1942 Luger Re-Blued
 

I have always wanted to collect Lugers. My collection boasts a whopping 2 lugers. I have a 1908 that I've been told is a commercial (but it has military markings on the right hand side of the receiver) and a 1942 (42 stamped over the chamber). Unfortunately, as much reading as I've done, I'm finding that I'm not very good at this yet.

My father has been actively involved in trading guns for decades. I leaned on his "expertise" when I bought the 1908 and spent $900. At a show about a year ago, I picked up the 1942 Luger (no military markings except for an eagle over the left side serial number). I thought it was a steal at $900.

My wife got a little nervous about the "investment" and convinced me to take the guns to a show to have them appraised for insurance purposes. I was stunned to find out that, even though the 1908 has about 80% of the blue left, it was only appraised at $600. The 1942 was even worse. Someone had re-blued it at some point and I was told that it's only worth $400. It was a very "professional" job (in the words of the appraiser). It was meant to deceive. A couple of people offered me more for the pistol because (apparently) they didn't realize that it had been re-blued. The appraiser in both cases was someone who deals almost exclusively with German antique firearms in our area.

I still love the Lugers, but the nagging doubt that I've gotten taken twice in less than 3 years is really getting to me. There's a huge part of me that wants to dump these two and get what I can out of them and start over. Is this common to have these problems when you're first getting started?

So far, the only thing that I think I've done right is I picked up a 1942 holster (marked 1942 P.08 on the back) for $15 at a garage sale. I was offered $40 for it because it has the original take down tool still in it.

Sean, welcome to the forum!

Don't listen to most of the "gun appraisers" at gunshows. Their job is to buy low and sell a bit higher. Also, to most gun show guys, they see a "luger". They either guess high as hell, or they come up with a low amount. there are hundreds of variations, and a 1908 could be a "normal" army model (called a 1908 by the german army) or a 1908 commerical, worth much more.

It is very hard to find a luger for less than $600 in todays market. If yours is actualy a 1908, it is worth much more than $600. But, just a run of the mill 80% 1916 DWM is worth $700-$800...

Pictures and full description (do one at a time, each in its own thread).

Your holster must be all screwed up, cut down and mutilated? As the tool itself is worth at LEAST $40, the holster (unless a repro) is worth $100-$250 by itself.

Lugers are VERY tricky, they were made over a 60 year period and many have been mucked with.

Ed

Sean, welcome!....I did not see where you are located, but try and attend larger gun shows where perhaps we will hold a LF dinner, hook up with a few members who will share some time and expertise with you....it would be WELL worth you time, and books..books...books...buy and read 'em....hope this helps...also there are some real nice deals posted here, some real trust worthy dealers/collectors

Hi Sean,

What state are you in? We have members all over the country.

Identifing and appraising a Luger accurately, usually can't be done by a general gun appraiser. And if a Luger is "expertly" refinished. Most people couldn't tell. It takes a very well trained and experienced eye to do so.

If the "appraiser is also a dealer, I wouldn't take their word for for it.
They will often "low-ball" it hoping that you will get discouraged and sell it to them at their appraisal price.

Try to at least post some clear photos before going off the deep end.


Ron

LugerLearner, I would suggest the same as the other guys, post pictures and more details.

Often, dealers will want to look at a firearm that a guy is carrying around the gunshow and make a lowball offer to them. I find these dealers to be insulting, but I do realize they are out to make a living too.

If you look at the online auctions, you will rarely see a Luger sell for under $400 to $600. The worst looking mismatched shooters sell in that range, but not nicer matching Lugers.

Where are these LF dinners posted/organized?

There's a show in Chantilly soon. Would there be a LF dinner there?

Under gunshows section and sometimes under the members only section, folks get together adhoc, the SOS show and the Reno show usually has about 5-10 folks who show up...

Ed

Both Lugers have all matching serial numbers (except for the clips). I am certain that one is a 1942 and 90% certain that the other one is a 1908. I don't know what the stampings are, but I've just purchased a book of Luger marks that should help. Thanks for the lift. I do have a bunch of Luger books (Jan C. Still, Ian Hogg, etc) but none of them prepared me for the reaction I got when I went to the show. Obviously, I need to put a LOT more time into my reading and learning before I buy another one.

I would love to put pictures up, but I'm technologically handicapped. I still shoot pictures with a manual focus Nikon FM2. No scanner, no understanding of how anyone puts pictures up, and not sure I have the capacity to learn anymore. I can get around on a computer, but that's about it. My 12 year old daughter is the one who found the website. You really don't want to know what she thinks about my 6 year old computer. I'm sure I'm going to have to get her a computer of her own this year. :(

I have GOT to find a price guide so I can try to figure out whether to sell these and start over or keep them. Any suggestions?

Why start over? You paid, at the most a bit too much, and more than Likely you paid a good price.

Tell us about the 1908, here is a tutorial question and answer I ask new guys;

Ed