1918 Erfurt Imperial Luger  SOLD

PHOENIX INVESTMENT ARMS - PREMIUM COLLECTOR LUGERS
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This is a 1918 dated Imperial Luger manufactured by the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt. The 1918 Chamber date is the last year of production by Erfurt as the war ended. This is a 9mm Parabellum with a 100mm barrel. Just like it came from the battlefield of WWI.    In 1914 the DWM plant was to make the 4" model (100mm) and Erfurt would make the artillery (200mm) model. After 1915 it was realized that Erfurt with government workers could not produce the quantity of guns necessary and so the majority of production was to come from DWM. However the tooling for the frame never changed and the small mortise at the top of the chamber where the leaf artillery sight would set was cut into all the frames Erfurt made henceforth.        (1199)

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style; displayed on the left side of the receiver, the side plate, the locking bolt, the sear bar safety, the extractor, the forward toggle link, the front of the frame, under the barrel, and on the side of the trigger. This example has all matching numbers.

 

NOTE: Photographs taken today with the high mega-pixel camera show more than we sometimes can see with the human eye. Magnified close-ups show us tool marks and natural surface conditions that one normally doesn't see in the ordinary handling of the weapon.  Photographs are copyrighted, all rights reserved, any extraction, reproduction or display of gun pictures without the express consent of the Phoenix Investment Arms is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

This 1918 Luger is characterized by the 9mm  4" (100mm) barrel and was built without a hold open and utilized the short sear. The rear sight is "V" cut fixed and front dovetailed sight and the frame has the stock lug and hold open device.  This model of the Luger was produced from 1912 for the German Military when the Parabellum was changed to include the hold open and add the stock lug.  The extractor is marked "Geladen" (loaded) and the thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" (safe).

The right side of the receiver displays all the Imperial Army acceptance stamps.  Erfurt's were always very heavily proofed; a delight to study. In 1914 the Erfurt factory stopped production of the 4" barrel and focused on the artillery model (8") and the DWM factory concentrated on the 4" production. This lasted just one year.

 

At the outbreak of WWI the German Army seemed reasonably equipped with the Luger Pistol. The DWM factory in Berlin moved to peak production by 1915 and were producing 700 Parabellums per day; however this didn't meet the requirements for the massive mobilization.

 

On the left is the frame and barrel matching serial numbers. Military Lugers were numbered 1-10000 and then 1a-10000a, 1b-1000b, and so on. To properly identify your Luger always use the full serial number with the alphabet identifier. Magazine on right has one number horizontal, might be the personal expression of the maker or a distraction on the line.

The Erfurt's are the most proofed models of Parabellums. There are inspector marks all over the weapon in a variety of crowed stamps.  Proof marks are well struck and clearly visible.  Serial numbers are everywhere.

Clean and well kept by its owner this Luger has the short sear a Crown RC indicating it was brought back to the arsenal for either repair or replacement of a part.  The barrel is strong with clear lands and grooves.

 

The Erfurt factory was originally located in Saarn and then moved to Erfurt under private ownership. It was then purchased by the Prussian government and produced huge quantities of weapons, estimated to exceed 800,000 before being dismantled by the Allies at the end of the WWI and the machinery then sold to Simson

 

Original grips are finely cut diamond shaped checkering made from walnut or in some cases beech wood. Original grips were serial numbered to the gun and when installed by the Erfurt factory also proofed.

Everyone needs one Erfurt in their collection just to study proof marks. This is a basic collectors gun that has all the study proofs you could ask for. This weapon is designated as a Curios and Relic (C&R) and be sent to those licensed persons. See Kenyon, Lugers At Random Page 168

 

The 1910 Erfurt Imperial Acceptance stamp was the Imperial Eagle with  the cross of peace and the bar of justice, still heraldic in nature as an Imperial proof. The war destroyed vast quantities and these 90 yr old guns that have survived today are treasured in  collections throughout the world.

 

This is a excellent example of the hard to find late War 1918 dated Erfurt Imperial Parabellum  and built by the Royal Erfurt Arsenal for the Imperial Army. We reserve the right to withdraw any firearm from an auction site that is sold over the counter.   Questions to: josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com.   This Luger is offered for $1,895.00 over-the-counter.

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LAYAWAYS:  Sometimes our "significant other" doesn't understand the beauty, craftsmanship and investment potential of one of these investor grade weapons.  In these circumstances where discretion becomes the better part of valor we will accept layaways of up to one year with at least 20% down and some activity occurring monthly to insure that after one year the sale is completed.  Cancellations of layaways forfeit 33% if done within two months, otherwise 100%. You can transfer a layaway to a consignment sale at any time. See "Legal" for exact terms.

 

See Credits, Bibliography, Notices and Disclaimers.

3 Day Return Policy

We honor a three day return policy. We will answer any questions, send you any pictures, as detailed as you want, to insure that what we are showing you is what you want to see, before you buy it.  See Legal.

FIRING ANY WEAPON NEGATES ANY CHANCE OF RETURN!

WARNING: We do not represent these guns as safe to fire. They are not test fired before sale; they are sold as collectibles only. Prior to firing you should have it inspected by a qualified individual and abide by all safety requirements.

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