Fresh new Luger owner checking in
 

I recently dropped by a small local gun store to check with the owner who is a friend of mine. Kidding me he said that my gun is here. Having just purchase a new Sig the day before, I joked back and asked just what gun he was talking about. He said "a German Luger" and went on to say that he just took it in for consignment sale. Out of curiosity I asked to see it. That is generally the mistake I make before I end up with another gun purchase. Sure enough once he handed it to me I fell in love with it. I know next to nothing about Lugers other than I have occasionally fantasied about owning one some day. That day is here. I bought it

Its a 1939 P08 and supposedly matching numbers with the military stamping, with one supposedly correct mag out of two. Tool is missing. It came with a holster but I am unsure if it is original, but has a P08 stamp on the back.

I am just at the beginning to do some research on this gun and learn more about Lugers in general. I plan to contact the prior owner to get what ever information I can about the gun.

I just discovered this forum. What an amazing honey hole of Luger information. I am so impressed with the data and knowledge here. I am excited to be a new member and about my new hobby and collection of ....one Luger. :)

Looks like a nice Luger, to me.
Seems correct for 1939.

There are more serial numbers to uncover, but I'd be really interested if they all matched inside, as well.

I like the acceptance stamps on it. It's a great Luger to start with.
I'd be prepared to pay $2500.

Hope you can get more the story from the last owner, too!

You'll want to lookup how to disassemble it and check internal parts.
It's not hard and most of the references are here on the web site (see Technical Information).

I'd be more suspicious of the holster, until you can check it out better.
It looks like someone dyed it black and put a nice shine on it.

welcome to the forum!

when you say one 'correct' magazine, you mean same era or?

Ed

Mac Cat, I hope your estimate is accurate as you just made my day! My naïve, impulse purchase cost me $1,200 plus a $15 FFL fee. I fretted knowledgeable folks here would tell me it was worth $500. Frankly, I am just simply happy to be an owner.

I did watch a u-tube video on the complete take-down of a P08 and it appears a bit scary to me. I do want to do some careful cleaning and lubing after I spend time getting educated. The shop owner did say the seller told him that it was in fireable condition. I hope to connect with the prior owner this weekend.

Yes, the holster appears to have been painted or coated with something. I am not sure how I should deal with that misguided attempt to make the holster look better.

Any other thoughts or advice. I am all ears.

Ed, thank you. I am delighted to be here, sir. Further I am honored that you took interest in my newbie post. I have already read many of your posts. I am impressed!

I will include some pics of the mags and their side and bottom markings later tonight. I don't know enough to better respond to your question.

Here's pics of the two mags. As I said before the belief is one mag is correct and the other is not. That is what I was told. Can you tell me anything more from these photos? Thank you.

Looks like decent mags - even if you called them 'shooter' mags, the extra mag is worth $75-$100 by itself - holster I'd like more pictures, but there are many experts on here, I am just a collector who enjoys the luger.

You did good on your value, lets say it was a mismatched reblue, you'd still be looking at $750-$900 :)
And it looks good - as to take down, don't tear it all the way down. Learn how to take upper off, and toggle out. More than that and it can wait.

I take the unloaded luger, push it against a table (I use my leg) and push down, so the upper pushes back, this takes the pressure off of the take down lever, turn the lever, then the sideplate should come off easily. Then the upper, then the toggle pin will losen up.

Just like with cleaning, less is better.

I once had some nice bakelite or plastic grips (old original ones) that had paint on them; I used some cleaner I'd used before, but never on something like this and the grip melted.... hah hah - I'm an idiot. So, just remember, we all can be idiots :D

Ed

Hi and welcome.

Looks like a good one, and a good buy too.

I wouldn't rate it at $2500, but minimum $1500; it depends entirely on where, how, and who you sell it to. Witness the fact you bought it for $1200-obviously what the seller and you thought it was worth at the time! ;)

Don, mostly agree, except if you add in extra mag +$100 and holster +$150-$250 depending on how nice

He essentially paid around $1200 - I would say retail of $2500 is not unfair price, if I was selling, I'd try to get close to $2000 for it and keep the extra mag

The fxo unnumbered mag is worth at least $150.

Congrads, You lost your luger virginity and she's pretty! You will never forget your first!!!

