Help me decide if this luger is a deal!
 

Hello,

I am new to the forum, and new to Lugers.

I have always loved the Luger pistols, and am very interested in adding one to my military firearm collection.

The local gun shop here has several Lugers, both WW2 and Imperial. I have always liked a particular Imperial Luger. Here is what I know about it:

It is a double date stamp (1918 and 1920) Erfurt. Has 4" barrel, 9mm and is supposedly all matching except the mag.
The front grip strap has original military regiment markings that were "X" stamped out, and it was restamped with police department markings.

I really like the fact that the pistol has the double date stamps, and also the regiment markings, although they have been stamped out they are still legible.

I have also read that Erfurts have many proof marks and unique stampings, which this one did seem to have.
They are asking $850 for this pistol. Does that seem like a fair price? I would say it is about 85-90% on blueing, and strawing is good too.

The main reason I want to make sure it sounds like a decent price is that this likely be the only luger in my collection, because I cant afford large purchases like this often, and I like to have several different firearms in my collection, rather than concentrating on one type.


Thanks for reading my long post, I hope everyone has a great new year,

CHRISTIAN

Christian.....you do not show where you are located, perhaps you are right next door to a LF member who would be glad to go to the gun shop with you and help you buy your first Luger, I to also like the double dates and the police markings, and without seeing the gun, the price sounds about right, perhaps there is even some room to barter.....best of luck and welcome here.

Thankyou for the quick reply,

I am located in Alameda, California (San Francisco Bay Area)

I do understand that it is difficult to judge a pistol without being able to see it.

I have also read that I should ask the shop owner to disassemble the gun so I can verify some of the "hidden" parts are in fact matching!

If anyone else has something to say about this Luger please post!

good night all,

CHRISTIAN

All it takes is that one little part to not match and you have for the most part a shooter luger vs. one with collectors value.

I would ask the gun shop owner to take it apart and make sure he is selling what he says he is. I live in Canada, so prices here are generally a lot cheaper. But down in the states I would say $850 is not a bad deal, but that statement is not easy to make without seeing the gun or what prices are like in California. If it is all matching and the gun has a decent finish % I would say that deal is really not that bad.

And it is your first Luger, say you do over pay $100 is it really that bad if you like it? Until you own a Luger it is hard to understand everything about them, reading can only take you so far. I say if you got the money and the luger looks okay take it! And then learn from it and be ready for your next purchase.

Christian,

I agree with Howard and Rylan that it is probably a good deal.

I am writing a book about German police markings and would be very interested in knowing the serial number of this pistol, both grip strap markings and whether or not the pistol has or had sear or mag safeties.

update!

Well, I went to the store yesterday, but unfortunately the owner was out, and since the Luger I wanted wasnt priced with a tag they couldnt sell it to me...

I will go back next week when the owner returns and start the paperwork on it! I will try and get some pictures so I can come back here with further information!

Thanks again for helping me out everyone!

CHRISTIAN

Christian:
I live in Oakland, accross the estuary from Alameda. I am not a Luger expert - I'm also just learning. I am not interested in your double date. I would, however like to know where the "local gun shop" is located. Most that i know have gone out of business.
thanks
David

Christian, I have a long time luger customer, who is retired in Alameda. If you wish to call me @ 636-447-3006, I'll be happy to put you in contact with him. TH