1918 Erfurt Rig

This is a 1914 Model Imperial Luger manufactured by the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt. The 1918 Chamber date is the year of production by Erfurt, in this case the last year of the war. This is a 9mm Parabellum with a 100mm barrel and comes with a 1917 dated Holster, extra magazine, take-down tool and Imperial buckle and belt. Just like it came from the battlefield of WWI. (537)

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The 1914 Model Luger is characterized by the 9mm 4" (100mm) barrel, the rear "V" cut fixed and front dovetailed sight and the frame with the stock lug. This model of the Luger was produced from 1914 until 1918 for the German Military. The extractor is marked "Geladen" (loaded) and the thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" (safe).

Serial number placement is in the military ("exposed") style; displayed on the left side of the receiver, the side plate, the locking bolt, the sear bar safety, the extractor, the forward toggle link, the front of the frame, under the barrel, and on the side of the trigger. This example has all matching numbers.

At the outbreak of WWI the German Army seemed reasonably equipped with the Luger Pistol. The DWM factory in Berlin moved to peak production by 1915 and were producing 700 Parabellums per day; however this didn't meet the requirements for the massive mobilization.



On the left is the frame and barrel matching serial numbers. The right side of the receiver displays all the Imperial Army acceptance stamps. Erfurts were always very heavily proofed; a delight to study.
RIGHT: The magazine is a matching wood based magazine. This magazine displays an Erfurt proof on the bottom.
Military Lugers were numbered 1-10000 and then 1a-10000a, 1b-1000b, and so on. To properly identify your Luger always use the full serial number with the alphabet identifier.

The Erfurt factory was originally located in Saarn and then moved to Erfurt under private ownership. It was then purchased by the Prussian government and produced huge quantities of weapons, estimated to exceed 800,000 before being dismantled by the Allies at the end of the WWI and the machinery then sold to Simson


Original grips are finely cut diamond shaped checkering made from walnut or in some cases beech wood. Original grips were serial numbered to the gun and when installed by the Erfurt factory also proofed.

The holster is in excellent shape with the leather still firm yet pliable with no discerning cracks. It is dated (left above) 1917 with the manufacturers proof. Included with the Luger is the take down tool and an extra magazine. See Kenyon, Lugers At Random Page 168

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.

This is a excellent example of a 1918 Dated Erfurt Imperial Luger with all matching parts including the magazine. This is a difficult date to obtain in this good of condition.