inherited pistol. Need help.......
 

Recently inherited this pistol from my grandfathers estate. I/we (the living relatives) have no history on the piece. In fact, nobody even knew he owned it. We're theorizing it was one of his brothers, as two of them served in WWII. Would appreciate any and all help in dating and placing an approx. value to it.

If further info/pics are needed, please ask. However, talk to me like I'm a third grader. I can barely spell "German Handgun", let alone speak intelligently on them.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Regards,
Jules

Not sure how to get more than one pic in the posting. Here are links to more pictures. Sorry for the inconvenience.

http://members.aol.com/jules62966/gun2.jpg
http://members.aol.com/jules62966/gun3.jpg
http://members.aol.com/jules62966/gun4.jpg
http://members.aol.com/jules62966/gun5.jpg
http://members.aol.com/jules62966/gun6.jpg
http://members.aol.com/jules62966/gun7.jpg
http://members.aol.com/jules62966/gun8.jpg
http://members.aol.com/jules62966/gun9.jpg

Hi Jules,

You have a byf Mauser made Luger. What is the date on the chamber, 41 or 42? Your first photo didn't come through.

It has passed through England at some point in it's life. It is British proofed as per British law. Crown over BNP (Birmingham Nitro Proof). The grips and magazine are not original to the luger.

The after market magazine and non original grips will effect the collector value substantially, as will the British proofs.

Ron

Ron,
first photo fixed.
Where exactly do I look for the 41/42? Will that be the date? Either 1941 or 1942?
As I stated, I know nothing about these guns, but if the grips have been replaced, it must of been a long time ago, as they show considerable wear.
Thanks,
Jules

Jules,

There should be a date stamped directly on top of the chamber (where the barrel connects to the receiver). The number 41(1941) or 42(1942) should be very obvious.

True, the grips look old but are not correct. Are they some type of synthetic material or wood?

Ron, Unless I'm looking at the wrong area, I don't see a 41/2.
If I had to guess, the grips are wood that have possibly been painted black.....?

Your byf did not leave Waffenfabrik Mauser or the battlefield like that I'm afraid.

The serial on the frame, does not look stamped to me. Also the digits itself does not look right.. I'm guessing the serial on what looks to be a commercial upper is right, then the frame was force matched and a toggle with the right # was found. This must have been done prior to the UK import.. It deserves some better grips, can be a nice shooter.

Jules,

I'm afraid that Steinar is correct. You have a Luger put together from parts.

Welcome to the Lugerforum.

The area above the chamber has been ground down during refinishing and the manufacture date has been eliminated.

Sorry that there is no collector value because of these modifications... but it is still a nice Luger shooter and worth between $500-$750 depending on who is buying...

Thanks all, for taking the time to help a newbie. Truth be told, it doesn't hurt my feelings that it lacks collector value. I've grown somewhat attached to it, and the fact that it's value isn't too great, will allow me to keep it, verses selling and chopping up the proceeds to satisfy the other grandchildren.

Allow me to show my naivety by asking what this statement means?

"........it just could be worth ten years grey hotel time."

Regards,
Jules

Curious too..... 10 years in jail?

live pistols (after a certain date, 100 years old I think) are not allowed except under RARE cicumstances.


10 years jail time if caught with a non deactivated gun...

Guess I'll leave my new toy at home next time I travel to the island..... :-)

No avatar is dull, smoking baby is anti-social, heraldic coat looks weird, .... how about this one? I like this one. An early automatic weapon:

Tibet... not anymore.... Boston area.

It's not easy to accumulate guns in Massachusetts. State law requires "gun permit", so it's a privilege, not a right. There is a list of "good" handguns that people can buy, absolutely boring types, .... I had enough of that. So, I applied a C&R license, and found I love those old ones (not all of them though, only a few types in this order: Brooms, Lugers, and Brownings) more. Those are the ones that I saw in the movies when I was a kid!

He's correct about the strict MA gun laws. I had a Class A (Carry License) when I was there a lot. But they do jerk you around a bit. Whereabout in MA?

Dok