1st Luger - Newbie
 

What a great place this is for finding out info on these Lugers. I had most of my questions answered by exploring this forum. I tried to upload the pics of my Luger but was told the file was too large and not being very computer literate I don't know how to downsize them. Anyhow, about the Luger I just purchased. It came out of an estate auction a few months ago of a WW2 Vet, a German Vet. named Gerhardt Diehl. Pistol appears to have never been apart since being built. It is a 1938 S/42 and it is in super condition with what only looks like holster wear on the finish. If anyone would like me to email pics to them for a better evaluation I will gladly do so. The only numbers that don't match the pistol are the magazines which I have since found is quite normal. The bore is pristine and I don't think this pistol was fired very much. Would anyone want to give an estimate on value? I can tell you that I paid $2000 for it and I'm hoping that it is worth a little more that or at least what I paid for it. I will answer any questions you may have because I'm sure I missed something in my description. Thanks for any input on this Luger. Josey

Josey, welcome to the forum. I think (provided it is all matching) that you paid going rate (for just a pistol). Did it come with a holster and how many magazines?

email pictures to weimar_lugers@comcast.net and I'll post them here.


Ed

Ed,
There was a holster for it at the auction, however I did not get it. Pistol did have 2 magazines with it. I sent an email to you.

Josey

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/luger_s42_002.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/luger_s42_009.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/luger_s42_010.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/luger_s42_013.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/luger_s42_016.jpg

Joseph,
If it's possible, track down that holster. There both worth a lot more together as a rig, assuming they were brought back together and is the correct holster for the gun. Anything that documents Gerhardt Diehl brought it back, like bring back papers, that may have come with the rig also adds quite a bit of value to it.
Very nice Luger. Most are not in that good a condition.
Mike C.

Nice lookin' Luger! Great condition, very nice. I wouldn't sweat about paying $2000 for it, think of the sentimental value of knowing this was directly from the german vet himself.

There was nothing to document that Gerhardt brought his pistol back. Only his son word at the auction. There was a photo of him in uniform wearing the pistol, but that really proves nothing either. I am going to try and get a holster for this pistol. I have noticed in searching for a 1938 dated holster that they come in black or brown. Is one color more correct for the military than the other? I also noticed that they are quite pricey for nice examples.

Thanks for all the input.
Josey

either color, that said, black is usually what an army holster was colored

Joseph,
So many facts are lost with time. Even though the photo doesn't prove anything, I think it would be very nice to keep at least a copy with the Luger.
Maybe get the son to add a short note with it. This is to preserve a little history, not to add value.
Mike C.