April 27-30, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2021
Model 1908 Luger manufactured by the Royal Arsenal at Erfurt in 1912. This example is rust blued, with the small parts being strawed, as well as nitre blued on the grip screws, magazine catch spring, sear bar retaining spring, and toggle axle pins. Hold-open device has been added and bears a proof to indicate the alteration. Receiver is marked "1912" over the chamber with Erfurt arsenal proofs and a German Imperial Eagle on the right hand side. Left side of breechblock and right side of barrel are also stamped with the German Imperial Eagle. Erfurt Arsenal rework, repair, and reissue crown over "RC" proof is present on the front of the trigger guard, with various Erfurt arsenal proofs being present on most small components. Front grip strap is unit marked "72.R.10.3." indicating issue to the 8th Division, 72nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Company. All numbers are matching, with the exception of the magazine, which is mismatched. Complete with a scanned short history of the 8th Division during World War I. CONDITION: Metal components retain the vast majority of what appears to be arsenal reapplied bluing (likely done at the time of the addition of the hold-open device), showing some edge wear, holster wear around the muzzle, and a few scattered areas of wear from use, with the grip straps exhibiting some thinning overall. Strawed components show some wear overall, as well as some age related discoloration. Bore is bright, showing fair wear to the rifling, and exhibiting light oxidation throughout. Checkered walnut grips bear some light wear to the checkering and exhibit a few scattered nicks to the diamonds. A very nice example of a Pre-World War I manufactured Erfurt P.08. -MLW-
Paperwork
Unit Marking Information