Erfurt P.08 Luger 9mm (1916) - WWI German Military Pistol, 4 in Barrel, Blued, Crown/ERFURT Marked
This 1916-dated Erfurt P.08 is a WWI-era German military pistol in the standard Army configuration with a 4 inch barrel. It bears crown/ERFURT toggle markings, Imperial eagle acceptance stamps, and crowned Gothic-letter inspection marks consistent with Erfurt Arsenal production. Notable features include the military rust-blue finish, standard stock lug on the backstrap with integral lanyard loop, fixed blade/V-notch sights, and matching numbers observed on small components.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Poor - Noticeable dirt, stains, significant corrosion or damage.
Bore Rifling: Poor Rifling - Rifling heavily worn or filled with fouling or debris.
Specific Condition Notes: Finish loss and discoloration are present across the pistol, with scratches and handling wear. The bore exhibits pervasive pitting and worn rifling.
What’s Included
- No case included
Produced at the Imperial Erfurt Arsenal, this P.08 shows the 1916 chamber date and correct crown/ERFURT toggle legend. Imperial eagle acceptance marks and crowned Gothic-letter inspection stamps are present, aligning with WWI military issue standards.
The pistol follows the standard Army-pattern P.08 configuration with a 4 inch barrel, fixed front blade and fixed rear V-notch on the rear toggle link, and a lanyard loop at the heel. It has checkered wood grip panels and no grip safety, as expected for this configuration.
Mechanically, it uses the short-recoil, toggle-locked action chambered in 9mm Luger with an 8+1 capacity. Controls include a push-button magazine release and a thumb safety. The frame and receiver are steel/carbon steel with a military rust-blue finish consistent with Imperial-era manufacture.
Collectors will note the Erfurt-specific features and WWI provenance, along with matching numbers observed on small components. The markings and period-correct features make this an identifiable example of a 1916 Erfurt P.08 service pistol.