Luger straight from the attic
 

Hi everybody -- I posted on gunboards and one of the guys suggested I ask my question here.

Basically, a coworker's relative has discovered their uncle's old Luger in the attic. The family's collectively remembered story is that he brought it back from WWII. The holster is present, but the stitching is giving out and/or has rotted in places. No capture papers have been found.

Photos are here:
http://web.mac.com/dugaru/iWeb/Site%...er%20Pics.html

The relative wants to know a rough value for this pistol. The coworker came to me because he thinks of me as a gun guy. Actually I don't know ANYTHING about Luger history or values -- I mostly specialize in really cheap milsurp rifles :) -- but I have of course told the relative not to mess with it, not to let anyone steal it, and not to sell it to a gun shop or pawn broker!

It looks really nice to me. The gunboard consensus is that it is a pre-war Mauser and that the value might run $1,500 to $2,000, depending. Someone there also pointed out that the holster needs urgent attention!

Thanks in advance for an info.

Doug, welcome to the forum. Please post pictures directly here. At work, I and many others simply can not access picture hosting facilities.

That said; depends on who told you the $1500-$2000, many members there are knowledgeable. However, lugers are specilized, almost each part was numbered and one mismatch can bring the value down, a major part to just above a shotoer status.

Further a DWM from WW1 that went into police service goes for less than a WW1 that is untouched, while a 1937 Mauser is worth say $1300 and a 1937 Krieghoff is worth $8000...

In addition, many folks at gun shows are still trying to sell lugers for $1500-$2000 and they aren't selling. buyers who are buying are looking for specific items.

How about some basic info if you can't post pictures here?

i.e date stamped? caliber? Maker? condition? All matching? Matchign magazine(s)?


Ed

Ah, very sorry about the lack of photos. I'll learn eventually I hope :). Here they are.

Don't know about matching numbers other than what is visible here. On advice from tac on gunboards, I've advised the owner not to try removing anything, as I am told the grips in particular are easily broken by well-meaning non-experts.

holster is an easy fix by a leatherman (Lugerholster repair here on the forum, NOT a shoe repair). HOWEVER, it appears the holster was CUT-down by a GI, that brings the value to around $100 or so....

The 1937 S/42 is desirable, but not rare. It is the strawed version, worth more, however, yours has freckeling on the finish, brings the value way down.

See picture, is this blueing loss, rust or a camera play?


Maybe $1100-$1300 for the rig, unless the magazine matches, and/or there is a tool in the pouch or a 2nd mag? And not to sound negative, but prices have been hard to get; looking at it in real life would help, but I'd offer around $650-$800 at a gun show and feel that I could get around a $900-$1,000 for it, maybe $100 to $150 for the holster, IF repaired...



Ed

Many thanks for the info -- very interesting indeed. And good questions, I'll see what I can find out.

Additional info from the owner: the apparent bluing loss is reported to be just a shadow. The pistol has a matching magazine, and also has a second magazine with a serial number about 300 higher. No tool present.

Apparently it was liberated from a captured German officer. Or possibly traded for. The GI is reported to have been head scrounger for a colonel, and not a front-line combat guy.

It is difficult to give a value from pictures. A lot depends on the numbers inside matching. It appears that the gun was stored in the holster, hence the freckle rust. My estimate would be $1200. The holster looks in good condition. It needs lugerholsterrepair to work his magic. When fixed the holster is fairly valuable ($200+). The spare mag if correct ($175). A hands on inspection could raise or lower these estimates. It is sort of like buying a car from a picture. Bill

That's a great looking rig. It looks like it does indeed have some blue wear/light pitting at the muzzle in addition to some light freckling. Just keeps the "been there" look. Wonderful worksmanship evident on this handsome P08.

I would concur with Bill and put the value of the pistol at approximately $1,200. Despite the freckling, the pistol appears to be in good shape. That's a great find and if the family wants to sell it, you should consider making them an offer.

Thanks again to everyone for the info. You made me sound very smart when I talked to the owner. And making me sound smart is no small job. :)