New Simson Vopo
 

I sold my Simson Vopo last fall after not working for a few months and wished I'd kept it (went to a good home).

A couple weeks ago I was contacted from my website (hosted by John D :rockon:) www.simsonlugers.com and received a request for info.

After giving him the info and he asked value, I mentioned that although I had given him a value, I would be interested in it. I also told him of the forum and that he could ask opinions of value. He trusted me :) and we made a deal.

Here is what it is and isn't. Almost all matching with Simson marked and correctly numbered parts. Take down, sideplate, mag catch, toggle, hold open are all marked #77 (probably other things). Frame is marked with two eagle 6's. Interesting thing is that the toggle bolt has three acceptance / proofs.
Grips are the nice Brown Bulls-eye Vopo, and its marked with a nice Volksmarking on an odd place?
It is serial number 777 - I own 701, which I believe (completely) was immediately after the 1925 dated specimens. Although its been worked over, it sure looks like the Geischert (sp) still has original white in the marking?

There are two magazines with it, both marked 777 - the police #1 is a FXO renumbered to 777, while the Vopo mag is #2 and original.
Barrel is a Vopo replacement and like new, with a post War Nitro proofing.

Ed

I like it !
It is "better" than the one you sold! ;)

Terry took a close up, looks like a 46?

Sweet! Very nice pistol you lucky dog! Interesting too...

It does look like a "46", but it is stamped over another, which looks like a circle, (maybe with and X inside)?

Very Nice Ed!

Ed, there are pristine and unused (after rework) examples of VoPo Lugers that are quite interesting.

I have a 1921 DWM that is very much like your Simson rework. New replacement barrel. Refinish that didn't buff out things. Bullseye grips...

Is the takedown lever a EG replacement? It's shape looks like it might be.

Was it import marked? Mine was brought in by the dealer in Peehauken, NJ...

Marc

thanks all

NO import marking that I can find - came from an estate - perhaps one of the ones bought by a GI from a Rod and Gun - I don't think those were import marked?
It looks like it was 'dipped' because the markings are really good - its take down lever has a faint number or marking next to it.

The takedown is original and matching. An EG takedown has an odd, lopsided lobe to it.

What a remarkable and early Simson! Congratulations again Ed...

Marc

Neat gun!
 

I love guns like that! makes you consider the complete history of the unit?... If that one could talk! It would start with something like! "Oh my God! Wait til you hear this!"..:eek:.. Nice gun Ed, Congrats! til...lat'r....GT ....:cheers:

Ed, I would offer, having been stationed in Germany in the mid-1980's, that a Luger purchased through a Rod and Gun Club would have to be imported would thus show import marks such as any imported pistol or rifle would show.

I don't believe one could ship back a Luger or any other weapon of war in his or her personal property and escape the import process and attendant markings.

I would be interested in comments by anyone else on this forum who has had a successful experience bringing back a Luger, P38, K98 or the like.

Very sincerely, David

David

David, thank you - I was not sure, i was there 93-00 and that was when many east german and russian lugers were sold and I did not know what I know now :rolleyes:
Anyway, I looked with a loop for a small mark - maybe the import marking as on the barrel and it was replaced (although its a Vopo barrel).

And it doesn't appear to be scrubbed. Maybe by luck it slipped through not being marked, that happened every now and then...

Ed

Prior to around November, 2000 the import mark could be under the grips in a place not necessarily visible in normal handling. The rules changed around that time.

I also have seen guns that must have been imported recently (a surplus Israeli FN HP for example) that have no import marks. I still don't understand that one...

With a head strapped magnifier

I looked on side of luger upper toggle rails
looked under grips
Looked close at finish on barrel
Looked inside mag well

I think I have looked at all the spots where I have seen 'hidden' import markings

Some are just missed, like any other endeavor that depends on people to do a chore; others sometimes missed on purpose I would suspect.

Some years ago, I bought a Benelli B-76 pistol that had no import marks or distributor (Sile Imports) on it any where. When I questioned Benelli, they offered that it may have been brought in diplomatically although not likely in the case of your gun.

Very true Tom, well I figure there are only a couple of options (3 I can think of)

1. Its barrel was replaced (which would be possible but a trick to find an east german)
2. Never marked
3. Brought to Canada or other country and came across our border

#3 is very possible, I know that years ago lots of folks went hunting over the ice - Canada to USA and back - folks not even trying to do anything wrong, they simply have done it for years :)

There were a fair number of unmarked RC lugers, I know of one collector who has four, IIRC.

I believe it has something to do with "who you know". ;)

same with the P1 and P38s that came into the USA, one dealer sold a bunch without any import markings before they got 'caught'....

So, I know it happened :)

Yes, I have a beautiful condition Walther ac/41, VoPo stamped, P.38 like that. No import marks. It's completely original with all matching numbers except the magazine is "force matched" and was given new, late war, AEG grips.

As G.T. commented above, if these guns could talk what stories they could tell. :)