1936 "36" Date Krieghoff Luger

Archived-NOT FOR SALE
"36" (Early 1936) Krieghoff

This is a very early "36" dated Krieghoff manufactured Luger in a contract of 10,000 for the German Air Force in 1935 and delivered in 1936, 1937. This variation was among the first made by Krieghoff under the contract; later in 1936 the chamber bore the 4 digit "1936" date followed by the full 1936 date. (1414)

Military Krieghoff Lugers bear serial numbers of one through five digits without any suffix. They began military production in 1935 with the "S" 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.


This is an "early 36 Code" 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 500 Lugers were produced in 1935.

This is a transition between the early "S" code with the numbering on the outside of the parts and the "Mid" series where all the parts are numbered on the "inside". Note the early numbering on the exterior of take down lever but the side plate is numbered on the inside. The rear toggle is marked externally and the grips are the fine checkering.


The "Geladen" (Loaded) was an excellent method to tell the shooter if the gun was loaded both by touch at night and sight during existing light. Whenever a round was in the chamber the extractor would be extended above the breech load notifying the shooter.

By the production of the "36" numbering system the barrel now had a barrel gauge, the LWaA Stage 2 marking and the serial number. 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.

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.


The right side displays the Stage I, Stage II and Acceptance stamps on the frame and the barrel. While Mauser abandoned the straw (nitrate) blue process of the trigger, extractor, magazine latch, thumb safety and locking lever in 1937 Krieghoff continued this process throughout the wartime production

Here we see the full four digit serial number on the frame, barrel and magazine bottom which also has a Stage I Eagle 2 proof.

This "36" dated Krieghoff comes with an all matching Parabellum, a 1936 proofed holster, a Krieghoff proofed loading tool and two matching magazines. An unbelievable bring back in almost issue condition.


Note the inside of the holster where we see the Eagle 2 Krieghoff proof


Here is a full illustration of the "36" date and the early Krieghoff logo with the early exterior toggle markings. The bore is excellent, minty with a high shine and strong lands and grooves. " If you are a Krieghoff collector this a jewel; you can see the early variation marking of the serial number on the toggle links.


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.



On the left are the Luftwaffe (L) stamp Eagle Stage 2 and the drooped wing test proof. Right: Early gun numbering was exposed on the frame and became concealed on the locking lever and side plate. The early "36" code also began the brown plastic grips. Below are detail photographs of the minute Krieghoff inspection proofs that are really marvelous and a sign of the craftsmanship of the Krieghoff.


One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Krieghoff production dies is the distinct counter sink to the hole in the toggle, While DWM had a very slight counter sink, Simson and Mauser had none making it easier for the present day collector to detect "parts" guns made up of other components and not Krieghoff manufacture.


The Stage I proof is evident on the bottom of the first toggle and the coupling lever (above) while the last two digits of the serial number appear on the underside of the toggles and on the back of the side plate. The proofs are always found on the firing pin and firing pin retainer (Lower Left).



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

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 was a well kept gun and a treasured part of an extensive Krieghoff collection. The magazine is the rolled nickel with the aluminum base and is very clean. The magazine is proofed with the correct Stage II proof, and matching serial number. The magazine is in excellent condition as is the interior of the gun.

	Here are the matching magazines with the Stage I proof and the serial numbers. On left the rear of the holster where the stitching is still intact with all the leather functional. It is marked with the manufacturers cartouche.
The Krieghoff early logo is characterized by the symmetrical blade, the city of Suhl is slanted to the right and the "U" in Suhl is flat bottomed. The handle of the dagger is ovoid shape and shows the clear lines. This logo is only found on the early series "S" Codes. We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria. If you want more pictures or a detailed shot just email your request. Below are shots of the various parts of the guns and the proof and acceptance marks.

Kurt Student was born on May 12th, 1890. He joined the German Army and received his commission in 1912. In 1913, he transferred into what was to become the Luftwaffe, but was then called the German Army Air Service. During World War One, he served as a reconnaissance pilot and he flew bombers. In 1934 Student joined the Luftwaffe. Student played a key role in the development of the Luftwaffe. In keeping with the whole of General Guderian's Blitzkrieg philosophy,

Student was ordered to form Germany's first ever parachute battalion in 1938. Such a military unit was almost unheard of (though Soviet Russia had been training parachutists in the Red Army) but it was to play a major part in the whole concept of 'lightening war'.

German paratroopers were used with success in the campaign in Norway, Belgium and Holland. In particular, the parachutist attack on Rotterdam all but took the heart out of the Dutch defense, such was its speed and ferocity. However, during the attack on Holland, Student was shot in the head and his injuries were such, that he did not return to duty until January 1941.

The input of Student's parachutists in the various attacks on Western Europe had done a lot to convince Hitler that they were an important aspect of his military. In May 1941, they were used in the attack on Crete. Here, Student's parachutists suffered heavy losses despite their ultimate victory on the Mediterranean island. Despite their actual success in Crete, Hitler was shocked by the number of Student's men who were killed in action and he ordered a halt to their use in any future large-scale military operation.

In 1943, Student ordered Major Harald Mors to plan Operation Oak (Unternehmen Eiche), the successful raid conducted by a special Fallschirmjäger unit to free Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. They landed with gliders and STOL aircraft on a hilltop. The well-known Waffen SS Kommando Otto Skorzeny took part in this operation. Student received the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his role in the operation.

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This is a very hard to find, collector grade "36" Coded Krieghoff identified as being identified with characteristics of the only 500 known produced "36" Code Lugers. Of the 10,000 Krieghoff's in the military contract less than 500 "36" were produced and this fully rigged survivor is one of those beauties. Any questions or requests for additional information to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com