42 BYF Price?
 

I found a BYF with 42 markings. The serial is 971 with 71 markings in most places. There is a 68 or 89 in one spot and the safety lever doesn't have a serial number. On the right side it has an eagle with the circle (swatizka?) then next to it 2 other eagles with 135 under them. It is a Mauser. Sorry I don't have pictures, but from that information, how much would you think it is worth? I haven't seen it in person yet, but may go tomorrow. The price is 589 down from 889. In one spot, it had 98 crossed off, then 71 under it.

Thanks,
Rob

Rob -

I am a relatively new member of this forum, and I am not an "expert" as are many of the other members. So please take that into consideration when I respond to your post.

First, this Luger does not have matching numbers. The parts which do have two numbers on them, should all be "71" which is the last two digits of the serial number "971." In the case where the "98" is crossed off, and "71" stamped under it, this means the numbers were "forced" (probably at an arsenal) to match. Either way, the lack of matching numbers on the pistol does lower the value. Is the low serial number "971" a factor which might increase the value? I don't know. Let someone else comment on that.

Second, how much of the original finish is still on the pistol? Does it still have its original finish? If it has been refinished (meaning re-blued) this detracts from the value. Get your nose down close to the metal, and smell it. Does it have that smell which is so typical of a do-it-yourself cold blue? If this gun has a beautiful all over blue, and mismatched numbers, this is also a "red flag". Refinishing or "touch up" cold bluing detracts from the value.

Third, check out the bore. Is it badly pitted. Frosted? Is it clean? Are the lands and grooves sharp? Since it already has mismatched numbers, it probably has been around a while. And you should not expect a perfect bore. But it is better to have one that is still in good usable condition, unless you never plan to shoot it. Make sure it's empty, and operate the toggle. Does it stay back when the magazine is empty? Operate the safety. Does it work? etc., etc.

Based on the limited information you have provided, and in my humble opinion, it probably is worth $589.00. But I'm such a "tight wad" that I'd offer $575.00.

See what some of the "experts" on this forum think though.

GO CORNHUSKERS!

Mauser720 - Ron

I've been looking for a BYF shooter for a while. Tell me where it is and I'll buy it. Then, based on what I paid, you'd know how much it's worth! Seriously though, that sounds like a good deal.

Rob, With the crossed out number and matching numbered added, sounds like a DDR rework. These have usually been dip blued and sometimes new barrels added with a Crown/N proofing. I was selling these reworks 10 years ago in the $500 range, when they were still being imported. TH

So it sounds like this could be a good price at 589. This will show my newbieness, but what does DDR stand for? I am looking for a good shooter that is somewhat collectible. This may be it. I'll look at it tonight, possibly get it. I'll post pictures if I buy it.

Tac,
Lest we greybeards forget, the era of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin wall is fast fading into dim history. Terms like VOPO and DDR have little or no meaning in the present day media blitz on the Middle East and the insanity with which we are confronted. The inclusion of your "smiley face" emoticon is quite apropos to the "living on Mars" quip. With respect to the march of history and the treatment of events by politicians and the media, we might as well be living on Mars. I am sure we can overlook the occasional comment by a newbie that reflects the trend of our educational system and political commentary to ignore history.
Ron

I did pretty good at history and would have known East Germany, but the DDR and VOPO I have never heard of until now, or I forgot. I just figured that I overlooked or haven't done enough research to find out what DDR or VOPO meant, but will keep up the research.

The luger was gone before I got to the store. It went for the 589. I will try to have better luck at a military memorabilia show this weekend and possibly another gun show.

Thanks,
Rob

Hey Tac.. that dot of your's looks a lot like a map of DDR in 1:1000000000 ;)
Btw. Before May 1939, DDR it the are would go under SBZ 'Sowjetische Besatzungszone'

Just about every map of Germany made between 1961 and 1989 would have 'DDR' marked on it, letters would be big, but probably not visible all the way from Mars.
There are tons of acronyms out there.. can make any man's head dizzy sometimes. It's only silly not to ask what they all mean, some are more important than others ..most however is plain BS.

Good luck finding a Luger Rob, it's always a good idea to not to jump on the first deal anyway ..and welcome to the forum!

tac..then I'll bet you also can identify all sorts of russian military equipment from dusty old slides? Will not push you into revealing anything confidensal about the work.. But would be interesting to hear more about BRIXMIS if possible.
1939.. During the war;) I ment 49, end of May I think.

All the best