1913 Imperial Erfurt Luger

1913 Erfurt Imperial Luger Archived

This is a 1913 dated early Imperial Luger manufactured by the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt. The 1913 Chamber date is the year of production by Erfurt, in this case very early in the war. This is a 9mm Parabellum with a 100mm barrel. Just like it came from the battlefield of WWI. (1584)

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.

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.


This 1913 Luger is characterized by the 9mm 4" (100mm) barrel and was built without a hold open and utilized the long sear. The rear sight is "V" cut fixed and front dovetailed sight and the frame has the stock lug and hold open device. This model of the Luger was produced from 1908 until 1914 for the German Military when the model was changed to include the hold open and add the stock lug. The extractor is marked "Geladen" (loaded) and the thumb safety is marked "Gesichert" (safe).



The right side of the receiver displays all the Imperial Army acceptance stamps. Erfurts' are always very heavily proofed; a delight to study. In 1914 the Erfurt factory stopped production of the 4" barrel and focused on the artillery model (8") and the DWM factory concentrated on the 4" production. The tooling to the artillery design left the spot over the chamber mortised for the long leaf sight of the artillery; this was the last year without that mortise.

In the initial contract to save money the German Government decided not to mortise the frame for the hold open spring which they believed saved them costs. In the field this proved a poor decision because they shooter didn't know when the gun was empty and had to go through the entire charging stroke to reload. In 1914 this order was amended, new guns had hold-opens and old ones were refitted which accounts for the "pin" in the right rail and a Crown RC. This is an exceptional piece that escaped the re-work order and represents the 1913 Luger in its original configuration.

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. 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 serial number of the magazine is accompanied by two Crown proofs both horizontal to the serial number.


Many people can't distinguish the difference between the DWM & Erfurt WWI magazine except for the proofs which may occur on the bottom. The Erfurt's were proofed with the Crown (as it was an Imperial Arsenal) and DWM was not. But an old magazine may obscure the numbers or proofs, so you can look at the sleeve and the crimp. The Erfurt crimp was a straight bar while DWM crimps were of a half moon configuration. The Erfurt metal mostly has a beige tint to it but this is not an absolute. RIGHT: The proofs and serial number (matching) on the grips.

The Erfurt's are the most proofed models of Parabellums. There are inspector marks all over the weapon in a variety of crowed stamps. Below are the screws that are proofed. Proof marks are well struck and clearly visible. The tiny proofs on the screws are always found on the original guns.


Clean and well kept by its owner this Luger has the long sear and no Crown RC indicating it wasn't brought back to the arsenal for either repair or replacement of a part. The barrel is strong with clear lands and grooves.

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 extractor is marked "Geladen" on the left side and the safety is marked "Gesichert" with the safe position being downward. The proof marks are the amazing story of this guns. On the left is the frame and barrel matching serial numbers. This Luger is 102 year old battlefield veteran and is in remarkable shape for its age and experience.

Clean and well kept by its owner this Luger has the long sear and no stock lug. The barrel is strong with distinctive lands and grooves. On top of the thumb safety is the serial number and on the bottom is the crown inspector's proof.

The Left Picture reveals the Parabellum in full recoil where the thumb safety up in the "fire" position. The right picture shows the serial number on the thumb safety and rear toggle.

Everyone needs one Erfurt in their collection just to study proof marks. This is a basic collectors gun that has all the study proofs you could ask for. This weapon is designated as a Curios and Relic (C&R) and be sent to those licensed persons. See Kenyon, Lugers At Random Page 168



This weapon is designated as a Curios and Relic (C&R) and be sent directly to those licensed persons or though your local dealer.

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 extraordinarily 1913 Imperial Erfurt is as good a battlefield pickup that comes along with an all matching P08. In minty condition this is a rarely seen knowing the quality of the wartime Erfurt production.