1936 reblued
 

Hello, I am new to the forum and the reason I joined is too get your opinions on a "1936" Krieghoff Luger I recently inherited from my Uncle. I have been researching it for a couple of weeks and have been told this is the place to come. It is in good condition, has the full 1936 chamber date and the H&K sword/anchor logo on the toggle. It has serial# 53** on left side and 2 Eagle-2 proofs on the right side. They are a bit faint, but are there. Grips are in very good condition. I have 2 magazines, but they are not matching. Also have a 1936 Ryffel & Borns Hannover holster that is in very good condition w/eagle proofed take down tool. Wondering what you might think entire rig is worth. Thanks

Better photos are really necesary. At first blush, your pistol appears to have been buffed and reblued. It is also missing the front sight.

Both these issues affect the value significantly.

keep an eye on dealer sites as these hk lugers come up for sale.

here is one outfit.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?...b66c9da62b79fe

Yes, unfortunately I have looked high and low for the front site. I do believe it was on the Luger when I first handled it a few years ago when my Uncle was still alive. It has been in my Uncles posession for over 40 years and I am 99% sure he never had it re-blued. So I do not know when or if that was done.

Tom Heller, (Luger Doc), here on the site can supply you with a replacement

I moved this from the previous thread, good to have its own thread....

I have emailed around about a replacement. Do you think it is a good idea to get a replacement front sight for the Luger?

I have read some tips on how to get some better quality pics and am working on posting them up asap. I would like some more opinions on condition of Luger and value of pistol and the other accessories. Also, opinions on replacing the front sight. Thanks

Why wouldn't you? I don't mean to be blunt, but this gun lost it's virginity a long time ago.
Regards, Norm

I agree, I was just wondering if putting a replacement sight or any replacement part on a Krieghoff would do more harm to it's value than just leaving it as is???

A replacement sight can only help the sellability and actual use of the pistol.

If it were my HK - I'd install a new front sight and not look back.. I think it would appreciate being returned to somewhat of its former glory - at least in part...

And oh? I've been known to have one (or two, or ;) ) more HKs.. Ask Ed - he's actually shot a few...

;)

John

'd install a new front sight and not look back..Yup..Needs a sight!

I have Pm'ed and e-mailed Tom(Luger Doc) about a front sight, but have not gotten a reply. Any ideas?

Patience,

Tom will respond.

Tom seems to catch up on correspondance about once a week.
dju

Took some new pics. Not sure these are much better, but might be best I can do with my camera. I understand why some opinions are that the gun may have been buffed/re-blued by the appearance of some areas of the gun, but other areas look just as sharp as when original to me. Is it possible holster wear?

I am planning to replace front sight as soon as I can get one.

I have actually looked at 2 "1936" Krieghoffs on the Simpson LTD. site that are listed for $7995 and $13,995. I realize that my knowledge of Lugers isn't comparable to many of the members here, but IMO my Krieghoff looks to be very similar in condition as the one listed for $7995. It has many of the same wear markings that Simpson describes as "holster wear in the expected areas" right down to the almost identical scratch over the last 2 digits of the serial# on the side of the chamber. Also the wear on the frame just under the proofs on the right side of the pistol. The date stamp and the H&K logo on the toggle, I would say are almost identical to mine. The Simpson pistol also only has 1 magazine that does not match. I have 2 none matching mags to offer with my Luger. IMO,if the Simpson Luger is worth $7995, then mine should be very close to that price. This is link to the Krieghoff on Simpson LTD: http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...b66c9da62b79fe

I think the difference is yours has been at least been cold blue touched up and if its not a commercial model buffed and polished. Being reblued alone cuts collector value immensely. I feel your pain.

Unfortunately, William, to experienced eyes your pistol immediately stands out as a reblue.

The fact that it was done long ago and has started to wear does not change that. It is not just the lack of sharpness in the markings. The entire pistol shows a lack of sharpness in the edges, contours, etc.

