New to the Forum
 

Hi! I have a 40 42 Luger (Mauser) that was given to me by my uncle who has since passed away. He had two which he shared with my brother & me. He was in the Army in WWII, possibly in the 84th. I remember him having these as child (I'm 59) along with a sword/saber and other items which have since disappeared somewhere.

It is complete with an excellent holster & tool. Everything is in excellent shape. I had a local gunsmith take a brief look at it and he said it was the nicest example he had ever seen (of course he was in his late 20's, or so) ;) He rated it "at least a 90%."

I have field stripped it and cleaned it thanks to the excellent youtube videos available. This site is a wealth of knowledge.

All numbers match, although I didn't want to risk pulling off the wood grips. The only non-matching numbers are on the magazines. One is aluminum bottom the other black plastic. I will check to see if maybe my brother's Luger may have the correct one.

Is there any issue with taking it to the range and running several rounds through it? Or is this heresy? I've been told the Winchester white box 115 grain 9mm Luger FMJ is an appropriate ammo for this? Any risks? Anything I should know as a Luger novice?

This gun will continue to stay in my family so I guess its true market value isn't that relevant other than for insurance purposes.

Hope to add some photos later today.

It's a bad idea only if something breaks...Tough choice if you are not ready/willing and able to go buy a second Luger as a shooter..It helps us to appreciate these gadgets to shoot them, however will hurt the value IF a numbered part should fail. I guess it is a decision that you will have to make. I would be tempted to buy a box of shells and fire it, but most others on this forum, more learned than I, will bristle at that suggestion.
The ammo you mention is probably a good choice.
As per value, in today's market, based on what I read, maybe $1500-$2000.
And welcome to the board!
DJU

Thanks for the input and the welcome.

I realize there is some risk, but if the intent is to never sell it I suppose it doesn't matter? I couldn't imagine anything catastrophic happening. I own a couple classic cars. I can't imagine letting them sit in the garage. I guess I feel the same about the Luger.

""I own a couple classic cars. I can't imagine letting them sit in the garage. I guess I feel the same about the Luger. ""

Classic cars can be rebuild and their value will rise, but not so for a Luger, once it is slightly marked or modified by something it will lose its collector value.
But that is my option. ;)
Alf

Valid point,

As with my classic cars, I found a relatively easy solution to counter this. I select less-than-perfect samples for testing, target practice and general fun. I have a daily driver that has some blemishes, so I don't have a heart attack when my retarded neighbor bumps into it (as he did last week) and I keep the good cars in the garage/workshop.

I do try to keep things matched though. When I take the S/42 to the range, I'll transport it in a Mercedes with black leather interior so the leatherwork matches. But when I take the LP08 with it's light brown leather rig, I take the 300SL with light brown leather interior. Am looking for a green ribbed velours holster for the other car, though :)

I guess you could change out the small numbered parts that are more prone to failure. Contact the LugerDoc and I bet he could get yours ready for the range with the breakable original goodies safely at home.
Not to say that a larger part could not fail, just less likely.

I do try to keep things matched though. When I take the S/42 to the range, I'll transport it in a Mercedes with black leather interior so the leatherwork matches. But when I take the LP08 with it's light brown leather rig, I take the 300SL with light brown leather interior. Am looking for a green ribbed velours holster for the other car, though :)[/QUOTE]

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

Gosh! I took my byf shooter to the range in a TR-4. Did I sin?

A German gun in a British car! Unforgivable! :grr:

Guess, I'll have to get derringers since I have classic Minis.....:roflmao:

There you go, think'n again. :cheers:

It doesn't happen often...
DJU

My father was in the 84th infantry and brought one home also. I fell heir to it after his death. It also happened to be a 42 / 40. If he only knew what that pistol started !!

Took it to the range last night with my two sons. Shot about 50-70 rounds through it. we all were impressed with its accuracy and ease to handle. What a sweet pistol! :thumbup:

Oh, btw. Nothing went wrong or broke. Maybe those Germans knew how to build a great pistol? ;)

Random Shot:

Good for you! Your Luger would not have survived if it were a poor design! Shoot the hell out of it and have fun! It something breaks, you replace it.

Collectors have a different option in this regard though. I have fired most of my WW1/WW11 guns at least once. Yet, I have a few that I feel best be left alone as they are in wonderful condition and all matching rigs.

The only problem I foresee you have in this regards is that you only own one Luger and two sons.

All the best and have fun shooting the Luger.

Regards,

George

Thanks, but I actually have THREE sons, all of whom love the Luger.....they'll have to draw straws...

No... no straws... buy two more before the prices go any higher! :D

"A German gun in a British car!! Unforgivable!!

I agree...Here is a proper combination. Throw in a couple of potato mashers, a camera, holster, traffic paddle and the Luger and you're good to go.
Steve

Lil Red
 

Actually my German car is red. It has transported Lugers a few times. (But no potato mashers.)

Proper would be a 1929 M-B Gazelle. Not the reproduction kit car. I know where one is but, alas, it has no motor. My Lugers will just have to suffer.

FN

I hope you are not refering to the little red car above as a kit car?? (Read your post again and think that I understand it) 1939 would be better, but 1988 was the closest that I could get.
Steve

Ah, the weather was nice, health stabilizing, so a good day for a range trip in the 'light brown holster thingie':