1918 Erfurt Commercial Artillery

This is a 1914 Model, chamber dated 1918 DWM 8" model with the 800 meter adjustable rear sight mounted on the barrel. The 1918 Chamber Date is one of the most difficult of the Artillery models in this pristine condition. The original intent was to issue the 8" weapon to gun boat crews but it then became standard issue to machine gun crews and artillery units. (1020)

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.


The serial numbers are marked in the "military manner" meaning they are exposed on the parts. This Luger has all matching parts. The magazine bottom is blank as a commercial magazine would be found. The finish on the gun is much better than those found on the 1918 military Erfurts when production at the end of the war was more focused on quantity and not so much quality.

This is a 9mm weapon with all the matching parts marked in the military manner (exposed). The barrel is 200mm and it has the adjustable sight. The Imperial proofs are well struck and tell the story of the gun. The barrel inside is shiny with distinctive lands and grooves. The magazine is clean and grips match the gun.

This gun possesses all the military Erfurt proofs as a ready to issue military contract Parabellum. The Erfurt proofs appear on all the small parts including the serial number and proofs on the front leaf sight.



Under the front sight the frame is notched telling us this gun was designed and build as a wartime artillery (200mm barrel) military issue weapon. Fully proofed with all the military proofs it also has the Crown N commercial proof and the Germany export mark. The Crown RC means it went back to the production line for some modification. At the end of WWI the Treaty of Versailles and the Allied Commission simply shut down the line at Erfurt. Unlike DWM that was a commercial gun manufacturer the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt was owned and operated by the German Government. This is a VERY unusual weapon.

Erfurt (Gewehrfabrik Erfurt) was a Prussian owned arms arsenal that produced rifles, ammunition and pistols at the city of Erfurt in Thüringen from 1910 until November 1918 (Armistice). The 1910 Erfurt Imperial Acceptance stamp was the Imperial Eagle with the cross of peace and the bar of justice, still heraldic in nature as an Imperial proof. The war destroyed vast quantities and these 90 yr old guns that have survived today are treasured in collections throughout the world.



The frame has the stock lug and the thumb safety. The thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" and extractor "Geladen". The barrel is numbered and proofed to the weapon. The inside of the gun is clean and well cared for.

The Crown N Commercial Proof is distinctive with rest of this 1918 Erfurt Artillery military proofed and serial numbered throughout the gun and small parts. The thumb safety and the bottom of the stock lug are proofed and serial numbered. The magazine although proofed is not numbered. Totally unique and not seen in our thirty five years of experience.


Sometimes in examination people think the leaf site is bent. However, when raising the site to the full 800 meter position reveals a 7° left movement. This design compensates for the rifling on the 200 mm barrel which gives the bullet a twist in flight and if properly adjusted will permit a corrected point of impact. Another example of Luger engineering.

This is a great collector grade weapon, low serial number, all matching, and a wonderful addition to anyone's collection. This was designed as a precision weapon and with the extended barrel and 800m rear sight makes it formidable.