Luger Model Year and Value?
 

I was wanting to know if anyone can help me identify the Model Year and Value of my Luger. This is my first time on this site I was referred by someone off of The High Road Forum Site. The pictures are not the best and I will see if I can properly attach them. Thanks!

welcome to the forum; once you are actually approved, you will be able to see the rest of the sight.

I can see no pictures made it through. Even if we see photos, please give us the information to help you.

Toggle has what on it?

Serial number is what and does it have a suffix letter?

Proofs on the left or right and what are they?

Is there a date on the top?

Ed

Thanks Ed! The Serial # is 3795 it has Gesichert on the safety pad. It has a squiggly design for lack of better words on the slide top and has a wood base on the clip. On the barrel it has a crown looking type stamp above the serial #. On the front of the gun on the frame just under the barrel it has the serial #3795 and Germany stamped under it with another squiggly stamp under it. Let me know if any other markings need to be noted. Thanks! I appreciate any and all help!

more than likely the design on top is DWM. That is not easy to see, but I bet you a lunch that is what it is.

If stamped 'germany" then it was imported in the 1920's or 1930's (most likely).

is it 9mm or 7.65mm?? Drop a pencil down the barrel, if it drops easily, then it is 9mm, if it is kinda close to tight, it is 7.65mm.


Ed

I am told that it is a 7.65mm no darn pencils in the office just mechanical pencils.

:D The "Gesichert" is for the safety as you surmised. 30 luger (7.65mm) was very popular, and now 9mm is. A 30 luger sells for less and is less popular with collectors, but its a luger. ;)


Ed

So what value range would you say it would be in?

even with pictures it can be hard to say; $400 for a nickle plated one (none were from the factory like that) or if in "mint" condition, $1000-$1200??

Pictures are essential, just in "guessing", usually a hands on inspection is really needed to figure it out.

Lots of things come to play, condition, if all matching parts, and again, condition...

Ed

Well the condition is very good! I wish I could post the pics maybe I am not allowed as of yet being a new member? Thanks! I appreciate all the help! I posted some pics up on the High Road, don't know if these will show up or not? One of the pics in here is of a Savage so please disregard it. Thanks again the info has been very helpful!

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.ph...=1#post4001838


I don't think this link will work?

I think Jim was correct and it has been reblued. I would guess being a 30 luger it is worth $400-$600


ed

The link does work. The "squiggly" mark under the serial number on the front of the frame is a letter, it appears to be an "o" and is part of the serial number, i.e. #3795o. You have what is currently called a 1920 "Alphabet" Commercial Luger. It is a nice looking Luger, but it has been reblued.

Yeah, looking at it now it appears to be a "o" so some say $1,100-$1300 and others like $400-$600. How can I be sure of what date and of the value?

because it has been reblued, its value is cut in half and for some lugers it would be cut even more. Rebluing destroys the collectable value.

go to www.gunbroker.com and look up 30 luger DWM luger and see what they have gone for over the last 90 days.

ensure you look at items that have actually sold and are reblued...

Re- Blued?
 

Ed,

Just for info, how did you determine it had been reblued, because the parts that would normally be strawed are blue, or is there something else?
Thanks, barr

Barr,
Yes, the parts that would normally be strawed are blue, but also the edges of the gun, particularly the side plate, are "soft" and do not show the crisp edges of an original finish, yet the blue is uniform and shows no signs of wear.

Thanks to all of you! I appreciate all the help and info!

Don't want to sound dumb here, but where is the "side-bar guide" at? I've looked and maybe just over looked it.

Trying figure out what type of luger we have, I do know it's from 1945 or old as this is when it was aquired by my now dead Grandfather.

Thanks,
Mike

Use this link: http://www.lugerforum.com/ Tech section, History, etc. The FAQ is OLD and not the one I did, it is under New Collectors area...


Look to the left thats the sidebar they are talking about ;) most likely you are using a link someone gave you, but it bypasses some cool stuff

Great thanks Edward!