Matching Krieghoff 1934 Commercial Luger 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol Documented 82nd Airborne Bringback Ensemble
Sold For: $13,625
Make: Krieghoff
Model: 1934 Commercial Model Luger
Serial Number: P936
Year of Manufacture: circa 1934
Caliber: 9mm Luger (9mm Parabellum)
Action Type: Toggle Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine.
Markings: The left side of the frame is marked “Heinrich Krieghoff / Waffenfabrik / Suhl”. The front of the toggle is marked with the “HK Dagger-Anchor” logo over “Krieghoff / Suhl”. The left side of the breechblock, the underside of the barrel and the left side of the frame at the chamber are marked with a “Crown over N” proof. The left side of the chamber is marked with a “Crown over N” proof and “936”. The front of the frame under the barrel is marked “P936”. The right side of the chamber is marked with a ‘Star”. The left side of the frame under the safety is marked “Gesichert”. There are no marks on the grip frame under the grips.
Barrel Length: 4”
Sights / Optics: This pistol is mounted with a notch in the back of the toggle and a serrated ramp front sight in a dovetail.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered reddish brown plastic. The checkering feels sharp, but there is very light wear on the right grip with slightly heavier wear on the left grip. Both show light handling marks on the un-checkered edges. There are neither cracks nor chips. The grips rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Uncertain, Possible Arsenal Restoration
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is deep. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 75% of its metal finish. The front barrel band shows surface loss and pinprick surface erosion on both sides. The rest of the barrel shows surface loss on the left side and light handling marks. The left side plate and the front edges of the frame show surface loss. The knurling of the takedown lever shows light wear on the bottom edge and the grooves have developed a brown patina. The serrations on the toggle knobs show thinning and the edges of the front toggle and trigger guard also show thinning. The bottom of the front strap shows wear and the lower half of the backstrap shows thinning. The grip screws show surface loss but are not disfigured. The markings are clear except for those on the breechblock. Overall, this pistol rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with two magazines, a period correct black leather flap holster with takedown tool and a host of memorabilia, described below:
A Notarized Letter from Leonard John Crofoot, son of the original US soldier that returned with this pistol. The letter reads as follows: “Leonard Vernon Crofoot, my father, passed away on September 17, 2002. He left behind a Krieghoff Luger, serial number P936, which he returned with from the war in Europe. This pistol has been a war trophy for my father and a reminder of our family’s history since its return. I’ve known about my Dad’s Luger since I was a little boy. He used to keep it under his bed, taking it out when we went on our yearly vacation where he’d keep it under the driver’s seat. He always kept it close at hand.
My father rarely spoke of the war when we were growing up, but later in life he began to talk about his experience. Early in my life, he mentioned that he had taken the gun off a high-ranking officer during the war, but did not elaborate beyond that. Some years later I pressed him for more information about the officer and my Dad’s only response was “I shot the Kraut, took his gun and I’m glad I did ‘cause he killed one of my buddies.”
Eventually my father confided some of his war stories to me and they were bloody and horrific. It was shocking as my Dad was a quiet and kind man.
During World War II Leonard Vernon Crofoot was a Paratrooper, Demolition Team and Pathfinder; fighting in the Normandy, Ardennes, Central Europe and the Rhineland campaigns. He received the American Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, the Purple Heart and the World War II Victory Medal.
My father never imagined or planned on selling this prized pistol, nor did any of his descendants. That being said, we as a family are selling the Luger to assist my aging mother with escalating living expenses. I am confident my father would approve of his prize being used in such a way, especially knowing it will be owned by a collector who will cherish it and the rich history.
This collection includes my Dad’s captured Luger and holster, his 1943 507th Parachute Infantry Book complete with group pictures of the entire 507th, his ribbons, buttons, papers, his uniform, WWII era currency, Paratrooper pins, medals and other items (including some Nazi paraphernalia) as photographed and included in the auction with the pistol.
I will be sorry to see my Dad’s Luger leave the family’s possession. My hope is that they will find a home where they will be appreciated as they have been here.”
Also included is:
– An original 1943 507th Parachute Infantry Yearbook. The book is complete and sound, though the cover at the binding is separating. A photo of Leonard Vernon Crofoot can be seen on page 49.
– The original Purple Heart Medal and Pin in the original case. Both rate in fine overall condition.
– Original copies of Leonard Vernon Crofoot’s Discharge Paperwork, with the pocket copies and protector.
– A Large lot WWII Era and Earlier (1920’s) Foreign Currency from: France, Germany, Canada, England and Austria. there are a total of about 45 pieces. There is also a collection of 14 foreign coins, (3 Nazi) photographed.
– U.S. Bastogne “Nuts” Octagonal Brass Plaque. This plaque rates in Fine condition with slight age discoloration.
– US Jump Patch, Eagle Ring, 2x Jump Wings with 2 stars, 2x CIB’s, 3 ribbon Bars with oak leaf clusters, A U.S. Army Pin, 6 buttons, 2 Chevron Pins, A Nazi Patch, A Nazi Badge and a Nazi Pin.
– The magazine in the pistol is an “Early” type with a phosphate finish and a wooden base marked with “7545 / l / +”. The magazine shows little wear with a few scattered spots of pinprick surface erosion, and is in Excellent condition.
– The magazine in the holster is a Type 1939, and is blued with a square bottom and aluminum base. The magazine shows light wear and is in Excellent condition.
– The back side of the holster is marked “Ehrhardt & Kirsten / Taucha / 1939” and with what appears to be the Waffenamt code “WaA170”. The top flap has a strap which buckles to the outside rear edge of the holster, but the strap is torn in half. The front surface of the holster has a magazine pouch sewn to it, and the back of the holster has two belt loops. The outside surface of the holster and the top flap , plus the magazine pouch, show about 50% surface loss, while the back side of the holster shows handling marks, but surface loss only at the edges and the bottom. The original top flap hinge stitching is missing, and only one of the two rows was re-done. The rest of the stitching appears intact. The inside of the holster has a pocket for a takedown tool (included) and a leather pull strap for pulling out the pistol, both of which are intact. Overall, the holster is in Good condition. The takedown tool is marked with a “Winged Eagle over ?3”, is blued, and is in Fine condition.
Our Assessment: This 1934 Commercial Krieghoff is a rare find which is sure to interest Luger collectors, airborne collectors and WWII collectors. It has matching numbers and comes directly from the estate of a decorated 82nd Airborne soldier and veteran of Normandy and Bastogne. We sell a lot of Bringback guns, but this one is noteworthy with the ensemble being so complete, with the Luger being a Krieghoff and the soldier being so experienced in noteworthy battles.
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R pistol can be transferred in California and can be sold to a California resident as a private party transaction (PPT) at our shop in Simi Valley. This does not apply to out of state buyers.
