Help needed with Luger
 

Could I get some help with a luger please, I'm trying to find a little info on one I just got, trying to find some age,value and if it's ok to shot or not, I had no idea there was more than one type of pistol. I can try to post a picture if I'm able, if not I can send all you want thru email, thanks. Mike http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid17282358

http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid17282358

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum. You have what is called a 1920 Alphabet commercial. Made circa 1923 for export sales. It is the most common variation. Is it a .30 Luger (7.65mm Parabellum) or 9mm caliber? The average value on one in that condition , which seems to be pretty nice, is around $800 - $1000.

It should be safe to shoot. If it's a .30 cal. the ammo tends to be somewhat expensive.

Ron

Thanks for the quick reply Ron, I picked up some 9mm ammo last night but the cartridge would not slip in all the way so I guess it's the 30 Lurger, I'll head into town later and try to find a box of ammo in the 30 cal. One other thing I forgot to menton is the bottom of the clip is made of wood, is this normal? Mike

Mike,

Yes, the correct mag has an un-numbered wood bottom.

Happy to help...

Ron

Thanks for your time and knowledge Ron ! Mike

Hi Mike C,
From one Mike C. too another.
A (GERMANY) stamped wood bottom would also be correct.
Mike C.

Thanks again for the help and correction, one more question, I have a holster that was my uncles and was wondering if it would be correct for the pistol, there are no marks on it that I can see. As far as pricey ammo, I called a shop yesterday and was told the ammo was $37 a box, I need to calll back and see how many shells are in a box. Mike
http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid17282515

If you aren't really sure of the caliber, you might want to have it checked by a competent gun smith. Your holster looks like one for a P38, but doesn't have a lot of collector value as it is. The luger "top" that is there, is a bit rough...


Ed

Mike,

30. Luger ammo is expensive but not usually THAT expensive. You might try some online sources such as Able Ammo, Outdoor Superstore, Gamaliel, etc. - do a Google search. The last time I bought a batch I think it was about $17. for 50 rounds of Fiocchi, plus shipping. I buy in fairly large quantities to save on shipping. KFS

And avoid 7.62 x 25 mm "Tokarev" cartridges whatever you do. These are common and sometimes very inexpensive, and they will fit in you pistol as they are dimensionally essentially identical to 7.62mm Luger/Mauser. BUT they are a submachinegun gun load, too "hot" for your pistol. Some pistols, like the Tokarev and CZ-52, are designed to take these cartridges, but don't use them in your Luger (or Mauser).

H

Thanks for the info guy's, I guess I better take it into a shop. Just how many calibers was made for these gun's? i'm not up on the Lugers and thoght they were all 9mm but now it looks like they are 9mm, 7.65mm and 7.62, is there any others? Thanks again for the great help. Mike

Luger and Tokarev Round
 

Dear TAC:

...although the Tokarev round WILL fit. It will also probably blow the hell out of your Luger after a few rounds.

tac [/B][/QUOTE]

The Tokarev round is very dimensionally similar to the 7.63 Mauser round used in the C-96. It is also almost identical to the original round used in DWM's C93, the parent pistol to the Luger design.

I've tried it and the Tokarev round won't chamber in a 7.65 Parabellum Pistol, nor will it fit in the magazine of a Parabellum.

Sieger

Thanks again for the advice, i'm going to a gun smith this weekend and make sure. I don't want to screw up the gun or the appendage that is holding it. Mike

Some things can be made to fit with sufficient application of BFFI (pronounced "biffy" and politely translated as brute force and flipping ignorance...an old Army term). No doubt many of us have experienced bffi at the hands of auto and appliance repairmen, and I have seen more than one "gunsmith" example. By way of illustration here is a lesson in bffi gas tank repair:
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/bubba.jpg