1945 Krieghoff Post War

1945 Krieghoff Post War SOLD

This is the legendary Krieghoff, one of first post-war made at the Suhl plant after the war ended there. The area was captured by the Americans. Although the town was designated as part of the Soviet zone the Americans occupied it for a time; a sufficient time to continue to produce guns for the US military. This was the last of the Krieghoff Lugers and the fine quality of Krieghoff is still evident. This is a 1945 Krieghoff, made for the American military from over-run parts based on the 10,000 gun contract that was ostensively finished in 1938 with the shipment of the last 50 guns. This is a 1908 Model, 9mm with a 4" (100mm) Barrel. (1909)

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.

Goering 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.

Reichmarshall Hermann Göering as Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) was directly involved in the contract with Heinrich Krieghoff as the corporate head of Reichwerke Hermann Göering which let Luftwaffe contracts.

Göering entered the army in 1914 as an Infantry Lieutenant, before being transferred to the air force as a combat pilot. The last Commander in 1918 of the Richthofen Fighter Squadron, Göering distinguished himself as an air ace, credited with shooting down twenty-two Allied aircraft. Awarded the Pour le Merite and the Iron Cross (First Class), he ended the war as a much decorated pilot and war hero.


No proofs on the exterior of the toggles as during wartime. This is an extraordinary variation of a very rare and seldom seen post-war Krieghoff; among the very first of the post war guns (#56) but with the same level of craftsmanship of the Krieghoff firm delivered before, during and post WWII.

The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and safe is in the down position. The extractor is marked "Geladen". This Luger has all matching numbers. Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style. Gibson reported just 200 dated 1945 Lugers were finished before the factory was overrun by units of the American 11th Division.

The barrel is not numbered, no gauge markings or serial number but the Eagle 2 (Krieghoff proof) is finely struck showing that the barrel was inspected during the war and passed. Grips on 1945 models reveal wooded, the brown, and the black Bakelite grips used by both Mauser and Krieghoff for late war production.

By the end of the war Krieghoff had begun to use the Type IV magazine, as Mauser had left over stocks. They were not proofed as E37 or FXO but were blank with the black or dark brown bottom.

The large font serial numbers only appeared on the post-war Krieghoffs but strangle match the size of some of the Kü magazine markings attributed to the Krieghoff assembly process.


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.



There are believed to be seven different variations of the Krieghoff Logo used during WWII with the first, with just the anchor and "SUHL" (the city of manufacture). One the left is the 1945 version with the "K" on the edge, the "G" centered and "SUHL" with the rounded bottom "U".


Under the first toggle link is another rive pointed star indicating a military reject and then the Eagle 2 proof indicating acceptance. Another part that was first rejected and then accepted that went 'on-line' for future assembly.

7th Company of the 3rd Fegiment Fellshirmjaeger (Paratroopers}.

(Below) Paratroopers towing a 3.7cm PAK 36 anti-tank gun, capable of being towed by motorcycle.


It is believed that after the initial 12 guns were made for the military government officials that further production was provided and these guns began to have further characteristics. It is believed that a total of 245 post war models were assembled before the Americans turned over this portion of Germany to the Russians who then stole the machinery and blew up the plant. There are no surviving records to refer to so the number of guns has been determined by he highest serial known.

The early Eagle 2 appears on the inside of the side plate while (ABOVE RIGHT) the breech block displays the late stylized Eagle 2 proof. These older proofed parts were assembled into weapons after the city of Suhl was captured and before a finalized proofing was established after the war, Also noted is the characteristic indentation inside the grip of the charging toggle, only machined by Krieghoff.

ABOVE LEFT: The serial number is marked in the 'military' manner, exposed on the outside of the locking lever and side plate. ABOVE RIGHT: With the side plate removed one can see the serial number on the trigger; this is an all-matching Parabellum.

Here you can see the highly defined five pointed rejection star which means this Luger was started during the war, failed a inspection and had gone back to the line for some repair before being back on the line for production.

Some people call them the "PX" guns because they were made in the Krieghoff plant by the same craftsmen from surplus parts. Truly a collector's find!

Much of what has been written about the Krieghoff has been done by Randall Gibson in his book "The Krieghoff" Reference is made herein frequently to this book and full credit due.


The inside of this Luger is in Very Good condition. Note the absence of military proofs; this is a very early post war gun made for the occupation forces from Krieghoff parts while the factory was still in United States possession. Someone recognized the value of this gun and it has been well cared for over the last half century.

In August 1945, units of the American 11th Division overran the Krieghoff factory at Suhl. The only damage reported was vandalism and looting by foreign labor celebrating their liberation. There was no resistance to cause damage by the American forces and it had never been bombed due to the inability of the Allied Air Forces to locate the plant. The military governor of Suhl from Sept-Dec 1945 was a Captain from the 563rd AAA Battalion. He documents that several of the craftsmen of Krieghoff were allowed to re-enter the factory and under guard assemble several Luger pistols as gives for the members of the Military Government; you are looking at #56.

This Luger has the five pointed rejection stamp found on mostly the "P" Code and commercial series guns. Mr. Gibson on Page 111 indicates that they are seldom seen on the post-war models but this one, serial #56 may have been made strictly from a rejected commercial receiver and has been so marked. With the other parts showing a variety of military parts this Parabellum is really extraordinary.

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.

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.

Genuine Lugers Sales - Luger History - Luger Accessories - Luger Holsters - Parabellum