First Luger
 

http://s998.photobucket.com/user/sha...lideshow/LUGER

Opinions?
Thanks. Shawn

Looks like a good honest luger. A lot depends on what you paid for it. Especially since it has some wear areas. Welcome to the Forum and the crazy world of luger collecting. Bill

Looks like a good one to me. Any ideas on the metal plate on the top, right grip? Inherited? What can you tell us about it's history?
dju

This was sitting in a display case in a gun shop for the past 25 years. It is a bringback that was in a full chest of other German militaria from WW2. I was able to buy the Luger with what is pictured from the lot for $1100 out the door.

One of the Gentleman on another forum gave
me a value of $800 on the top end for the whole rig.

If the gun is all matching and in the condition shown, the gun itself is worth at least what you paid. The holster another $150-$200+ and extra mags about $150 each.

I am also curious as to the grip modification. Clearly someone whent to alot of trouble to create that reenforced notch. I can't even venture an educated guess as to what it is meant for.

Was he trying to buy it from you for that?
dju

No. He was answering a question. I asked him what it was worth. I also have an all matching 42 code 1939 dated K98 in about 85% condition, so I wasn't looking to sell it right now. Kind of uncanny to find 2 guns both coded and dated the same.

Although it does need a lanyard loop as someone took it off. Clean holes and no damage where it was though. Any idea where to get one or who can install one?

Tom Heller here on the forum (was the Tom that Jerry mentioned) is on the forum as LugerDoc. But GT (who goes by G.T. here on the forum) can do almost anything mechanical like that.

Ed

Thank you. Now where to get one???

Tom Heller on the forum may have it

put a want to buy here on the forums

Hi Shawn, I saw the valuation discussion on Jan's forum. Jerry was taking many things into consideration when he answered your question .The reason is that there are many things that impact a Luger's value.

It's very unusual to see a lanyard loop removed from a Luger. For that reason, and because of the nature of the attachment, there are not a lot of spare lanyard loops floating around as parts. I expect that the best way to "acquire" one is to have it fabricated. It will then require installation and fitting (grinding down the peened stubs, an finishing things off). All of this is not inexpensive, and then you end up with a Luger that wasn't as it was when it left the factory.

Being as close to "factory state" as possible is the goal for Luger collecting. Any variance from that impacts collector value.

I think your Luger in that good condition is worth more than a basic "shooter" but not what a higher grade collectible Luger would bring. $1,100 for everything is reasonable.

- - - -

The slot and metal reinforcement in the left grip impacts value. This is not a "normal" modification. The combination of that and the removal of the lanyard loop makes me wonder if someone was trying to put together some kind of shoulder stock for it, or some kind of mount for a sight.

Marc

Thanks. Anyone have any ideas on the grip mod?

It MAY help if you post photos here, not photobucket, showing very close-ups of the outside of the right grip, right side of the gun without the right grip, closeups of the metal plate, etc.
But, honestly, at this point I have no idea...
dju

[attach][attach]Attachment 43929[/attach][/attach]

That must be one short screw...
Any signs of cracks or other damage that the plate could be re-enforcing?
Or is there a lip on top that could help to secure it in the frame?
Is it glued in? Wonder what's underneath...
dju

No crack, glue,etc. or anything. I might have to remove it for curiosity sake.

Also, there is a notch out of the grip where it is.

Don't damage it for the sake of curiosity...
dju

I would bet that the metal plate is one man's solution to keep a loose grip from rotating. Sorry sold out of lanyard loops. Tom

Perhaps, but why the deliberate notch through the grip?

Looks like an honest Mauser Luger with its bump, is it all matching? How is the bore? Strange about the removed lanyard loop. In any case it's a nice gun and perhaps a good shooter, but as an additional warning, old Lugers should never be fired with modern high speed and high power ammunition.
Safe shooting.

Sergio

I still think that the removed lanyard is part of the mystery. That, in combination with the slot in the grip, perhaps once formed the base for some sort of sight mount, as earlier suggested.

Are you thinking it used to be fitted with some sort of colapsible stock like the Thiemann?

Possibly. A loose grip would have been fixed by adding material such as wood filler or glue to the edges. The notch, rear cutout and screwed-in metal plate seem like way too much work to just snug a grip. This mod had a very specific purpose.

"I still think that the removed lanyard is part of the mystery. That, in combination with the slot in the grip, perhaps once formed the base for some sort of sight mount, as earlier suggested."


I think the same.

The metal attachment looks like it has been there a long time, but the grip is not stable enough to be a sight mount since it is only retained by the screw at the bottom. While it may have had a mechanical purpose that is currently unknown to us, I can't concur that a sight mount is a plausible reason...:cheers:

The inletting on the inside of the grip is certainly done purposefully, and the screw holding the plate would have to be VERY short so that it did not pierce or protrude beyond the outer grip surface. This would not be a substantial location to mount anything. perhaps, the grip got a chip knocked out of it, and this was the owner's method of providing some support at the top edge where the grip fits into the frame for mounting? At least until a new grip could be acquired... and then maybe the gun was captured before a replacement grip could be obtained.

All speculation of course, except my statement that this surface would not be sturdy enough to support an accoutrement/accessory attached to the grip.

:cheers:

Just my $0.02 Spend it wisely... :D

Ah! The last of the big spenders. :D

Anyways, I agree with you said, it's not stable enough for a sight mount.