New to the Forum
 

Just wanted to start a new post and introduce myself. My name is Bob and I live in N.C. I have always loved the Lugers and there is a specific reason why. Ever since I was a little kid I remember my Father's Luger that He bought back from WW II,even though it was locked up all the time. Its bee 20+ years since His death and I now have the Pistol. I really would like to know more about it from the people that really know these Guns. In the coming days I can post photos of it and maybe we can determine if this gun is just an average pistol or if its special in any way. I have the holster and 2 clips and the gun appears to be matching numbers. I guess first off maybe someone can tell me the basics of what I am looking for as far as condition,markings etc.. Thanks in advance for any and all help. Bob

Welcome
Congratulations on your new Luger and thanks to your Dad for serving.
The best advice is to photograph every marking or number you see on the Luger, including all serial numbers. Also, the holster and spare magazines have serials/maker's marks, which are of interest as well.
This is the best way to tell you what you have. It is already priceless, as it was liberated and belonged to your Dad, but perhaps we can tell you what monetary and historical value it has.

Thanks for the reply. I will take some time this weekend and get it out,photograph it and post some pictures. Its really is a beautiful gun. We had the pleasure of shooting it together one time back in the early 80's. It fired well but is not very accurate. Maybe I am just a terrible shot? I had it out a few month ago and noticed there is a service tool in the holster. Its also stamped 1939 which I guess is the assembly date? I guess one big question I have is am I hurting the weapon at all by firing it? I don't want to comprimise the condition in any way. Thanks,Bob

I respectfully submit that Lugers have a reputation for being extremely accurate, and that's all I'll say about that!

While you are not necessrily "hurting" the pistol by firing it, you are risking the damage or breakage of a numbered, matching part, which would literally cut your pistol's value in half.

If your pistol is an all-matching rig, (both magazines have the same number as the gun)? It would be almost criminal in certain collector's eyes to break a matching part on so rare an assemblage.
Please don't shoot it until we know more!!

OK,I will get it out and look closer at the pistol,2 magazines and holster and report back with what I find. Thanks again for taking the time to read my post. Bob

welcome to the forum.

Yes, pictures and description is needed :)


ed

Ed,
Will do. Just an FYI,I just ordered Vol 1 and Vol 2 of your books. I can't wait to read them. Thanks again for the reply. I am going to get the Luger out tonight. Bob

Welcome to the forum

Bob, I live quite close by and will be happy to help locally if needed.

Marc

Bob, WELCOME to the Forum. I'm sure you will enjoy it!! :)

Thanks again for all your responses. I already enjoy reading all the posts on the Forum. Its nice to know that the Luger is so well appreciated among collectors. Look for some photos in the coming days. I had planned to do it this weekend but I have not had any spare time. I will get to it one night this week for sure Bob

Welcome to the forum Bob, this sounds like a marvellous heirloom and for sharing some of its history with us.

Here are a few photos of the Luger. My camera is not the best. I think I may have to try and use a better camera before I take any more. Please let me know if you can make anything out here with these. Thanks,Bob

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/Luger001.jpg

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/Luger005.jpg

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/Luger004.jpg

very nice

Bob,
Pretty good photos, but to begin with we need a photo of the top of the gun to help determine who made it (manufacturer) and when. We can go from there for specific markings and further details. It appears to be a Mauser made example from WWII.

Ron,
OK,Thanks for the reply. I will take a photo of the gun and post it tonight. Bob

Ron,
OK,Here is a photo of the top of the Luger. Thanks,Bob

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...r/Luger014.jpg

Bob, it's hard to judge finish when the photos are taken with a flash. They look much better when taken in natural indirect light.

You'll also get better results if you can use a tripod and trigger it with the self timer.

Looks like you have a nice crisp Mauser "42" code Luger from 1939 in original finish.

I also have a 1939 "42" code that may be similar in finish appearance. Do all the small part numbers match? The "42" code was a later variation that year, which started with "S/42" marked pistols. Jan Still's forum has a summary of the year's variations here.

The serial number of your pistol would be the digits and suffix letter found on the front of the frame above the trigger guard. I think I can make out "6243" on the receiver. Is the number "63" stamped inside the trigger plate?

If you remove the grips to check markings on their back sides, be very careful not to break the left grip near the safety lever. Just barely lift the grip off the frame before sliding it away. Also be careful with the screw slots.

If the finish bluing appears "thin" to you, I think that it was not unusual in pistols made in this period. My own 1939's finish looks almost translucent.

Next please post pictures of the magazines and the holster and any loading tool. Are these matching also?

If this is all matching and you're looking for valuation for insurance purposes, I would think the pistol alone somewhere between $1500 and $1700. If the magazines are numbered to the pistol, add $500-600. A correct period holster would be $250-$300. A period marked loading tool another $100.

Simpson's Ltd and FSG Firearms (among others) have websites that should show you similar rigs priced at retail.

While not particularly rare, your pistol looks to be in particularly nice condition. The higher percentage of original finish the more valuable.

