History of a luger
 

It is a military issued, 1940 (the year) 42 (mauser code name) and issued and captured by the us army.


Value is from $700-$1100; depending on if all original; if there are any extra magazines, holster, tool, etc. The magazine in the gun should be a aluminum based mag, not a wood based one.


ed

welcome to the forum!

Nice Luger.

I am watching 6. parts Band of Brothers (Bostogna), it was hard battle against SS and Wehrmacht, and you have one of side arms in that battle. One soldier looking for Luger (like your father?).

Hi Rich,

Any documentation as to when and to whom it was issued has long since been destroyed or lost.

I will up Ed's estimate as to value. I would estimate insurance replacement value at around $1400 to $1600.

Here's a link to one that was recently sold. This dealer's prices are considered to be approx. 25%+ higher than most would sell for. Also the Luger listed is in nearly unissued condition, which boosts the value considerably.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...c6bafbeb985941

If you were to try to sell it out right. I think that $1300 would be a realistic value in today's slow market, but this is just an estimate. It also appears to have some pitting on the barrel which tends to bring the collector value down.

Welcome to the forum.

Ron

Hi Rich, a little more info on your Luger. It was completed about December 1940. :)

A nice heirloom war trophy Luger... I wouldn't blame you for not selling it... It is a piece of history.

It would take a lot of work in research on your part, but you can investigate actual reports on the battle of the bulge and it could be determined with some certainty which German units were fighting in Norville on that date. Then you would at least have some idea which German unit lost that Luger...

I am sure that if any of the battle historians on this website know which German units were present you will get an easy answer here... and save you a lot of work.

Rich, which American unit did your father fight with at that time. My father was in the 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division and also fought in that area around the same time.

Wow
 

Where do I start? You gentlemen are quick to help, how refreshing. Ed Tinker you are correct the magazine is not correct, I knew that from the serial # but it does look nice with this luger. Thanks Ed. Croluger my father would never say how he acquired it; quite frankly he never wanted to talk about those days at all. Thanks Croluger. Ron Smith, I'm not surprised all documentation is destroyed but I had to ask. The link you sent me to the other 1940 "42" is definitely a sweet luger. My father said that his buddies and himself shoot off all the rounds then he cleaned it put it in its holster and that’s where it’s been till today. I plan on shooting it for the first time in 64 years this Saturday. Thanks Ron. Frank I don't know how you new it was made in December but I don't doubt you for a second, Thanks Frank. John Sabato I will do a little research on who was in that area. Unfortunately I don't know the exact area I only know near the town of Noville, ( East, West, North, South ) ? My father was assigned to the 567 AAA (AW) Battalion. I know they pulled off their assignment and joined up with General Patton to stop the offensive of the German Army. My father passed away a couple of years ago so I will not be able to learn any more about it. Thanks Ron and again THANK YOU ALL. Rich

magazine
 

The magazine with this gun ( which is incorrect ) has a walnut grip with the # 4396 is there any way with this number to tell what luger it came from?

If the wood base has only the serial number and no other markings, it is in all probablity from a WWI DWM military.

old
 

thanks ron I thing WWI it looks very old, not a repo.

It is quite common for Lugers to have mismatched mags, that is why those with matching mags in similar condition are valued considerable higher.

Nice family heirloom, with a direct connection with your father's military service. I would never sell it.

Joe

third generation
 

Hi Rich,

For those of us that like the details and because there is little or no data from the Mauser Factory (they were destroyed) we had to improvise.

If you collect enough data from your friends, gun shows and books, you then know the approximate beginning and ending serial numbers. From these serial numbers, one can estimate the number of Lugers produced for a given year and also any sub-variation. Then I assume a uniform production schedule and determine the month the pistol was produced.

Lots of work to accumulate the data, but worthwhile.

:thumbup:

Frank, it's amazing how much you know about these Mausers!