Value Question
 

I'm considering purchasing a near mint/98% 1916 DWM with mismatched period magazine, mint bore/bolt face, possibly unfired. It's been a while since I looked at Luger prices, and wanted to get feedback on the asking price.

Is $1600 about right for this piece?

jetteraf -

The members of the Forum would be in a better position to help you if you were able to post some pictures.

If the finish is in the range of 98% and if it truly appears to be "possibly unfired" I would be very cautious since it has probably been reblued. And if it has been reblued, this greatly reduces the value.

You mentioned the mismatched period magazine, so are you assuming the rest of it is all matching or have you been able to determine that yet?

The possible issue of having been reblued, and/or the matching numbers will have a big impact on what it is worth.

Without more information and especially pictures, I doubt that anyone is going to tell you it is worth the asking price.

If you have trouble posting pictures, I'm sure someone will help you.

Hope this information is helpful.

Mauser720 - Ron

Pictures will be helpful. But there is a trap -- if you see it in a store, how would you take the pictures, it's not yours yet; if you paid for it, is it a little bit late to ask opinions..... so 3-5 days inspection period is not optional.

I bought a Japanese Type 94 rig a while back, it's a good deal. Inspired by that, I acquired another Type 14 rig, unfortunately, the decision was made too quick if I looked back -- it's a disaster. Fortunately, I returned it successfully, but drove 260 miles in one day (two trips). This thing has no fixed rule and is always case by case.

Hi Ron,
It's a forum member that is selling it, although at another site. He stated that all the numbers match, and the visible ones do. I asked about the re-blue, and he says it is the original finish- I think the crisp stamps in the pictures an the slight browning of the backstrap support that. However, having you guys take a look is never a bad idea. Here are the pics I have:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2465/...3b80788e_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3521/...29032fb8_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/...a7948035_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/...37889350_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/...f7485945_o.jpg

Have pictures on barrel halo, witness mark, toggle top, front and back of the receiver "ears" (w/o light reflection)?

Here's a better picture of the back; I'll ask the seller for the others.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/...67f2d48f_o.jpg

That's the largest letter suffix I think I have seen

Here are some more pictures. It looks good to me. So, is $1600 out of line? I'm not really up on current Luger values.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/...e9d5f9ee_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/...25cf935b_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/...ef58101d_o.jpg

sounds a bit high with MM mag, and Luger prices are suffering along with the rest of the nation.....

From the photos it looks like a good gun. Given that all the numbers do match, the price is on the high end right now but it would be tough to upgrade anywhere near that price. If it doesn't cut into the grocery money, I'd say go for it (again, if all the numbers do match. The magazine isn't that big of a deal in my opinion). As always, a three-day inspection no questions asked return policy should be part of the deal. Having the gun in hand is the final test.

Ron,
what do you make of this mark is it an RC stamp or a pit that has been re-blued ? my thought was a re-blue, but you have far more years in luger school than I

I am comfortable with that frame dot. But I am not very comfortable with "76" on the grip panel. Any thought?