German Luger Collectibles

1937 Krieghoff SOLD

1937 Kieghoff

The classic Luger manufactured by Krieghoff for the Luftwaffe. This is one of the 10,000 gun initial order by the Luftwaffe and reflects the four digit dates begun from 1936-1945.The barrel is 4" (100mm), 9mm. It has a "U" notch sight on the rear linkage. The first toggle link is marked with the Krieghoff monogram. This is a full rig with an all matching Luger. (1937)

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. Please visit Legal (tabbed) for Conditions of Sale.


This Luger has all matching serial numbers, a 9mm Luger has a 100mm barrel and bears the Krieghoff Suhl logo on the front link. There is a 'v' notch rear sight on the rear link and a full bladed inverted 'v' sight on the front. There is a stock lug. The frame is the new short type with a stock lug and serial numbers on the front of the frame and the side of the receiver. The extractor is marked "Geladen" the German word for loaded. This gun evidences the darker blue and high polish of the Krieghoff standard.

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. With the full serial number on the front of the frame and on the left side of the receiver and then two digit on the locking lever (below), trigger, inside the side plate and throughout the gun.

This Luger has all matching serial numbers, a 9mm Luger has a 100mm barrel and bears the Krieghoff Suhl logo on the front link. There is a 'v' notch rear sight on the rear link and a full bladed inverted 'v' sight on the front. There is a stock lug although no Krieghoffs have ever been shown rith one, we are hoping..

This barrel does have the gauge markings found on the early models (88.6) and is serial numbered to the gun, a practice introduced during the 1936 transition. The magazine matches the gun and bears the Krieghoff proof.

The top of the gun is clearly proofed with the date over the chamber and all the minor proofs are hidde. The serial number is also on the top of ther thumb safety.

Production commenced in the Suhl plant in 1934 and by the end of 1937 the 10,000 contract was completed. This completed the "Early" military contract of which this Luger is a member. While there are very few examples known of the "G" chamber marked date (less than 50 believed produced) they are believed to be the 1934-5 production. The "S" dated chambers were begun in 1935, followed by the "36" and then the full "1936". thereafter the full year dates were used.


Here is the inside of the 1938 Luger and you can see it is clean and has been well cared for over the years. The trigger is serial numbered as well as the rear main axel pin. The action is tight and the barrel is excellent.

H.Krieghoff are said to be the best finished Lugers. As a long established firearms manufacturer the craftsman and level of finish has always been superb making their products highly desirable. This Parabellum's bore is good and the gun does not show evidence of being excessively fired. There is very slight holster wear on the end of the muzzle and the top of the side plate raised portion and side rails. Otherwise it is in excellent + condition. See Kenyon, *Lugers At Random*, P-328

The marking of the rear toggle pin came about in 1932 when in the Heeres-Verordnungsblatt the Reichswehrministerium when on March 17th, 1932 ordered the rear connecting pins to be serial numbered to the guns. Sometimes you will encounter pins that appear to have decimal numbers both before and after 1932. These are 'oversized' pins that were installed by unit armorers. Sometimes marked with the serial numbers and sometimes not. This rear pin does not have the last two digits of the serial number "19".


The toggle is in the most reward position, (full recoil) and with the thumb safety up (ready to fire) the mechanical sear stop is down and the gun will fire upon the next pull of the trigger. Above Righ: The proofs are visale on the breech block and the 2nd toggle link. "Gesichert" is visible and the gun is now 'safe'.

When loaded the rear of the bullet pushes up the extractor and the word GELADEN (Loaded) appears; one can also fee this protrusion in the dark to tell the shooter that a round is chambered.

Military Krieghoff Lugers bear serial numbers of one through five digits without any suffix. They began military production in 1935 with the "G" Code at serial number 1 and continued consecutively upward until approximately 13000 in early 1945. The serial numbers overlapped "variations" as defined by collectors and require some study to be certain the exact variation one is looking at.


As characteristic of the early contract Lugers, the polishing prior to bluing of these pistols was excellent and superior to the other manufacturers processes. These contract pistols were salt blued in a bath of 300°F which produced the uniform premium blue appearance.

Note the Eagle 2 proofs on the breach block, firing pin retainer and the second toggle. Such detail is amazing. Below: The serial number is located on the hidden side of the breech block and under the first and 2nd toggle.


The Eagle 2 is located on the fluted firing pin and on the firing pin spring retainer. The last two digits of the serial number are on the back of the firing pin retainer ..

Aove Left: At the rear of the firing pin retainer are the last two digits of the serial number. Above Right: Characteristic of only the Krieghoff manufacturer is the internal rounding down of trhe center of the toggle. Much discussion has eerged about where the machinery came from that made the Kriefhoff parts but there is no mistaking the difference between Erfurt (rumored source of machines) and the Krieghoff toggle.

As characteristic of the early contract Lugers, the polishing prior to bluing of these pistols was excellent and superior to the other manufacturers processes. These contract pistols were salt blued in a bath of 300°F which produced the uniform premium blue appearance.

Most people believe the Lugers were issued to the pilots and air crews but the seats in most of the aircraft where much too small for the Luger. The bulk of the guns went to the Fallschirmjaeger or German paratroops.


There appears to be at least seven different logos that were used on the Krieghoff over the years. A very early anchor and city was followed by the sword anchor and just the city.

The one on this Luger begins in the 5,500 serial number range and is characterized by the blade being symmetrical and the "I" in Krieghoff is centered over the "S" in Suhl. The bottom of the U is slanted left to right. The left point of the anchor touches the bottom of the left leg of the "H".

Krieghoff workers were truly gunsmiths and the detail work and polishing is what make their guns distinctive. Proof marks and the serial numbers appear "hidden" except for those prescribed by the contract to give the Krieghoff the clean classic look.

It is entirely subjective to give any firearm a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few collectible weapons are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. Any questions or request for additional purchases email to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com This firearm is eligible for transfer to C&R permit holder, even in California. We are registered with CA DOJ for firearms shipment.

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.

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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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