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 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.

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.

Above: Note the serialization on the breach block and the Luftwaffe acceptance stamp. The minute proofs are really marvelous and a sign of the craftsmanship of the Krieghoff. If you are a Krieghoff collector this a jewel.  Below left you can see the early variation marking of the serial number on the toggle links.

Right: the firing pin and firing pin retainer are both marked with the Eagle 2 proof not found on latter variations.

Below right is the traditional "thumb print" found on the back of the original Krieghoff receivers.

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.

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.

Here is the extractor marked GELADEN (Loaded).   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.

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This Luger has the fine checkered, Hermann Ritzmann & Sohne,  (HRS) manufactured brown plastic grips. The grips, as the fine checked type, were being phased out during the production of the "36" series.  Since this Luger is so early on in the "S" Series the fine (8964) grips makes it even more desirable. The grips are in excellent shape.