VoPo or Russian Capture? What is this thing worth?
 

I bought this 1917 DWM a couple months ago on a whim. My first Luger. I was told it was a DDR VoPo rebuild. The entire gun was "force-matched" and reblued. The entire bolt/toggle assembly appears to be taken from a single gun as the serial #60 has been struck out on all those parts and replaced with one matching the frame. The bore is absolutely mint, though I believe it was rebarreled at arsenal. The upper right "flat" on the receiver has an electro pencil "X". There are no nazi markings, but the imperial army markings are all intact on the upper unit right side. So is this a VoPo, or a Russian capture weapon? What is it worth? I paid $750, mainly for its value as a shooter with a new barrel and in tight mechanical condition. Pitting is minimal. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Thanks.

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/66/dscn1046ym3.th.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/5371/dscn1051xo2.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2457/dscn1054zv0.jpg

hello eddie, here is the obvious things, started as a 1917 (year) DWM (made by them), I think it is a Vopo as the russian usually have a darker finish, but many times it is hard to tell.


I think you piad towards the high end for a Vopo, but not incredible ($600-$700 for a shooter). No matter what if you like it, that is the important thing.


PS: It is best if you upload photos directly onto the forum, ;) then the photos stay with the thread.

Ed

I have one with that X penciled on it to and have wondered why that was done.

Hi,

No official documentation on the 'X' yet, but most likely the 'X' was applied to captured/seized/turned in weapons in order to identify them as such (and as Russian property).

Many guns were overhauled in the early 1950's and received new (crown/N proofed) barrels in the process.

I think it is easy to come to a conclusion that any VOPO Luger would have been Russian Capture first... After all, the East German DDR was a Soviet backed and supplied regime post war, and the East German Army and Police certainly didn't retain their own weapons after they were overrun by the Russians... I believe the overhaul of captured weapons was Russian controlled and then once inspected and function tested they were issued to the subordinate DDR forces for use. So in answer to the first question asked... both Russian, and VOPO... IMHO.

My understanding is that the X represents the Crossed Rifles acceptance/ property mark found on original Russian contract Lugers. This one has the VOPO "Target" logo grips and as John said, is probably a Russian capture reissued to East Germany.

Ron

The VoPo Lugers are quite variable. I have a Mauser that is all matched and looks as if it were in near perfect condition before the VoPo refinish job. The bureaucratic mind at work, refinish it whether it needs it or not.

I don't care if its a shooter, it looks great with that Russian Matte finish.
I agree you paid about 100 bucks too much, but I am sure that 10 yrs from now a nice shooter like yours wuill go for over 1 grand.
Just my opinion....Bob

By ironcross4148's argument, you didn't pay too much, you just paid it too soon.

I can accept that I paid $100 too much. I bought it locally from the original owner FTF. No tax, no transfer fee, no gas.

Going by Bob's thoughts,

I have a couple in the safe that I bought about 50 years too early!

Jim

Eddie, Most rebarrelled, dipped & force matched were redone by the DDR. The typical Russian captured lugers will still have the original barrel and finish. TH

With the price of good shooters going higher every day. I think you didn't do that badly. You only bought a few months too soon.