Marc

Marc,
I will take some time to get into more specific details on the Luger and let you know what I find. I will also take some photos of the 2 clips and the holster I have for it. One thing I know about the holster is that is does not look at all like the ones I usually see for a Luger. It does however have the field tool inside. Should that tool be stamped as well to match the gun? Thanks,Bob

Ok,got the Holster and clips out today. Here are a few pictures of them. Bob

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...Luger003-1.jpg

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...Luger002-1.jpg

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...Luger001-1.jpg

Interesting holster! Modified from an Astra or a C96 Broomhandle? Is it marked?

Welcome to the forum!

I don't think its been modified at all but can't be 100% sure. I remember this since the early 60's and I am sure its the way My Dad brought it back from Europe in 45. I just know it does not look like any other Luger Holster I have seen. I looked it over and did not see any obvious markings. It always had the take down tool in the holster. Any way to tell for sure what it is?? Thanks,Bob

The "Dotted Line" rectangle on the front of the holster is where the magazine pouch was removed from the original holster. It is definitely a well-done conversion from a holster for another gun to a luger holster, I am just not sure which one. Could have been done by a commercial holster maker during the war.

OK,I understand what your referring to. I really never noticed that before you pointed it out. I am going to look over this very carefully to see if I can find any type of marking. I would really like to find out if this could of been the original holster for the gun or not? Thanks,Bob

Bob
Interesting holster. I am sure it was not what was initially issued with the luger. This appears to be a well converted broomhandle holster. Hard to tell when it was done. It could rest with my holster collection anytime. Bill

Some Weimar police unit marked short barrel Red 9s came with similar holsters. This holster should be a conversion from one of those.

Question: If converted from a C96 holster...Why would a C96 holster have a magazine pouch???

I think that side magazine pouch was an add-on. Original C96 holster did not have that pouch. C96 holster had a front pouch (holding clip of ammo, or spare magazine spring? I don't know), which was removed from this holster.

While researching something else, ran across a picture of a very similar holster on page 119 of Jan Still's Weimar and Early Nazi Lugers. Looks pretty much identical!

This one was paired with a Weimar reworked Police Luger.

According to the text, this holster is police marked P.B. 130. The conversion from Broomhandle to Luger holster consisted of adding a magazine pouch, loading tool pouch, and a larger flap to cover the magazine pouch.

Bob,
very nice 1939 luger you have there. Mrerick had mentioned the other variation of the 1939 code the S/42 here is an example of mine. the S/42 code stoped sometime in april of 39

steve,

very nice

Hugo,
WOW,that looks identical to it. I think you have solved the mystery. Thank You so much for posting this photo. I wish I had asked My father more questions about the Gun but like many Vets He did not like to talk about the War much. My Mom would push Him to talk and He would finally give in and say a few things but not much. I asked my Mom this week if this is the holster He brought the Gun home with and She said Yes so I knew it was period correct. After looking over the holster carefully I see a very faided round stamp. I will try to photograph it and post it but it may be hard to see. Thanks again for posting the photo. Bob

Steve,
Thank You. You have a beautiful example as well. Thanks for taking the time to read the thread and post a photo of your Luger. Bob

Bob, A rarely seen holster for sure! If the pistol were earlier I would suspect a Police association. As it is the pistol and holster could have been married up before your Father got it.

You were asked about the serial numbers on your magazine bottoms earlier but I don't see where you answered that? Are they matching or Police?

Jerry,
Thanks for the post. You are right,I forgot to document my findings on the 2 clips. 1 of the clips matches the serial # of the Gun. The 2nd clip has a 425 stamped on the bottom and a few other markings below it. One of them is a + sigh stamped into it. Not sure if this info sheds any light on the origin of the Gun and Holster?? Thanks,Bob

Bob, Neither one of these magazines are "clips" That is a misnomer commenly used by people unfamiliar with firearms nomenclature. Something along the line of using lugar rather than Luger. It is a highly noteable mistake.

Your magazine with the matching number and a + identifies your pistol as an Army. Made an Army and stayed an Army.

Your other magazine with 425... and "a few other markings below it?" Do you know how unsatisfactory that description is to those who are trying to investigate what you asked about?

Magazines can be a very important portal with which to look at the history of a pistol..Particularly those that came home with a bring back and especially matching ones.

Jerry,
Sorry for the mis-quote. I will take a photo of each magazine and post it this weekend. Some of these markings are very small and may not show up well but its worth a shot. Thanks,Bob

Ok,finally got around to getting the additional photo of the magazines. Here is the end with the markings on it. The one on the left matches the Luger. Not sure of the origin of the one on the right. I know the quality is not that great so I may have to get a better camera to photograph these.
Thanks,Bob

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/a...Luger005-1.jpg

Bob,
Your matching magazine 6743u looks good. It has the correct 1939 straight winged eagle/63 acceptance stamp. Your other magazine 425e has a droop winged eagle/63 acceptance stamp and is from a 1935 G date luger.

Tom

Tom,
Thanks for the info. At least I know the 1 Magazine is original to the gun. I am betting that the other magazine was matched up with the Gun when it got the holster. I am going to look over the holster closer in the daylight to see if I can find any stamps or markings. Bob