Rare 1918 Erfurt

[Ron Smith]

A 1918 Erfurt , all matching except magazine. Ser# 3167 n. Overall condition is approx. 85% thinning late war rust blue. Grips are in near mint
condition. A good indication that the blue wear is attributable to a poor initial "hurry up" job. The metal is surprisingly well finished considering that most 1918 Erfurts are pretty rough.



















I have been searching for one since my first read of Still's Imperial Lugers.

The rare part is that it is unit marked to the 474th Infantry Regt. 1st Machinegun Company weapon 50. Only 0.2% of 1918s were unit marked. See Jan Still's Imperial Lugers. These are virtually non-existant. In fact I was suspicious when I first saw it, fearing a "boost job".

Jan Still and George Anderson have stated that it is the first they have seen. The order to cease unit marking was issued in 1917. Also, it is stamped on the backstrap, as opposed to the front, as per regulation.

I got it at a shooter price. Another quest has ended. Now on to the next...





Ron