1917 Luger Info please
 

Ok, I have a new one for you. Tell me what you think, or what you know. This gun is in great shape, all numbers matching except for the magazine. The pictures should say it all.

What can you tell me of this gun/value.

I'll post a total of 4 pics.

Thanks

Sergeant 215

Here's pic #2

Picture #3

THe gun is obviously from 1917. Serial number is #690. I have a magazine for it, however the end is wooden and I can't make out the serial number on it. It may be 690, however cannot say for sure.

What do you think about this gun. Where was it made/used and how much do you think it's worth.

Thanks in advance.

Barry

Not a bad artillery!

A couple of things that are not quite right; the side plate and take down lever should be serial numbered in the military style, they appear to be done with the commercial method. Because of this I would guess that the gun was imported after WW1.

Artillery's have been bringing some good $$$$ lately; there are several examples currently on the Simpson LTD web site, this is mostly high retail but shows you what you might get for your gun in the right market.

Vern

The safety itself is also unnumbered.
A view of the front of the frame (frame serial #) would help, as well as a detailed view of the proof marks on the receiver. The two proofs in the middle should show halos and little blue within the markings themselves.

The sideplate shows signs of work. It's not as sharp edged as it should be.

It was made by DWM (Deutsche Waffen- und Munitiosfabriken A.G.) in the factory at Berlin-Borsigwalde in 1917 for the German Military. At that point in time the side plate, takedown lever and safety would have been marked with the last 2 digits of the gun serial number in the military manner (plain view).

The frame is marked "GERMANY" on the left rail so it was commercially imported into the US after WWI. At that point the side plate and takedown may have been replaced at the facytory or you may have a mismatched gun. How is the front of the frame numbered? Are there numbers on the bottum of side plate and take-down?

Without seeing the serial on the front of frame, I would bet that the lower half is a 20 commerical to which someone has added the 1917 LPO8 top, so probably a mismatched LPO8 shooter. Even with the pitting, these are selling in the $1000+ range today. TH

Thank you very much guys. I just love hearing about the history of these guns, where they were possibly made, what part of the service they were in, etc.

I'm also curious on how much people think the gun would be worth, not to sell it, but usually the price tells me how rare the gun is.

There are numbers matching on this gun also on the barrel which you can bearly see in the two pictures. I just put the gun in storage and wont be able to get it out for a bit to reinspect or take more pictures of it for a little bit.

I appreciate all your responses.