Death's Head Erfurt

cdmech · 06-02-2012, 11:59 PM

I like this 1918 Death's Head Erfurt on Auction Arms.
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/110979...nd-r-2c-no-res
Marc

DavidJayUden · 06-03-2012, 12:52 AM

It does have some charm, doesn't it?
dju

sheepherder · 06-03-2012, 10:26 AM

Interesting...An artillery notch in the receiver, but the barrel flange extends beyond the notch...I don't think I've seen that before...

Definitely not a restoration...

I am certainly no expert (I would defer to Albert on this example) but the condition of the metal around the death's head graphic appears consistent with the rest of the gun...the 1918 font looks...different...

I like it...I think I may bid on it...

Thank You, Marc!

siegersallee · 06-03-2012, 12:08 PM

What was the significance of the "Death's Head" on a Luger? I've never seen one like that before.

Richard

sheepherder · 06-03-2012, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siegersallee

What was the significance of the "Death's Head" on a Luger? I've never seen one like that before.

Richard

The popular theory is that they are from a Freikorps unit during the Weimar era...

siegersallee · 06-03-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by siegersallee View Post
What was the significance of the "Death's Head" on a Luger? I've never seen one like that before.

Richard
The popular theory is that they are from Freikorps a unit during the Weimar era...
__________________

I've seen lugers and G98 with "EWB" branded into the grips or stock of the weapon, is this kinda/sorta the same idea?

Ron Wood · 06-03-2012, 01:46 PM

Kind of the same thing, except the identity of the EWB marking is known but the identity/type of unit(s) that employed the DH marking has yet to be determined. My favorite guess is Freikorps Flammenwerfer.

sheepherder · 06-03-2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

My favorite guess is Freikorps Flammenwerfer.

Flammenwerfer!!!

Not all Freikorps were flammenwerfer...Not obviously, anyway...

(I only linked pics with totenkopf insignia)

Of course, there has to be a Freikorps website...

http://www.freikorps.net/

lugerholsterrepair · 06-03-2012, 04:01 PM

Rich..VERY cool photo's! Commie stompin wildmen for sure! Back in the good ole days when you could go out and clean up the neighborhood.

alanint · 06-03-2012, 05:55 PM

A Spandau on every corner!!

sheepherder · 06-03-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

A Spandau on every corner!!

Isn't that something??? Big heavy MG like that in a steel turret, probably unpowered...and hot...

The site with that armored car & flamethrower unit (first pic) also mentioned that the helmets looked like 'turkish contract' helmets...I'm assuming they meant the guy with the slung rifle & stick grenade and the three guys behind him...helmets look like the front brim was chopped off...

There was also something about an influenza epidemic...Makes me wonder if the 'flammenwerfer' unit was burning out contagion sites, rather than Communist agitators...

siegersallee · 06-03-2012, 08:07 PM

thanks guys for the information...as usual very informative!

Richard

lugerholsterrepair · 06-03-2012, 09:29 PM

Rich..
...Makes me wonder if the 'flammenwerfer' unit was burning out contagion sites, rather than Communist agitators

burning out contagious Communist agitators maybe..

saab-bob · 06-03-2012, 09:45 PM

Thanks Postino
Great pics. Did you notice the 3rd pic shows a English Mk V tank rolling down the street with the totenkopf insignia? Did the English give the Freikorps tanks to patrol the streets with or where they captured and never returned?
Hmmm,maybe the English didn't like the "reds" any more then the Freikorps.
Watched a program today on the Military Channel about the worlds first tank battle. Between the English Mark V and the Imperial German A7V. Interesting stuff,the English tanks won by chasing the German tanks away.
Bob

DavidJayUden · 06-04-2012, 03:18 PM

OMG! It's spreading:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=289746098

dju

alanint · 06-04-2012, 03:40 PM

I sure would like to see the markings on the back of that holster!!

cdmech · 06-04-2012, 11:04 PM

Maybe I shouldn't ask since some may be bidding on it, but I think this is a great looking pistol. What would a "collector" value this gun at (the Erfurt)? I am assuming that this would be less than what the pistol might actually sell for, since someone like me with a case of the "Igottahaves" would pay to much.
Marc

DavidJayUden · 06-05-2012, 12:26 AM

Seems to me that it is now at a reasonable price range, at about $950. That is ignoring the death's head issue, just pricing it as a well worn but matching Erfurt. I'd like to have it too, but will not bid and would not pay a premium for the DH marking. Lots of charm but just too much uncertainty. But that mark sure looks like it has been there a long time...
dju

sheepherder · 06-10-2012, 09:25 PM

Well, this auction is over...About 10:00am, the price was ~$1105...I figured I could go a couple dollars over that...Wishful thinking...