If this were a custom carry pistol, the sales brochure would say that it has "carry contours". A melding and deburring of all edges to avoid snags on drawing.

Hi William..!

If you watch this slideshow of another HK - you'll see the differences immediately of the edges/bluing/buffing areas that we are seeing...

Hope this helps!

Original finish on a Krieg....

My Best Always,

John

I have checked out that comparison and I see the differences in the edges/bluing/buffing between those Lugers. My point was that in direct comparison to the 1936 Krieghoff that Simpson has listed for almost $8000. I just do not see those obvious differences.

Not saying that my Krieghoff is worth $8000, but maybe Simpson has the bar set a little high for that particular Luger.

I took a close up of the front site of my 1937 Krieghoff. Eric~~~~

Eric, not sure what those pics are for, but thanks. If it is for comparison to mine I am aware that my Luger is missing the front sight. That has been discussed in detail earlier in the thread. I am working to fix that as we speak.

Tks I wanted to post what I thought was your missing sight. Both ours I'm sure are the same. Your luger is a beauty and I meant nothing in disrespect!

None taken, sorry if it came off that way.

Are you offering to sell me your sight??? :D

I can try some old sources! I'll send you a IM if I'm lucky!!!

I'm sorry but I think that's correct.

Anyone care to offer an opinion on what the pistol may be worth? I have a figure in mind, but curious to see what you think. Thanks

I was able to secure a front sight for the Krieghoff. Wasn't easy or cheap. I have only been able to locate 3 on the web and finally got the 1 that I found on E-Bay for $50. Lot of $$$ for a little piece of metal, but worth it considering what it is for. IMO

Great, I asked 'Check Point Charlie' but no luck!

WCW,

You might be able to get maybe $1500 for this Luger as a shooter, because it has definitely been heavily buffed and refinished. You would have to find someone who really wants a Krieghoff and can't afford a proper one.

If I were you I would sell the holster and extra nickel mag separately from the gun - you'll easily get $300-400 for them (and they add nothing to the value of the gun).

- Geo

I have had varying opinions on the condition of the Luger. Some from pictures and a few from some that have held it in their hands. I respectfully disagree with you on the $1500 value because I have been offered more for it at a show just a few weeks ago. I am in no hurry to sell so I would rather it just stay in my safe than to take that little for it. I would also not classify it as a shooter, as I believe and have been told that it is rare and still has some collector value.

As far as finding someone that really wants a Krieghoff, but can't afford a proper one....that is exactly what I am looking for. Seems the proper one's are fetching about $8000+. I would take half that for the entire rig.

Although an original nice HK could reach $8k or higher, that's not an easy sell either. Takes time to find a buyer, even for an excellent gun, because the value. It will be hard to sell this one at $4k. Not really a "cannot afford" issue -- buyers willing to pay $4k on a pistol probably can pay another $4k, but usually those people are very picky on condition. And, there are buyers who are not sensitive on condition, but unfortunately, they are very sensitive on price. But I agree, it's not a good time to sell C&R, waiting longer is a good choice.

WCW
Yes Krieghoff's are rather scarce. However yours having been buffed and reblued has lost considerable value. How much I would not say. What you need to remember is the people answering your request are firearm/luger experts. John D ,who owns this site, is considered one of the leading Krieghoff experts in the country. They are trying to help you. There goal is not to run down your luger but to give you honest expert opinions. They need to be taken as that. I agree with you put it away for a later time. Welcome. Bill

William, Some good advice here. Many new members come to one of the Forums I participate in and even though they know next to nothing, want information, when they get it..it's not what they want to hear. Reminds me of an old song..you hear what you want to hear, you see what you want to see..Not blaming you for wanting what you want but it is the way it is.
That being said..maybe your best bet IS to walk around a gun show and find a buyer willing to give you close to what you want before he takes it outside in the sunlight. I've seen stranger sales at gunshows. At any rate..Good luck. Get the most you can. You only have the one!

Great advice from two of the finest...You couldn't pay for any finer! ~~Eric