Latest Find! Luger fans, you gotta check this one out!

[Matt Weber]

All right, after much long awaited anticipation, I can finally reveal to you guys my latest find. It's another luger, but not just any luger. It's a complete rig now, and a very scarce one at that.


First the holster. I got this holster back in February, and knew right away which gun I could put with it.
This is a very scarce holster indeed. First off, "NO", this is not a police holster!
And "NO" this is not one of those reproduction holsters that are going around either. In fact, those repros that you see are exact replicas of this holster.

This is a very early 1930's commercial hardshell luger holster! and as you can see, it is in minty condition!!!

Matt

[Matt Weber]

Reverse of the holster. I'll let the pics do the talking here.

[Matt Weber]

Now for the pistol itself. Yes, it is a commercial luger. However, not just any 1920s' commercial, this is a Nazi era commercial luger, and one of the first ones probably made!

As many of you luger guys out there probably know. The very first true "nazi era" lugers were actually re-works from WWI and early 1920's commercial models made by DWM and Erfurt. Many of these re-works were done by Mauser, but some were also done by Krieghoff as well.

This is a very early 1930s' Krieghoff commercial re-work!
Notice there are no serial numbers on the external parts like most lugers. The only parts that are externally numbered are the frame and slide.

[Matt Weber]

Right side of the Kreighoff re-work, shows us more of the lovely early rust blue finish.

FYI- Yes this gun has been professionally restored. I purchased it very cheaply since I knew what it was, and it had less than 40% of it's finish left on it. Once I found the minty holster shown above, I knew that this pistol would be perfect for it, but needed it to be restored to 100% in order to even put it next to that lovely holster!

Now in case you guys don't know much about Kreighoff commercial re-works, I'll give you a brief history on them.
Most of them are found in serial block "i", and most will have the back frame marked, "Krieghoff, Suhl".
Many will also be import marked, "Germany" or "Made in Germany". Most of the re-works in general are in 9mm caliber, but 7.65mm were made as well. They will have dates and Imperial proofs scubbed, and will only have the Krieghoff commercial lazy "crown/N" proofs on them.

This re-work is not in the "i" block, it is not backframe marked, and is in 7.65mm. The serial number on this one is - "21" with no letter block!!
It is import marked on the back frame though.

Also pay attention to the grips. These are not DWM grips. They are the fat-flat style Krieghoff grips!

[Matt Weber]

Close up of the lazy "crown/N" proofs found on the toggle arms of the luger.

[Matt Weber]

Close up of the lazy "crown/N" proof markings on the frame and slide.

[Matt Weber]

Also, another "crown/N" proof marking will be on the barrel.
Notice this barrel does not have the serial number on it.

[Matt Weber]

Top of the toggle shows us the original "DWM" logo still on the toggle. This is normal, however, there are some Krieghoff re-works that will have the "HK" toggle on them, but those are very scarce.

Again, notice there are no external serial numbers on this luger! Also date has been scrubbed. This is all correct!

[Matt Weber]

Serial number on the frame.

[Matt Weber]

Back frame marked, "made in Germany".

This one was most like sold overseas. Very possibly in America.

[Matt Weber]

Krieghoff started numbering parts internally.

Here is a pic of some of the parts numbered internally. Serial number on all parts is "21".

Hope you guys enjoyed the lovely early Krieghoff commercial re-work!

Matt

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Hey Matt, very nice rig. Also thanks for the lesson on reworks, I know very little about them. Honestly if I saw this one at a show I would probably have passed on it! Jeff

[Ronnie Fry]

Yes, thanks for the lesson!!!

Matt,
Great thread!!! Thanks for the show of not one, but two remarkable peices. Color me GREEN!! I am like Jeff, I prolly would'a passed on this one at a gun show. Shows my ignorance, which is considerable.

When they passed out the brains, I thought they said "trains", and I wanted one with a whistle!!!

Careful what you wish for---

Kindest personal---

r

[stevezz1]

Hi Matt,
Very impressive......
And well worth the wait, congrats to you.
Steve.

[GWA]

Interesting pistol, quite likely a Krieghof (or other) assembly of DWM left over parts. Your assessment of the holster bewilders me.