Luger from ww1 Inheratince gun, now what?
 

Hello,

My first post here, looks like a great place to learn.

My great Uncle brought back a Luger from ww1, complete with holster, magazines, even ammunition. We even have a picture of him with it the day he got it in France in 1918.

It has sat in storage for years, never fired, and is in excellent original condition. I will have pictures and all the numbers soon as my brother is putting everything together. We are going to sell the gun and the accessories as my mother who is in her 80's could use the money.

Where do we go to find out what this guy is worth, and how do we get the paper work done on it as it has never been registered as we just found out about it.

Unfortunately the state I live in (NY) has very strict hand gun laws, I have a Carry concealed permit, however, I don't believe that will help.

Right here is a good place to start. Post lots of pics, find out exactly what it is and in what condition, then browse prices with an online site like www.gunbroker.com (completed auctions!).

Yes, it will. You need to go down to your local Pistol Permit Office and explain it all to them. Do not take the pistol with you, they will tell you what to do. I live in NYS and more & more of these attic treasures are surfacing as [sadly] the vets are passing on... :(

Take all paperwork with you that you can - did he have a 'bringback' certificate with the gun??? The pic is a good proof of ownership as well. You may have to surrender it for a short period of time, but you will be issued a receipt for it.

I have seen 'walk throughs' in my local office; same story, vet bring-back, never registered. It was not a problem.

Good luck!

postino, I will stop down to the clerks office and see what they have to say..

Interesting about the vet bring back certificate, I did not know about that, will surely check..

Once I have good pictures and all the numbers I will stop back and post for the forums review.

We appreciate your help.....Thanks!

In my NY county you would end up turning it in so they can check to see if it was reported stolen. Then you would get it back if it is clean so you can register on your permit.

Is all that necessary just to send it out to an FFL or C&R?
dju

The govt is a tarbaby. Stick you hand on it at your own peril.

I'm curious as to what you mean by that.

I could be in a similar scenario with an old Luger that is largely undocumented. However, I am a MI resident with a CPL and our laws seem to be a lot less strict. In my case, it appears I could take ownership of the pistol simply by turning in a form to my local PD with sundry information (gun details, my details and signature, previous owner details and signature). The sticky part is that if the gun was never in the system, will some kind of red flags go up if I register it now.

I'm curious as to what you mean by that.

Read Brer Rabbit and the tar baby...The govt is not your friend.

Lissen to Jerry on this!
Talk to some knowledgeable folks in your area 1st thing!

If you're in New York be very careful who you talk to as law enforcment can't be trusted. New York is also very unfriendly towards firearms, especially handguns.

I think that the NRA would be a great place to find out what you CAN do before sticking your hand on that "tar baby"

It sounds like your brother may be the executor of your uncle's will.

He should do an inventory of everything that is being passed through the will.

He should also prepare a transfer letter showing who inherited the pistol, and under what provision of the will. If there is no will, probate may be involved. If this were going to your mother instead of you through the will, and she is declining the pistol this should be spelled out. The letter would define the pistol, characteristics, serial number.

I found a basic discussion about NY at: this site but it would be wise to find a local gun dealer / Class 01 or Class 03 FFL holder that should know the NY regulations well.

This discussion implies that a FFL should hold the pistol until you can get the NYS permit issued for it.

My condolences on your loss.

Marc

Pass it to a friend or relative in a gun friendly state like Pennsylvania and let them do the sale for you. There is no reason, in my mind, that one should have to report a family inheritance to any government especially when it passed from husband to wife.

You could have an FFL sell on consignment.

A guy found a Ac45 Walther PP in the wall of house he bought and was renovating here in NY. He did not have a permit and wanted to get rid of it.

He took it to the State Police who after confirming it was not stolen released it back to him and recommended he take it to my FFL who bought it and I happened to show up in the shop the same day and purchased.

Hi:

My best advice is to contact the national headquarters of the National Rifle Association and ask for a referral to a New York attorney with firearms knowledge.

Violating these seemingly silly laws can have very serious consequences.

For instance, if you "pass it" to a citizen of another state who is not licensed as a FFL, it is a Class A Felony!!!

There is no way I would discuss this matter with the New York police without having first discussed it with someone knowledgeabe of the applicable laws.


Sieger

Wow, what a response from the members here, great forum...

I did do some research yesterday and to my surprise the county clerks office (after an anonymous call) was very helpful.. The clerk said I would have to stop down and have my permit amended, and they would add the Luger to it, they would use my great Uncles name as the previous owner as a vet bring back. I mentioned that he is deceased, but she said that wouldn't make any difference. I think our county presently is in decent hands as the Liberal judge that put restrictions and gun permits based on his political stance is gone.

I will keep the forum posted to the turn out, once she is legal, I will post pictures and details, maybe somebody here would be interested in the gun, once the details are presented.

Thank-you for all your insight!

Sounds like a plan, good luck.

Recent pictures of Luger
 

Hello,

I am back with some pictures, perhaps they will help identify this Luger.. From what I can see all the marking numbers on the pistol match, the tool is in the pouch, with an extra mag. that has about 5 rounds still in it, as well as belt and holster.

Any ideas what it might be?

a few more pictures
 

If anybody would like to see pictures form different angles etc.. just let me know.

Thanks.

Do the magazines match? Could you provide more photos of the buckle and belt. Looks to be a telographers belt buckle. Are the any unit marks on the gip strap?

could you slo post pics of the back of the belt buckle?

Looks like some very nice stuff there. I'm guessing around $1500 if the mags. do not match, up to $2500 if they both match. That assumes that the numbers all match on the gun, no big surprises, etc.
Those are ballpark figures, mind you. It may look better in the flesh, but then again there isn't as much money out there for these as there once was.
dju

Here a re a few more pictures, I will get some more out tomorrow of the back of the buckle.. Had company over today so I haven't been able to get more pictures together.

Any ideas what the details might be for this set?

are there numbers on the bottoms of the mags? If so coud you provide photos? Also is there a chamber date on the pistol?

I believe after reading the information provided by the folks here that have been kind enough to assist and the information available searching this website, that this is an original 1917 DWM 9mm Luger, with belt, holster, maintenance tool, extra clip 5 rounds of original ammunition.

Not sure what to do next, possibly have it appraised if it is worth it?
Would appreciate your feedback.

Thanks

you just did ;)

You could send it to an advanced collector, or a place like Simpson's or Legacy Collectables, both do appraisals.

2 extra mags is nice, but not the same value as 2 mags with the same numbers.

Then retail value is different than collector value and different than me buying and want to resell :)


Ed

PM sent

Wayne

js007, Where in New York do you live?

Bob

Update on 1917 DWM Luger
 

Hello... Happy New Year!

We sent the Luger to SimpsonLTD for appraisal.

Here is a link for a good description, it is for sale.

https://www.simpsonltd.com/advanced_...19f4892a134819

Inventory number C14774

If you get the gun and holster back, keep the gun and mags out of the holster. The holster will eventually cause damage to the finish.

This is pretty neat stuff. Wish you didn't have to sell it, especially under the circumstances.