1906 Navy
 

I am wondering if someone can help me out. I just inherited my Grandpa's 1906 Navy Luger that he brought back from the war. I have 2 questions about it. First is obviously, how much is it worth. The gun in is excellent shape, Grandpa never shot it. But the other one is there are some markings on the but of the gun that I can't identify. They are W.W. and below that is the number 1387. The W's are not like any font in the pictures here they are just like a normal W. The 1387 does not match the serial number at all. I have attached a picture of what I can't identify, the markings are right below the grip safety. Can someone help me out? Thanks!

Hi Lance, Welcome to the forum! The W.W./1387 marking on the rear grip strap is a Naval property marking indicating that this gun was delivered to the Wilhelmshaven Werft (dockyard). This was Imperial Germany's North Sea naval base. To assess value we need to see several clear photos, left side, right side and the serial number under the barrel. If you are reluctant to publish the serial number you can email me at: normrab@comcast.net. I'll send you the link to the Navy List, which lists all known surviving Navy Lugers. I'd like to add yours to the list. Regards, Norm

Thank you so much Norm! I will get some pictures taken. Do you want me to send them to you for analysis? I can probably get those sent out by tomorrow.

Hi Lance, Posting your photos on the forum would be best, everyone would like to see a nice Navy Luger. If you're reluctant to do that you can send them to me. Regards, Norm

Jerry,

Unfortunately I do not have the holster or the stock for it. I do have the paper signed by his CO giving him permission to bring it home. It had some bad termite damage on it, so I laminated it before it could get any more damage to it. I will try and post pictures of the gun tomorrow.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Lance

Jerry, I'm astonished that you would interpret the words "Posting your photos on the forum would be best, everyone would like to see a nice Navy Luger", as an attempt on my part to "siphon off photos of Navy Lugers'. As you yourself said, "Paranoia will distroya". Norm

Pictures
 

Here are a couple pictures of the gun!

While I love a flame war as much as the next member, I've noticed that *many* new members are reluctant to post pics, especially showing the serial number...I've even seen them blocked out!!! :eek:

I suppose that they think some past owner might try to reclaim their Luger... :rolleyes:

Thanks everyone for your willingness to help. I will work on getting close up and better quality pictures and get those posted as soon as I can. I do have one request though, let's just forget about getting mad at each other and just be normal civil human beings to each other. I don't care who said what or anything like that. Jerry you are right, I am just trying to find out more information about what my grandpa left me. If my camera won't get good enough pictures, I have a friend who is a professional photographer, her camera will DEFINITELY be able to get good high quality close up pictures! Thanks again for everyone's help!!

This kind of exchange is highly unusual here on this site. Please do post better photos as everybody is eager to learn more about your inheritance. Navies are rare pistols and we do get exhited when one comes out of the woodwork.
Serial numbers are important as additions to the data base and may even produce a historical context. We look forward to seeing more of your treasure!

I tell you what, guys play nice or I'll delete everything except Mr lance' s remarks!@!@!@!

Why is everyone being so thin skinned? I thought that was my area??????

Eric,I'VE POSTED MY LUGER FAMILY FOR CLOSE TO TEN YEARS! never a problem!!! These are your finest 'GENTLEMEN' anywhere!

I'm Kevin, Lance's more awesome older brother. Here's some better pics of our new inheritance.

Norm- If you wouldn't mind sending that list of remaining Navy's, I'd love to see it. You can send it to bacon7477@hotmail.com. Thank you!

Thanks for posting those Kevin. You just wish you were as awesome as me!

Still no serial number for the database, guys?

hey all, The pictures above should be sufficient to get an idea how much it is worth. For now, Kevin and I are not going to post the serial number. We really do appreciate everyone's help with our questions! We just don't see the need to post the serial number. Not trying to be rude or anything, but we just don't see the merit in it. Thanks again for your help!

Lance..Then I suspect you will be on your own. If you don't want to share most guys here will not see the merit in helping. It's a two way street no matter how awsome you think you are.
Too bad you don't see the merit in it.

Jerry, please explain to me why the serial number is needed? That's why we don't see the merit in it. We don't understand why the serial number is needed for anything. That doesn't change anything from what we have already posted. Please don't be upset with our ignorance, this is new to us.

