New here with questions
 

Obviously, with my number of posts here, I'm new on this forum. I am also very ignorant about Lugers. However I really like Lugers and want to learn more. I've read almost all the threads in this Navy forum, trying to learn.

A friend's father has this gun. All I have are these photos that he has taken, but I think it is a Navy. Can you all take a look at them and give me an opinion. The story that goes with this gun, if true, makes it pretty interesting. But I'd like some opinions first to see if the story can be true.

Thanks.

You link only one photo, and the rest of the album is restricted. The rear sight looks like a Navy, but there are some very skillful repros around - plus some genuine rear sights being sold on GB.

More pics posted directly to this forum are your best bet for help. :thumbup:

Sorry. I realized it and fixed it right away. But not quick enough, I guess. Can you look again and see if I got it right?

Does this forum allow new members to post directly? I will gladly do that if so. Guess I'll read some more about how to use this forum.

They prefer you direct post the pictures so they will remain for future discussions. The pictures work and some close ups of the rear sights and the crown over M markings will be helpful. I am not an expert but if some one I trusted offer it to me I would buy it as fast as I could.

jerry

I hope this is what you mean by posting directly to the forum. The photos are still hosted on Photobucket. All I can see is inserting a link to a photo.

Edit: Removed PB links and put the photos directly into the forum. Starting at post #19. I had to reduce the resolution a bit to be within the attachment size limits of the forum. Please let me know if there is a better way to do this.

All the photos I have are in the photobucket album. Alas, he hasn't offered it, but I have offered to buy it. I'm dealing with the owner's son, with whom I work. Don't really think he's going to sell, but I want to learn about it anyway.

The resolution of the photos is high enough that you can zoom in on the crown/M markings and make them out pretty well.

Edit: Please look at the photos directly uploaded to the forum starting at post #19.

Hi Dave, Welcome to the forum. Thanks for posting those pictures of your friends Luger. It is indeed a highly desirable 1917 Navy. While it has some obvious condition issues, it looks like an honest gun. Regards, Norm
P.S. How about a picture of the magazine base?

Thanks for the welcome. Can you elaborate on the condition issues? I see the stain on the grip from the snap on the holster. He's obviously kept it in the holster. I'm going to give him a gun case to store it in.

It looks to me, from the photos (which is all I've seen) that the finish is original. Am I right about that?

As for the magazine base, I don't have a photo. But the serial number on the magazine doesn't match. It's close...

Hi Dave, The finish looks original to me. The barrel serial numbers show halos, as they should, and the small pin in the top of the left toggle is "in the white", also as it should be. The grips appear to be beech, which was common towards the end of the war, when walnut was in short supply. The issues I was referring to, are the abrasions on the chamber, possibly caused by too aggressive cleaning, and the stained grip that you noted. Does the magazine base have a Crown/M stamp similar to those on the left receiver? Regards, Norm

Hi Norm,

That I don't know. None of the photos shows the base. The only reason I know the serial number on the magazine is that the owner told his son, and he told me.

Thanks for your comments!

What does the "100" mean between the toggle and the rear sight?

Dave

Hi Dave, It means 100 meters. When the sight is moved up and back it will be set for 200 meters. Regards, Norm

Dave, I agree with Norm, Looks like a legitimate old Sailor. The condition is a little rough. Odd too because the grip straps are what I look at first to determine condition and these are beautiful! The right grip screw looks buggered.
Is the magazine matching?
Have you asked if there is a stock? Probly not but you never know!
Also is the pistol completely matching? You would have to open it up to determine that and see if it has the large toggle pin flange.
If the fellow won't sell it's frustrating.

Jerry:
I guess that you're settled into your Summer nest.

Neil

I did ask about a stock. Alas, no. As for matching, I only know what is in the photos. I haven't put my hands on it and it probably has never been apart by the guy who has it now. There are a few photos that show the serial numbers from the outside. Those parts match. The s/n on the magazine doesn't match.

I've made an offer to buy and I have to wait to see. I don't expect him to sell, but as long as he knows I'm interested, perhaps he will remember me if he does decide later to sell. This is the only gun he has, and, as you can see, he's not really knowledgeable on how to store it.

Can you tell from these photos if the caliber is 9mm? Any idea what a fair price might be?

Here's a Quick & Dirty thread on posting the pics directly to LugerForums. It is quite easy and fairly quick. :)

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=22994

If Ed Tinker were here, he would tell you that your pics are a valuable resource that LugerForums would want to preserve. Navy Lugers are among the rarer variations of Lugers, and good pics (like yours) are invaluable in identifying and describing the marks and identifying features of these pistols. :thumbup:

Very nice looking Navy Luger... :)

Knight Diver -

If you have any additional pics, please add them to the thread. And we would all like to hear the story... :D

The holster is interesting also. I don't think it is original, but it has very pleasing lines...

Notice the small amount of verdigris on the side plate, possibly from being stored in the holster for some lengthy period.

Photos in the forum
 

Because of attachment size limitations, I have scaled the resolution down a bit to post these directly to the forum. Hope that is acceptable. I want to preserve these photos where it makes sense. Thanks for being patient with me.

Additional photos
 

These are the last of the photos I have on this gun...for now.

The story
 

I work with a fellow whose mother's father was given this gun by his neighbor. The mother remembers only that the neighbor had a heavy accent. She thinks it may have been a German accent. But this was some time ago and she was a young girl. When I told my friend that the gun was a "Navy" version, he said his mother said that makes sense. Otto (the neighbor's name) was in the Navy. Sadly Otto has passed, so all we have are the memories, now faded, of my friend's mother of when the gun was given to her father.

My feeling is that Otto was in the German navy and it was his issued gun. I like the story of this gun.

Thanks for posting the pics to the Forum! I'm sure Ed would be pleased! :rolleyes:

You can post up to 1100 x1100 pixel .JPG's, IIRC...

I like that holster. Does anyone know who made it, or whether it was an 'issue' holster by some agency???

I am pretty sure it is a USA commercial holster, but I like it too :)


Ed

I am also quite sure the holster is US commercial.There were many manufacturers. I have over 75 different ones. Hard to tell if it was originally made for a luger. I imagine a luger has been in it for sometime. Does the holster have luger impressions inside (toggle prints,Safety lever prints)?Can we get a close up of the holster manufacturer logo? It looks familiar but the memory won't work. Thanks Bill

Ed it is a von Lengerke and Detmold holster. I think it is a very very rare holster. I like it too. I think it was made in the 1920th.
Thanks for sharing!

Yep, looks like the LP-08 holster Klaus posted over at Gunboards... :thumbup:

http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?p=92484

Holster logo
 

Here is a cropped image of the logo on the holster. But it looks like you guys have already sorted it out.

The "Rising Duck"... :p

Where else can you get guys from all over the world to help you figure out what the junk in your closet is?... :D

I only WISH it were in MY closet... :(

Nice correct 1917 Navy.
Bob