as I begin my search.