I freely post my serial number. Its like showing pictures of you childen with no faces! Certain models bear certain values. There are certain nuisances. My test luger fell in a precise range Test gun #6786 Serial numbers are unique as a fingerprint. Ron Wood is our resident expert. Serial numbers are essential,First do they fall within Bannerman purchase? Second the suffix match the time. This small essentual is necessary. Maybe you have your own reasons. Impossible for a pure evaluation or appraisel

No offense, but, the serial number gives the gun a historical context. It helps establish exact date of manufacture and year in some cases. It may show place and date of issue or assignment to a specific unit. It may establish a start or cut off date for certain features and changes/adaptations in the firearm.
For your purposes, it might help establish value, as some serial blocks are rarer than others.
Nobody here wants to steal your pistol nor do they want to somehow use the serial for some obscure, nefarious purpose. The only interest is historical and serial numbers are offered up freely here on a regular basis. Nobody, to my knowledge, is looking for a lost or stolen Navy.
The only reason I can see for someone to withhold a serial number would be because THEY perhaps have something to hide.

With all due respect to everyone in the forum, we just don't feel the need to publish the serial number online. I don't need to publish the vin number to my truck to a bunch of random people on the internet or register it into any kind of database available to the general public in order to find out the value. We appreciate the information you've given us and if you would care to weigh in on a estiamte we would greatly appreciate it. If not, that's ok too. Thank you for your help. Cheers!

Lance, 06 Lugers were made in a certain time frame and sequence. To accurately analyize your pistol for worth it is necessary to authenticate it. The serial number is an integral part of that authentication. Both the numbers and the small letter suffix if there is any.
Further it will also be necessary..to fulfill your questions about worth to look for every serial number hidden on the pistol. There will be a 1-4 number serial on the front of the frame and under the barrel. There will also be various parts on the pistol with 1-2 serial numbers, the last 2 numbers of the main serial number.
All of this comes together to determine if the pistol is as it should be. That and dozens of other little nuances but the serial numbers come first. Without those..it is simply not possible to determine a value to this pistol.

But if you insist on a value with the information you are willing to give I value it at $12-1500
IF the pistol were able to be authenticated the value might more than double.

The vin for your truck and the serial number to this pistol are apples and oranges. There are literally HUNDREDS of Lugers out there with this same serial number. The Germans used serial numbers over and over.

Without a serial number it would be impossible to confirm this to be a 1908 Navy as an example! #2505b
Good Luck!

Lance:
It is apparent that you have suspisions about the motives of the people on this forum. Most of the participants on this forum are a tight knit group of individuals who have an intense interest in the many variations of Lugers, the intricate and individual details of each and in their history. They freely exchange information about their collections and have genuine trust of each other. Numerous data bases are maintained by various individuals, such as navy Lugers, byf 41's and 42's, Imperial commercial models, etc. Please remember, you don't have to participate in this forum--it's voluntary. I'm just saying.......

Neil

This web site has nvy lugers for sale

http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?...4a0fa042f29401

I have picture of my 2 twin grandaughters. They look the same. Like some luger on there face seem simular yet their personalitys differ like night and day. -A new model luger contains over 40 individual part. Then no less 70 models. If you care not to take valuable advise or knowledge or we still may not know and after reading just some of the assets givin you. Drive your path as you see it. Or is it 'Buyers Remorse'?One more thing if Your serious read these and other book on the topic.I am a Newbee collection a little more then 12 years. Lugering is was cool if you you decide to Listen then make your own conclusions! None of up have the largest diamond on the block.

Lance:

Welcome to the forum! Several of the experts here track the surviving examples of rare guns. For that purpose the number is appreciated. You could share it via private message if you don't want it made public.

As Eric said, the number is critical to authenticate and estimate value of the gun as being in the proper serial range and classify it under any sub variation that is applicable.

The serial number also gives peace of mind to the experts here that they are not valuating a stolen firearm, and can serve you as additional provenance should the pistol become lost or stolen from you.

When I ask the expert here for information based on their years of experience and research, I provide them with whatever they ask for, and consider it a courtesy to provide information about my gun during the process that will assist them in their records and research.

Thanks for sharing photos of such a rare early Luger!

Clark

Ben, Pointing these fellows to Simpson's, Gunbroker or any number of sites with Navy lugers for sale will do them no good..They can't accurately compare their pistol to any other. It has not been authenticated, discussed, disassembled, or analized. Since it is an unknown entity they can compare it all they like. They will still be ignorant of what makes it right or wrong. They came at first asking the right questions but no one here can help those who will not help themselves.

There are dozens of small qualities that affect value as most of us here know..if we cannot know this information then we cannot tell Lance the good from the bad.

Sending them to Simpson's site will likely give them an inflated and false idea of what this pistol is worth.

Lance, If you have not disappeared altogether..Send your pistol to Simpson's and they will accurately determine the value for you.

My setiments exactly.