This is a Chamber Dated 1936 Krieghoff, made for the German Luftwaffe. It is a 1908 Model, 9mm with a 4" (100mm) Barrel. The first toggle link is marked with the Krieghoff monogram, and there is the "V" rear sight on the last toggle link. The extractor is marked "GELADEN". The bore is good with distinctive lands and groove.  The thumb safety is new style, and straw blued.   This all-matching 1936 dated Krieghoff comes with a 1936 holster, a second matching magazine and a Krieghoff proofed Eagle 2 loading tool.      (902)

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.

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style.   The serial number is just five numbers from where Gibson reported the standardization of the "1936" chamber date! 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.

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 1935 production. The "S" dated chambers were begun in 1936, followed by the "36" and then the "1936" of which this Luger chamber date is a member.

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.

Above: Krieghoff marked the locking lever and the side plate on the inside, much like the civilian models. The serial numbers match throughout the gun and the magazine is matched to the Luger.

The 1936 dated holster has a second matching magazine, and a Krieghoff Eagle 2 loading tool, one of the most coveted of the loading tools and very hard to find.

The 1936 Dated Krieghoff is said to be produced in the 4400-7500 serial range with a maximum production of 2900 Lugers.  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.  You are seeking one of 2900 in premium condition from the battlefield of WWII.

Proof marks were extensive on the contract Krieghoffs, with both Stage I and Stage II acceptance proofs throughout the Luger.

Two Matching Magazines

Extensively proofed on the toggle and breach with Eagle 6 proofs and acceptance stamps.  Simply a classic Krieghoff excellent production Luger.

(Right) This barrel does have the gauge markings found on the early models (8.82).

We cannot find an Eagle 2 Proof on the inside of the holster where they are characteristically found. However, even Gibson acknowledged that not all Krieghoff holsters are proofed. The gun, two matching magazines and a HK Eagle 2 proofed loading tool leads us to believe this is an original holster.

Proof marks were extensive on the contract Krieghoffs, with both Stage I and Stage II acceptance proofs throughout the Luger.

The holster still exhibits the white stitching and is in very good to excellent condition with the leather supple and all parts functional.

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 the first full year on the chamber.

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

This is a very hard to find 1936 dated Krieghoff manufactured Luger in a contract of 10,000 for the German Air Force. All matching Luger, 2nd matching magazine, Krieghoff proofed loading tool and 1936 dated holster for the advanced collector.