How Much Does Unit Marking Increase The Value~
 

I have 3 1913 units, two marked and one unmarked~ Does it make a difference in price? Are DWM and Erfurt the same value? TKS

As always, depends on the seller and the buyer. Unit marked guns are interesting, but not required.

Do you have photos of the markings, Eric?

-Brandon

Agree with Gunbugs above. I am not a unit marked collector. If they are there fine and if not fine also. I would not pay more for unit marks. I am sure others would. I am glad we don't all like the same things. Bill

Same , but I buy only lugers WWI with unit marking !

I would be willing to pay a bit more for a unit-marked gun, especially if it is a rarer or unusual unit mark.. Unit markings can help determine where the Luger has been and what it has witnessed. I feel they add character to the piece and help tell it's story. -Jason

Years ago collectors turned their noses up at unit marked Lugers as having been defaced or somehow tainted. It time that attitude has largely changed as unit marks provide clues as to the pistol's history for those who are interested in such things.

Comments before mine indicate that some collectors have interest in unit marks while others are ambivalent and yet others prefer not having them. Personally I like unit marks and would pay a little more if it's something I want. But, as always, the overriding consideration is still condition.

Depending on the mark, I can overlook condition somewhat. This is from a collector of them, so.....
John

I agree with all of the above.

I collect Police guns so I will pay more for marked firearms. This is particularly true for scarce unit markings. For instance, I bought a Police carbine from Gunbroker that no one else bid on because it had "Justizverwaltung" property markings. Research showed it was one of only 80 of these carbines made for a small Prison Police unit. That is scarcity and worth more IMHO.

Value all depends upon what you collect.

I have an artillery both gun and board marked 169th Baden`

History and pictures of the 169th Baden~http://www.pals.org.uk/ir169_e1.htm

Research of the meaning of the unit markings is what really makes them more valuable. I would pay more for fully researched markings like these for the 169th Baden.

According to Jeff Knoll, 'The Imperial German Regimental Marking, page 60~DWM Lange 1917 s/n 6586a, Regimental Infantrie-Regiment 169.R.8.9. Infantry. Here is unit history for http://www.pals.org.uk/ir169_e1.htm

i view them as a luger birth certificate~Its a wealth of its'luger history!

In the early 60s when my interest as a youngster turned to lugers, there were literally piles of them at shows. All varieties.
The "real" collectors, turned up their noses at unit marks, '41 BYFs, and the chrome or otherwise modified examples.
The seeds of stuffiness planted in many Luger enthusiasts took bloom early on.
It was fun to sort through those piles.