The holster is maker marked and in very good condition, as is the stock, which is properly Imperial proofed. The pistol comes as part of a rig, with correct holster, stock and cleaning rod that are numbered to a different gun. Blue Book value (what a dealer would offer you, a collector would probably offer more): Excellent: 1,925-2,200 Very Good: 1,385-1,740 Good: 880. The Erfurt models also had walnut grips and many proof marks. Many perished in the Great War, and to find such pristine example is next to impossible. Your grandfathers Erfurt manufactured military Luger date 1912 is a 9mm Parabellum caliber with a 4 inch barrel and no stock lugs. With only 20,000 Erfurt artilleries made in the beginning of WWI, it is the second rarest variation, following the 1914 dated DWM production. The gun is profusely proofed with German Imperial proofmarks and has a high quality rust-blue finish that you can find only on the earliest of Erfurt made guns. It has just a hint of edge wear and a small area of old pitting/patina on the stock lug, and a few freckles on the right receiver ear - both detract very little from its overall appearance.
#1912 ERFURT LUGER VALUE SERIAL NUMBER#
In 1913 there will be two more Lugers with the serial number 7291a one by. Its important to note the maker, the year and the suffix letter if present.
It is all matching except for the magazine, and has excellent grips and bore. When recording your Luger for your records, Id suggest doing it this way: Erfurt, 1912, 9mm, 4' barrel, serial number 7291a There will also be a DWM made in 1912 with the same serial number. It is the 811th Artillery Luger made! It is in an absolutely beautiful original condition, retaining close to 98% of the bluing. 4/27/18 - This is one of the earliest recorded Erfurt Artillery Luger rigs, made in 1914, with a 3-digit serial number.