1937 s/42 Luger - Interested in determining the value
 

I'm a total novice at this, but it looks to me that the numbers match (43 on all the parts I can see without breaking down the gun). The clips do not match (9999 and 6198). Nor does the holster (01112). The condition looks to be not so great with a fair amount of rust present. Forgive the photos, I struggled with the macro setting on my digital camera.

Thanks for any help anyone is willing to offer.

pic 1
 

pic 2
 

pic 3
 

pic 4
 

pic 5
 

pic 6
 

pic 7
 

pic 8
 

pic 9
 

pic 10
 

email
 

No takers on the board yet. Please feel free to email if you'd like...

dhsingletary@gmail.com

Hi,

The pictures are a bit of a problem and stand in the way of a good assessement. I think that's why the number of reactions is limited so far.

It looks like an honest gun, but the condition is a problem, although some thorough cleaning should improve it's looks a lot.

The condition slips it into the shooter value range imho. The holster should clean up nicely and could bring a nice sum on it's own when taken care off. I'd consult the leather specialists here before whipping out the saddle soap, though.

The gun is an early 1937 S/42 (Mauser), made before they switched to the salt dip blue, which took place in 1937.

oil
 

I'd rather leave that to someone who knows what they're doing. I'm mainly interested in determining a fair selling price. I'll post better photos soon. Thanks for the info on the holster.

I'm in Yurop, so can't give you a good value to work with, but the pistol would be somewhere in the 500 - 700 region, the holster, if it cleans up well, in the 200+ area?

Is this the gun that was just on gunbroker?

got a link?

Nope.

I have been buying and selling at gun shows over the last 3-4 months, and what I have seen there and on line (gunbroker / ebay) is a luger like this, I'd offer $400 for it, $500 with the holster, clean it up and hope to get $550; the holster looks a bit rough too, I sold one like it for $125.


When I've had holsters at shows and on ebay, I have been lucky to get $225 for a nice one; I think my pictures are too nice and my description too accurate... In other words, I don't make it sound rare and "mint" as some folks say.

Ed

With the active rust visible in virtually all areas, I would have to agree with Ed Tinker's assessment of the selling price you should ask.

There is a recent posting (made by me) on a good method of rust removal that should not do any additional damage or metal removal... so do a search for rust removal and you will find it. It is a simple process and once completed you can wipe it down with a soft cloth and oil it. It may bring a little more if the photos don't show any rust. Good Luck.

soft rust removing
 

I used Never Dull to get rid of lightly rustes areas on edged weapons. It is soft and does not scratch at all like steel wool, but I guess Never Dull can remove the blueing of the gun, too.
Does anybody have experience with the use of Never Dull on a blued surface?

I have used it on brass to clean it and it will remove that finish so be careful..I believe it will do the same to the blued...