Quote:
Originally Posted by 2152hq
I thought the Erma Lugers were banned from import in '68 (didn't make the point total needed).
Stoeger then imported the Erma parts, but not the the receiver, after '68. The new receiver being made in the USA to get around the import problem and the Stoeger pistols were assembled (made) in the USA.
Stoeger Corp could legally put 'Luger' on the pistol as they owned the rights to the name in the US since the 1920's when they were the sole importer here.
..and then again I may be all wrong!
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The Stoeger Luger was a bit different than the ERMA. No parts will interchange and the Stoeger was a better quality pistol overall. I can remember both being available new in the 70's and I think into the early 80's. The ERMA's were big enough to qualify under the "point" system for import, many had a thumbrest "target" grip which added import points. Have worked on both, a broken Stoeger can usually be fixed, a broken ERMA is best made into a wall hanger.
Stoeger does own the rights to use the "Luger" name as they copyrighted it @ 1920 which is why none of the copies that have appeared could put the Luger name on their guns. Even mauser (an original producer of Lugers) had to market theirs as the "Parabellum" pistol back in the 70's.