Folks, thanks for all the informative comments regarding the value. It is reassuring to know that I didn't get taken on the deal. Heck, I was so mesmerized by the pistol, I know I would have paid more to get it.

Btw, as a matter of introduction, my name is Don. However, I saw numerous Dons as I scanned posts that I thought I'd use my rarer middle name....Eugene. Taking it further, I thought I'd borrow from the famous kriegsmarine crusier, the Prinz Eugen. I am on a German gun forum, right,? So hence I selected Eugen as my German meme.

I am so glad to be here. I think I am already addicted and I haven't even owned the gun a week.

Welcome Eugen,
sounds like you're already sick.:D

Welcome to the asylum! I mostly lurk here and ask the occasional stupid question which the guys here are gracious to answer without too much laughter! Nice pistol - you done good!
:cheers:

Eugen

Welcome to our Luger forum.

Although better and closer pictures would be preferable, I think that looks like a honest and unmessed 1939 Mauser Luger, with some honest signs of use but not abuse.
I'm not sure about the holster.

Kind regards.

Welcome aboard!
To round out the magazine comments, both magazines are era-correct, but neither "match" the pistol. In order to match, the magazine must contain the pistol's complete serial, letter suffix, a proof matching the pistol's production date and possibly, an "+" to indicate the spare magazine.

Everyone, thank you for your comments and warm welcome!
Alanint, thanks for your obversation and remarks regarding my two mags. I suspected what you said was true. Your informative comments validated my suspicion.

I thought I'd show a pic of the backside of the grips. The safety side has an "R" stamp and the other side has an "S" stamp. What do those letters mean? Are these original or replacement? Sorry about the upside down pic, I can't seem to get it oriented properly after repeated attempts.

So much to learn about my new to me 1939 Luger. I am having fun.

Most 1939 's had the last two digits of the serial number inside. Get the most!!! So many also without a serial number. The letters inside are inspector marks. The grips are probably fine and correct. Bill

I reviewed the FAQ, but I wasn't sure. Bill, thanks for your opinion. I was reluctantly thinking they might be replacements due to lack of serial number. But, I hope you are correct.

The fact that they are not numbered will always have to be "explained" as an exception; I'd just assume they are replacements and move on.:cool:

Don, either way, I really like your philosophy about "moving on". I bought this Luger on a complete whim, and to just own a Luger and have some fun with my ownership. Two weeks ago I knew nothing about Lugers. Now I know more about what I don't know. Or something like that.

Thanks for helping with my education.

To Mauser collectors I do not think the lack of grip serial numbers would need any explanation. Your grips show wear consistent with the rest of the luger. They also have inspectors marks. I feel these are correct and proper. Can I prove that. No. But prove they are not correct. And as Don said move on , so what,nice luger period. And a big welcome. Bill

It's quite common for 1939 dated Mausers to have unnumbered grips.

Congratulations, Eugene!
I think you did really well.
$1200 is a great price and $15 FFL is equally fair. (I have to pay $50 for FFL services)

Welcome.

Mac Cat, your comment is encouraging that my uneducated and impulsive purchase of this Luger fun gun was at a reasonable price.

Lastly, I do plan to visit Simpsons LTD as it is not that far from where I live.

I cleaned the gun and took a few more photos. I was relieved to see that all the parts (from those disassembled) where matching numbers. :thumbup: Any comments on the firing pin? I trust it is in good condition.

I am excited about my new to me Luger!

Hi Don/Eugen, and welcome to the forum.

Your firing pin looks fine, just like the rest of the gun.

As addictive as these are, understand that you have a very fine example from a great period and great manufacturer.

Bob's store is quite an experience. Be prepared to be overwhelmed. It's an interesting town too... He's right next to the railway museum and a couple of good restaurants. Ask Bob to show you his Luger room...

Bob sells an outstanding reference book he published for Geoff Sturgess called "The Borschart and Luger Automatic Pistol". It's expensive, and worth every penny.

Marc (also originally from Illinois)

Marc, thank you for your comments on the firing pin. That is reassuring to here. Yes, I am getting addicted to this hobby very quickly.

I am thinking about a road trip to Simpson LTD this weekend. From their website, the store and the guns and accessories that they have look incredible. This could be an expensive trip if I am not careful. LOL

Lastly, I moved to IL from NC. My ancestors are from NC.