Last bid was $2367...82 bids...

Vlim · 06-11-2012, 06:27 AM

I guess that the US dealer who had a large number of 'cheap' P08 pistols marked with Death Heads in the late 1950s was right after all. It did enhance the market value

06-02-2012, 11:59 PM	#1
cdmech User Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 218 Thanks: 87 Thanked 134 Times in 55 Posts	Death's Head Erfurt I like this 1918 Death's Head Erfurt on Auction Arms. http://www.gunauction.com/buy/110979...nd-r-2c-no-res Marc

06-03-2012, 10:26 AM	#3
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,183 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Interesting...An artillery notch in the receiver, but the barrel flange extends beyond the notch...I don't think I've seen that before... Definitely not a restoration... I am certainly no expert (I would defer to Albert on this example) but the condition of the metal around the death's head graphic appears consistent with the rest of the gun...the 1918 font looks...different... I like it...I think I may bid on it... Thank You, Marc! __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

06-03-2012, 01:46 PM	#7
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Kind of the same thing, except the identity of the EWB marking is known but the identity/type of unit(s) that employed the DH marking has yet to be determined. My favorite guess is Freikorps Flammenwerfer. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

06-03-2012, 04:01 PM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Rich..VERY cool photo's! Commie stompin wildmen for sure! Back in the good ole days when you could go out and clean up the neighborhood. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

06-03-2012, 09:29 PM	#13
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Rich.. ...Makes me wonder if the 'flammenwerfer' unit was burning out contagion sites, rather than Communist agitators burning out contagious Communist agitators maybe.. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

06-03-2012, 12:52 AM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	It does have some charm, doesn't it? dju

06-03-2012, 12:08 PM	#4
siegersallee User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 292 Thanks: 107 Thanked 57 Times in 34 Posts	What was the significance of the "Death's Head" on a Luger? I've never seen one like that before. Richard

06-03-2012, 05:55 PM	#10
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	A Spandau on every corner!!

06-03-2012, 08:07 PM	#12
siegersallee User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 292 Thanks: 107 Thanked 57 Times in 34 Posts	thanks guys for the information...as usual very informative! Richard

06-03-2012, 09:45 PM	#14
saab-bob User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 459 Thanks: 774 Thanked 143 Times in 87 Posts	Thanks Postino Great pics. Did you notice the 3rd pic shows a English Mk V tank rolling down the street with the totenkopf insignia? Did the English give the Freikorps tanks to patrol the streets with or where they captured and never returned? Hmmm,maybe the English didn't like the "reds" any more then the Freikorps. Watched a program today on the Military Channel about the worlds first tank battle. Between the English Mark V and the Imperial German A7V. Interesting stuff,the English tanks won by chasing the German tanks away. Bob __________________ "I think,therefore I own guns"

06-04-2012, 03:18 PM	#15
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	OMG! It's spreading: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=289746098 dju

06-04-2012, 03:40 PM	#16
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I sure would like to see the markings on the back of that holster!! Last edited by alanint; 06-04-2012 at 11:19 PM.

06-04-2012, 11:04 PM	#17
cdmech User Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 218 Thanks: 87 Thanked 134 Times in 55 Posts	Maybe I shouldn't ask since some may be bidding on it, but I think this is a great looking pistol. What would a "collector" value this gun at (the Erfurt)? I am assuming that this would be less than what the pistol might actually sell for, since someone like me with a case of the "Igottahaves" would pay to much. Marc Last edited by cdmech; 06-04-2012 at 11:14 PM. Reason: clarity

06-05-2012, 12:26 AM	#18
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Seems to me that it is now at a reasonable price range, at about $950. That is ignoring the death's head issue, just pricing it as a well worn but matching Erfurt. I'd like to have it too, but will not bid and would not pay a premium for the DH marking. Lots of charm but just too much uncertainty. But that mark sure looks like it has been there a long time... dju

06-10-2012, 09:25 PM	#19
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,183 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Well, this auction is over...About 10:00am, the price was ~$1105...I figured I could go a couple dollars over that...Wishful thinking... Last bid was $2367...82 bids... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

06-11-2012, 06:27 AM	#20
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,989 Times in 1,205 Posts	I guess that the US dealer who had a large number of 'cheap' P08 pistols marked with Death Heads in the late 1950s was right after all. It did enhance the market value