My gun safe is in my office....safe (pun intended) and dry. I have stored many guns for years with no problems.

I also wanted to address Mr. Tinker's concern about refinish/restoration. I can personally vouch safe that this gun is original. I know 100% all of the details of it's heritage/ownership since 1950. I believe that before that time
(1950) it belonged to my grandfather, as he was more of a gun afficianado than my father. It makes sense to me that my grandfather, having been born in the 1880's, served in WWI etc. would have owned such a gun. My father inherited several pieces from him right after the war including a SAA .45 long colt (now owned by my brother), the Parker double, a matched pair of flintlock pistols and several other less interesting guns. Since my dad was not into anything but 'meat' guns, he surely didn't buy the Luger. No one knows for certain, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it 'til proven otherwise.

No offense taken, Mr. Tinker and I understand your concerns. A few photos a fine gun does not make. Again, I'll try to get some better ones up on the board soon.

"Now I had $5k of damp funny smelling cash! That mositure would have played havoc on the pistols"
If that funny smelling $5K is too big of a problem...

spent $2k+ of it on Lugers already! A gun safe or normal safe might be fine, but it was my fireproof safe that got damp inside.

Jasta2 -

Some "fire proof" safes contain contain small synthetic balls inside their walls. These small synthetic balls are designed to release moisture when the safe is exposed to a fire. Your safe might be one of these.

Suggestion: Install a "Golden Rod" in your safe. These are small aluminum tubes, closed on each end, with a low wattage heater inside. They run on ordinary house current. The "Golden Rod" goes inside the safe, and you simply plug it in to an ordinary electrical outlet. Heat from the rod drives out moisture inside the safe. It is an inexpensive fix and they do work.

Congratulations on such a nice American Eagle.

Thanks Ron,
My safe just might have those 'balls'. My American Eagle will look much better when Thor works his magic to it. Just watched the History Channel's 'Christmas Truce' on the informal truce in WW1. Quite interesting.

Hello again. I have gotten my better camera fixed and have taken some extra pics.

And some more. The last of this group show a couple of the problem areas...around the end of the barrel and some damage to the finish on the barrel itself. Obviously not a perfect gun.

Please let me know what you think. Thank you.

Bill

Update
 

Since posting last I have sent this gun off to Simpson Ltd. for appraisal and they have confirmed its authenticity and rarity. I'm not trying to circumvent any Forum rules here but...what's the best way to try to find this valuable Luger a new home? I would be happy to post a scan of the appraisal if that would help.

I have bought and sold a number of more "ordinary" handguns over the years but always on a face-to-face basis with the seller/purchaser. This Luger seems like it needs a home with someone who will really be able to appreciate it. Again, not trying to break any rules....just looking for advice. Thanks!

Take the appraisal that Simpson's gives you, and if you are satisfied with the value, post the appraisal here and the gun for sale in our classifieds (no charge or fee for selling here) with the exact price you expect to sell it for. Read the selling rules in the classified forum... You can't ask for offers. Auctions are not allowed here. You must post the selling price.

Someone here will buy it, and then the mechanics of the sales process and necessary licenses and such can be discussed and you can do it all legally... right here. Most anywhere else you try to sell it, they will charge you a fee.

The finest example of a Model 1900 I have ever seen, even in photographs.... Congrats.

Let me add my $0.02 that this is a family heirloom, and once it is gone, it is gone forever. If it were mine, my great grand children would be admiring it in a family display case 50 years from now... I recommend that you don't sell it.

Bill, what's the best way to try to find this valuable Luger a new home?

One way is to offer it for sale here on the Forum. To do that you have to have a set price and offer it. Then it can be easily shipped to it's new owner.

Simpson's must have made you an offer? Or at least told you what they thought market price might be?

The estimates found on this Forum thread may mislead you..As nice and as rare as this pistol is the corrosion on the muzzle/sight and the ding on the underside of the barrel kick it out of the #10,000 range IMO.

You have excellent photo's by the way and you have been very straightforward with your presentation..It's still a beauty.

Jerry Burney


Jerry Burney

John and Jerry....thanks for the replies. I will advertise it here and see what happens. Thank you both!

If you want to really want to sell it, let me know, I'm a serious player.

Harry