1943 Krieghoff Luftwaffe Luger

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. Hermann Göering

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.

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.

Contrary to popular opinion that pilots carried the Luger the principle recipient of the Krieghoff Luger was the German Paratroops ( Fallschirjager) A Luftwaffe general, Kurt Student, was given charge of airborne training. The Parabellum was the weapon of choice.



Here you can see the extractor marked GELADEN (Loaded) which raised up when a round was in the chamber. This was visible in light and you can feel the raised piece in the dark. You can see the new Stage II proof (stylized) on the receiver and the last two digits of the serial number on the sear stop.

On the right size one can observe both Stage II (LWaA 2) proofs and lend support to the published information that all the parts were made in 1937 and when the guns were finally assembled beyond the 1937 (10,000 order) after the adoption of the newer more stylized Stage II in 1938 was applied at the time the later guns were delivered.

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. It has been reported that after the initial production was completed in 1937; in 1938 after the German Anschluss in Austrian the machinery was moved to a subsidiary plant in Kufstein, Austria and no more parts were produced at Suhl.

This relative scarcity contributes to the spiraling costs of the Krieghoff over the last ten years with good examples in prime condition very difficult to find. The 1943 remains very elusive to the collector of Krieghoff's. You are seeing one of 300 in premium condition from the battlefield of WWII.


Above: Krieghoff marked the inside of the side plate much like the civilian models. The serial numbers match throughout the gun and the magazine is matched to the Luger. The locking lever is found on the bottom of the lever. Proof marks were extensive on the contract Krieghoffs, with both Stage I and Stage II acceptance proofs throughout the Luger. Hidden under the side plate is the Eagle 2 proof on the parts serial number. Below the serial numbered firing pin, (fluted new style).


The Eagle 2 Proofs and the last two numbers about the serial number appear in a hidden manner throughout the weapon. Under the barrel is the gauge markings (horizontally) along with the matching serial numbers along with the two early Eagle 2 proofs.

This serial number falls in the range of know 1943 Krieghoffs (11328-11750). The barrel is serial numbered to the receiver and the magazine (a 122 proofed, utilized by Krieghoff in lieu of the FXO magazines by Mauser.) The early magazine bottoms had the Eagle 2 Krieghoff proof facing forward and later it was turned over to read the same left to right as the serial number. There is no known reason for this.


Proof marks were extensive on the contract Krieghoffs, with both Stage I and Stage II acceptance proofs throughout the Luger. The breech block has the serial number on the side along with the new Stage II proofs while the last toggle link displays the Eagle 2 Krieghoff proof and no serial number on the rear of the 2nd toggle line but under the toggle. On the right side is the early acceptance proof, again indicating that this part was inspected prior to 1939.

FALLSCHIRMJÄGER were the German paratroops who were a part of the Luftwaffe and (as we can see in the pictures above) who were armed with the Luger.


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. This Logo appears as type C-3 (Gibson Page 84) with the symmetrical blade, the "I" is centered over the "S", the "U" has a flat bottom, the left point of the anchor is well outside the "H" in "HK" and the arms of the anchor have the smaller die radius. Another example of the genuineness of this war survivor. Since the Krieghoff is one of the most coveted by the collectors many people attempt to "part" these guns together or convert another model to a Krieghoff. Close examination usually reveals these fakes.

Krieghoff's are the most desirable among collectors. Every collection has a basic Krieghoff and the more advanced have the "year" variations of which this is one of the finest in the very rare 1943 series variation.

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 very good and the gun does not show evidence of being excessively fired. There is very very minimal 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

Above and below you can see the last two digits of the serial number on the 1st and 2nd toggle and the firing pin. The early Stage II proof is present on the coupling link.

The principle recipient of the Krieghoff Luger was the German Paratroops (Fallschirmjäger) A Luftwaffe general, Kurt Student, was given charge of airborne training. The Parabellum was the weapon of choice and issue.

The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) raised a variety of airborne light infantry (Fallschirmjäger) units. German paratroopers were part of the German Air Force rather than the Heer (German Army). Starting from a small collection of Fallschirmjäger battalions at the beginning of the war, the Luftwaffe built up a division-sized unit of three Fallschirmjäger regiments plus supporting arms and air assets, known as the 7th Flieger Division (7th Air Division).

Fallschirmjäger units made the first airborne invasion when invading Denmark on the 9 April 1940. In the early morning hours of Operation Weserübung, they attacked and took control of Aalborg Air Base which played a key role acting as a refuel station for the Luftwaffe in the subsequent invasion of Norway. In the same assault the bridges around Aalborg were taken. Other airborne attacks during the Battle of Denmark were also carried out, including one on a fort on the island Masnedø.

Der Führer Adolf Hitler after giving the Iron Cross to members of the Fallschirmjäger .

Fallschirmjäger were awarded a total of 134 Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses between the years 1940–1945. Twenty-four KC were awarded in the west and 27 were awarded after Crete. Out of the 134 KC, 15 were with oak leaves, five with oak leaves and swords, and one with oak leaves, swords and diamonds. Over 54,449 paratroops were killed in action and over 8,000 are still listed as missing in action.


Serial number placement is in the Krieghoff military ("semi-exposed") style. They kept the serial number under the toggles and side plate. An estimated 300 production of this variation. This is fine, well struck example. This Luger has all matching numbers. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and safe is in the down position. The extractor is marked "Geladen." The barrel is numbered and proofed and matches the frame. There are extensive LWaA 1st & 2nd acceptance proofs throughout the gun. Clean and finely struck.


This is a very hard to find 1943 dated Krieghoff manufactured Luger beyond the contract of 10,000 for the German Air Force. These post 1937 Parabellums were delivered in small batches making them rare by number the day they were produced. 1943 Krieghoff had an estimated production of only 300 weapons making this a very collectable gun for the advanced collector of Krieghoff. Any questions or requests for additional information to josef@phoenixinvestmentarms.com This 1943 Luger is offered for $12.850.00 cash priced over-the-counter.