1944 Krieghoff

1944 Krieghoff

This is a very great condition for the 1944 dated Krieghoff manufactured after the initial contract of 10,000 for the German Air Force. The contract began in 1935 and was delivered in 1936 and 1937. This is an all matching Krieghoff Parabellum including the matching magazine. Although produced towards the end of the war it still has the same deep blue of the Krieghoff. The 1944 dated Krieghoff represents only one of two hundred produced. (1851)

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. Before your purchase please read Legal for Conditions of Sale. Thank you for your cooperation.

Reichsmarshal Hermann Goring, Commander of the German Air Force

Born Jan. 12, 1893, Rosenheim, Germany. A veteran of World War I as an ace fighter pilot, he was a recipient of the coveted Pour le M�rite, also known as "the Blue Max". He was the last commander of Jagdgeschwader 1, the fighter wing once led by Manfred von Richthofen, "the Red Baron".

In 1922 he joined the Nazi Party and was given command of the SA. After the abortive Beer Hall Putsch, he escaped to Austria, then returned to Germany (1927) and was elected to the Reichstag. Chosen president of the Reichstag (1932), his power mounted after Adolf Hitler was named chancellor in 1933.

Krieghoff made the armaments for the Luftwaffe and were skilled gun makers. H. Krieghoff of Ulm, Germany, which was founded as Sempert & Krieghoff in 1886, had been producing European hunting guns for more than forty-five years when in 1934 the Luftwaffe announced it was seeking bids for military pistols. It is assumed that Krieghoff had acquired the old Erfurt Luger tooling from Simpson to enable it to contract for only 10,000 Lugers in 9mm. The chamber date places the assembly as an example of the original military contract.


There was a short fall in the deliveries caused by the serialized weapons in the 1 to 10,000 range that failed the proof test (becoming the "P" Codes), and other special guns (Turkish Air Force and Heinrich Krieghoff #1,000 [presentation gun]) being sold or given away prior to the Luftwaffe delivery. The total number delivered in the initial contract to until late in 1937 or early 1938 depending on the authors being read.


This is an "1944" with the following characteristics: Krieghoff trademark logo with the sword/anchor and "HK Suhl". This is a 9mm has a 100mm barrel (4") barrel, a thumb safety lever with safe down marked Gesichert and the extractor is marked GELADEN (loaded). The Luger has a hold open and stock lug. Eagle 2 proofs Stage I and Stage II are found throughout the gun (illustrated below). It has been stated that only 200 Lugers were produced in 1944.

Gibson in The Krieghoff Luger cited known examples of the serial number range of the 1944 dated was between 13,000 and 13,100. This gun is one number below that range so this information comes from examination. Although the original contract was for 10,000 Parabellums to the Luftwaffe and 1937 was supposed to be the year of completion some of the numbers actually ran in 1938. After that the Krieghoff's were assembled out of the overrun on parts for replacements, small orders, armorers and presentation guns.

Randall Gibson wrote in The Krieghoff Parabellum: " The LWaA 1st Acceptance Inspection - Stage I markings are a combination of Early, Mid and Late. This 1944 dated example utilize the LWaA 1st Acceptance Inspection Stage I, Late Stage II and Mid mark."

This is an all matching gun including the magazine. There is a 'v' notch rear sight on the rear link and a full bladed inverted 'v' sight on the front. The Krieghoff Logo appears with the Suhl showing the blade as symmetrical, and the "I" is over the "S" Suhl, the "U" in Suhl is rounded bottom. The right line of "L" in Suhl is on the same plane as the "H" in Krieghoff; the left point of the anchor is below the left leg of the "H" in HK. This particular die logo is only found on the 1944 production is its use otherwise is unexplainable.

The Krieghoff's as Europe's premier gun makers carried this commercial clean look into the Luger contract with the placement of serial numbers in the concealed locations behind the locking lever, one the back of the side plate and inside the toggle links so you don't see the last two numbers of the serial number on the rear toggle.

Although military in reality these fine handguns were made with the same care and precision as commercial Lugers without the usual exposed numbering. Just a clean and beautiful Parabellum

A very close picture of the right proofs of this 1944 Krieghoff. Note the use of both the early and late Stage II proofs indicating that the part had been made at an earlier time but when assembled it was inspected again as evidenced by the Stylized Eagle 2 Proof on the receiver and right rail. This close up also show the high level of machining still evidenced in a late war model without the swirls of polishing but a nice smooth finish of the metal which platforms a good blue appearance of the gun.


Here is the inside of the 1944 Luger and you can see it is clean and has been well cared for over the years. The action is tight and the barrel is excellent.

Barrel to barrel comparisons give you the opportunity to see both sides at once and to compare the minimal number of proofs that would detract from the beauty of this late war Krieghoff. All the proofs outlined in Randal Gibson's book "The Krieghoff Parabellum" are clearly represented on this Luger.

The rear of the side plate has the last two digits of the serial number and the distinct Eagle 6 along with the proofed firing pin and firing pin retainer. On the side of the breach block is the Stage II proof and there are no numbers on the rear main axel pin which is characteristic of the Krieghoff production.

Production commenced in the Suhl plant in 1934 and by the end of 1937 the 10,000 contract was completed. All the serial numbers were sequential. As usual a number of pre-fabricated component parts were made in Suhl for spare parts and were proofed when inspected (1937).

While there are very few examples known of the "G" chamber marked date (less than 50 believed produced) they are believed to be the 1935 production. The "S" dated chambers were begun in 1936, followed by the "36" and then the "1936" after which Krieghoff used the full date (4 digits). It is estimated that Krieghoff manufactured 12200 of the P.08 for the Luftwaffe.

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.

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.


Luftwaffe ME 262 - The worlds first operational jet fighter.
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On the right side of the Krieghoff there are the old and new Stage I and Stage II proofs which suggests the part was made and proofed earlier and then proofed with the current Stage II (Stylized) proofs. Krieghoff made it a tradition to conceal the serial numbers and keep the gun as clean as possible.

Note the hidden last two digits of the serial numbers and the Eagle 6 proofs on the toggles and links. The magazine is a Code 122 which is the correct black bottom magazine for these late Krieghoffs'.

In 1934 the Luftwaffe announced it was seeking bids for military pistols. It is assumed that Krieghoff had acquired the old Erfurt Luger tooling from Simpson to enable it to contract for only 10,000 Lugers in 9mm. The chamber date places the assembly as an example of the original military contract. 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.

Here you can see the extractor in the raised position where you can visually tell it is "Loaded" and feel it in the dark. with the "Geladen" exposed and safety off (as in the above picture) the gun is ready to fire. Also pointed out is the late Stage II proof on the barrel and breach block.


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". hereafter the full year dates were used.

This is a very hard to find, collector grade "1944" Krieghoff all matching one of 200 Parabellums made by Krieghoff in 1944. This all matching gun comes with a Code 122 proofed Haenel magazine. Any questions or requests for additional pictures please email josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com. This gun may be withdrawn without notice for in-store sale. We reserve the right to sell any internet offering to a direct sale and do not warrant the availability of any firearm that does not have a cash deposit. This variation is valued at $16,500 in the Blue Book of Gun Values [35th Edition]; our offering for this rare Krieghoff is $14,850.00.

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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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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