John et al,

Now that the photos are in the gallery, can you assess the approximate value of each? I have no intention of selling them, want to distribute them to family members, and keep one for me! However, I would like to know about what the market says they are worth.

Robert

Robert...

Placing a market value on your guns without a detailed examination of each one, to include determining whether or not the parts are all genuine matching numbers or were force matched by the east germans would be sketchy at best, but I can tell you this.

Guns in lesser condition sell on AuctionArms.com and Gunbroker.com every week for as little as $450 and as much as you paid for all five of them for EACH gun...

I would not sell them for less than $500 each...IF I were going to sell them...but I will not ever sell a Luger that I manage to possess.

I notice that 4 of the 5 magazines are the milled/extruded variety instead of the stamped and folded type... How are the bottoms marked? If they are original "FXO" marked magazines in good condition, the magazines alone are worth almost half of what you paid for all 5 of these guns.

John,

S/42 magazine marked with a number 2 then a serial number, doesn't match gun.

byf magazine marked with a serial number (doesn't match gun) the letter 'h' from the suffix page, and proof mark #46, with the number 83 below that.

Mauser banner magazine is marked with serial number (same as gun) and the number 2.

42 41 marked with the number 2 and serial number (same as gun).

DWM marked with the number 2 and serial number (same as gun).

Can you expand on "milled/extruded variety instead of the stamped and folded type... and "FXO" marked magazines.

I'm learning a lot, and enjoying it.

Robert

The milled or extruded type magazines have the appearance that they have been machined out of a single block of metal...because they are.

here is an example:

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/fxomagexample.jpg

When you look at a folded sheet metal magazine's feed lips, you can plainly see that the magazine tube is made of two pieces (front and back) that are crimped together...

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/Fo...talmaglips.jpg

Naturally the milled type is the most durable.

John,

You're right, four of the five are milled, how could you see that without the magazines out?

Do the numbers I provided above shed any light?

Robert

I would tell you X-ray vision, but the truth is that the milled magazines just have a different appearance when they are in the pistol. The metal portion of the tube extends past the frame at the front when the magazine is installed.

The chances are that your magazines marked with matching numbers could very well be original, but that can't be determined without some very closeup photos of the tubes from both sides, and closeups of the bottoms from different angles... diagnosis from long distance must rely on good photos...

Robert,
so you are going to distribute them to family... I am your long lost brother on your dads side. Let me know when you get into town. We will have a few beers and exchange gifts that I have been saving for you all these years.
Big Norm <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

I just wanted to let everyone know that I finally accomplished shipping the Lugers from Yemen to the States.

For those interested, it was a pretty long process. Our initial application to the BATF was rejected on the basis of the Lugers being military. They stipulated that they must go through a licensed importer. However, Simpson's Ltd. was very helpful in this regard. Total time from application to receipt in the States was 9 months.

The beauracracy on the Yemen side was just as bad but circumvented with baksheesh.

I wanted to thank John Sabato for all his guidance. John, you are a gentleman!

Thor has got hold of two of them now, I can't wait to receive them!

Robert

My pleasure Robert... Glad these guns have a good home here in the U.S. with someone who appreciates them instead of being tucked into the waistband of a Yemeni cab driver... I spent a year in that part of the world back in the '70s and while grateful for the experience, I am glad I live HERE!

I have his nice K date, no joke, and his 1941 Banner Luger in my shop! The K date has been refinished before and shows some signs of missing stampings and numbers. The Banner is pretty nice with some pitting overall and on the barrel and grip straps especially. These Lugers are WELL WORTH what he paid for them. I dont know what the importation costs, but still I think he probably is well ahead of the game on these.

I hope we get to see good before and after photos Thor! So we can see that Luger magic that you weave...

You can see the before pictures on the members gallery about page 7 level.

Robert,

I have been trying to import a gun from Canada for the last 4 months, with little satisfaction thus far, my form 6 is â??still being processedâ?� is about the only words I can get out of BATF.

However I have heard that because the gun was military the application might be denied.

Investing another $200 - $300 to have it imported by a â??licensed importerâ?� is something that Iâ??m not prepared to do at this time.

Has anyone been successful lately (this Year) at getting Lugers from Canada on a form #6 ?
If so, I would like to hear from you

Thanks,
Jim

WOW, wouldnt this be a nice find! I was lucky to have worked on some of these after they came back.

Robert

I think that the best idea would be to post some photos just to have a better idea of what we are talking about.

Guys, this thread dates back to 2002! Alot of water over the bridge since then.

Comment by Alanint, emphasis by John S. :thumbsup:

I was lucky enough to restore a K date Mauser, Banner Police and Black Widow byf. I have before and After pictures if you want to see them. The transformation is pretty stark.

How do you feel about Browning HPs, Thor?

I just ordered a pre 1963 early style pistol from AIM Surplus, (they sold out of the early models in 20 minutes!). They appear to be police trade-ins and although I chose the "select grade", I don't really know what I will be getting.

Fine Firearm, I have restored 1/2 a dozen I think.