My Dad's WWII Luger...
 

My father was a fighter pilot during the second world war, he flew P-38s against the Japanese in the Pacific Theater. After the war he was stationed in Turkey and flew frequently to Germany. The story he told me was that this gun was acquired from another American service man who found himself in sudden need of quick cash. I now find myself in need of money and am considering selling it it. Can anyone provide a rough yet somewhat accurate estimate as to this guns value? If I need to provide additional images or information please let me know what you need and I'll make every effort to provide it. Thanks in advance for your help. e
P.S., All the attached images were taken outside at high noon in bright sunlight so as much detail as possible might be available.

One other thing I'd like to mention re: my dad's gun. When I was small my dad and I would periodically take all his guns to my Granddad's place and shoot them. It was an all day affair cause he had quite a few guns. After shooting all day Saturday we'd spend all day Sunday cleaning everything. My father was meticulous with the care of his firearms. Several times during the cleaning phase of our shooting weekends while the Luger was disassembled he made it a point to show me that all the numbers on it matched. He was very proud of this gun and tried to impress upon me that when it eventually passed on to me I should be very careful to not alter it in any way. I've had the gun for almost 9 years now and am quite frankly afraid to touch it for fear of somehow doing it damge. I guarantee anyone reading this post that my father never had this gun re-blued or "worked on" by anyone ever. It is exactly as it was when he aqcuired in Germany in 1946 or '47

Luger
 

P.M. Sent

Here are images of the holster and magazines. One mag is very obviously not even of the same time period and the other looks to be of the same period but features numbers that do not appear anywhere on the gun itself. Not a match right? I should also mention that the small pocket inside the holster is empty. I assume that contained some kind of adjustment or disassembly tool; is that correct?

In the second photo from the top, the right side of the barrel, there is an eagle(?) proof on the barrel, what does this mark mean? I have one on my barrel as well, and have not found one in the info section here. (But then, my wife notes I can't find the peanut butter jar when I am holding it, so...)
PAtrick

It is an early Nazi era firing proof.

Thank you George, that's very helpful. Like to offer a suggeston as to my gun's worth? Does the fact that I have no matching magazines impact my guns worth significantly?

Enoch, a mismatched mag does not so much detract from the gun as an ORIGINAL matched mag adds to it. Many, many matched mags I see with Lugers are actually forced-match or just plain counterfiets. I do not like to offer advice on the internet as to value because there are just too many variables. It all depends on condition, model, place and time. Lastly a hands on examination is most helpful.

Generally speaking a Nazi Luger in this day has a much wider market than does an Imperial or Weimar gun, especially among younger buyers. War time Nazis (1939-1942) bring more than the S/42's. There are, of course, exceptions to this as there are to all generalizations.

How's that for an answer that doesn't answer anything? Sort'a like our new president.

Enoch,
Enjoy the ride, as these specialists will take you through the joy of owning a Luger. Maybe you can sell something else, like the dog or lawnmower?
Piet

I've gotten quite a few PMs from people asking what I want for my Luger. Please bear in mind that I joined this forum and started this thread because I didn't (and still don't) know what it's worth. I need to feel comfortable in my knowledge as to its potential value before I'll even consider putting a price on it. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I'm only considering selling it. It's true that I'm not a firearms enthusiast as my dad was so I feel somewhat guilty keeping this when there are others better equipped to appreciate and care for it; the other side of that coin though is 1. I'm not desperate for money (I could use some right now but I'm not desperate) 2. The gun is likely to appreciate in value as time goes on (right?). 3. My dad loved this gun and for that reason it's going to be very difficult to part with.

I'd really appreciate it if an expert who has no interest in purchasing the gun would give me a ballpark range as to a fair value and, more importantly, please tell me a little about this guns history. What does 1937 S/42 mean? Is 1937 its date of manufacture? What do those stamps on the body and barrel reveal? George Anderson was kind enough to identify the barrel stamp as "an early Nazi era firing proof." What do the others tell me? I'd really appreciate any historic information that anyone may be willing to share. Should I provide more pictures? No problem just let me know what pictures are needed. I'm very grateful for any and all efforts at assistance.

Enoch, I sent you a private message.

A nazi era luger like this can go for $900 or $1500. So somewhere in between; normally you'd have gotten more responses, but since you commented you wanted to sell, I feel that folks are reluctant to give you a price, because they are afriad to say a price too high.

If I had this on my table at a gun show, I would have it for sale, and then depend on how quick I was trying to sell it.

Gun and holster $1500 (slower sale); $1300 for a much quicker sale. You can go to places like Simpson, LTD and see what a comparable gun is going for. Be aware, do you want a quick sale or the best price?

The Weimar or WW1 era (nickle mag) I would sell for around $100 by itself.

ALL of this depends on if the luger is completly matching, to include hold open, firing pin, etc


Ed

I had the same sentiment about a 16ga Ithaca Mod 37 pump my dad gave me for my 16th birthday...When I went overseas in '70, I loaned it to my best friend to use while I was gone...It was stolen... :( He bought me a brand new one when I finally got home, but it wasn't the same...I sold that one to another friend when I quit hunting...

Now I have another Ithaca Mod 37 in 12ga, made the same year I was born [1949], but again...it's not the same...Now, whenever I see a 16ga Mod 37 at a gun show, I check it out...I'd gladly pay the going rate to have my dad's gift back again... :crying:

... ;) ...

Don't sell it. There are better ways to come up with cash. Sell the dog, sell the girlfriend...
Once it's gone, it will NEVER come back. Would your Dad approve of your selling it for whatever reason you need the quick cash? Do you have any children that might one day think it's pretty cool? This is a family heirloom from a time in history that now belongs to the ages. They aren't making any more of these.
If you're determined to sell, put it on Gunbroker with a $1500 reserve. It probably won't fetch much more than that, but these days, it's robbery to give one up for less, unless it has mismatched parts, or serious blemishes, rust, pitting, etc.
Again, I don't think you should sell it. Ten years from now, you may be flush with money, and you may actually go out and buy another Luger...but you'll pay much more, and get less, and it won't be "Dad's".

I totally agree with Zamo. Keep the luger! I'm sure it had great meaning to your father,honor this by keeping it. Bill.

I too would keep the Luger- I am in the process of buying a luger from Ralph Shattuck to replace the one that my father brought home from the war. It was stolen in the 70's and since his death two years ago, I have been trying to pull things together that belonged to him and the one missing piece is that pistol...I know that the one I'm buying is not the original one, but it will be a reminder of him nontheless- if you can, hold onto it- you'll regret letting it go, I promise you...

I always understand folks telling others they will "regret" selling their dads or gradnfathers gun. I kinda think its unfair; as the pistol, may or may not have any significance to the person; or they aren't a gun guy. In other words, if everyone kept their dads gun, we wouldn't have as many in our collections as we do ;)


What I mean is, to me my grandfathers Win 95, 30-06 is very valauble to me, but to someone else, the pocketwatch, the quilt his grandmother made, etc is more important to them....

ed

Enoch:

Don't sell your Dad's personal pistol, as you will regret it later.

Sieger