Help with identifying a luger.
 

This was my father in-laws and he left it with my wife and I. The story we heard is that his father found it on a soldier in WWI. Not sure if it's the actual story but that's the one we've been told.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
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Welcome to the forum. Whats the serial number?


Its a commericial version of a luger, but looks like it has a weimar (possibly) unit marking?

The holster is from 1941, so it couldn''t have come home in WW1 ;)


Ed

Nice looking gun! Just shooting from the hip here, but my first impression is that is is a railroad security weapon out of Magdeberg.

Ron is correct, Reichsbahn Direktorat Magdeberg weapon #87. The Railway Security Police were formed just after WWI.

It is a commercial Luger, probably produced in the 20s. The holster is dated 1941, so it was possibly captured during WWII, it didn't exist during WWI.

Thanks for the replies, I actually meant to add another "I" after the WW as the dates clearly don't match but it was pretty late when I posted. It's been just sitting in a closet for a while and to my knowledge hasn't been shot in quite some time. I have a few hand guns but we certainly aren't collectors. Any idea on value?


Serial number if I am correct is 7709, it's on the barrel and just above the trigger guard. There is also a lower case cursive "n" on both and a upper case "N" with what looks like a crown above it. The upper case N is on the barrel and in the second picture I posted.

On the holster is a faint stamp of what looks like a bird with wings out to the side sitting on top of a picture of the earth maybe? The combination of letters and number underneith of it are W can't make out the second one then A413.

Thanks in advance!

Is it a 9MM or 7.65MM (Will a number 2 pencil fit in the barrel)?

It's what is known as an Alphabet Commercial produced in the early to mid 20s for commercial sale, but procured by the Railroad Police. These RBD marked pistols aren't real common, but do pop up from time to time. The last one I saw had a matching marked holster and sold for around $1800.

The market is dragging due to the economy. I would put an "insurance replacement" value with the holster, at around $2000. Actual sale value would be lower. The holster alone would be worth $250+, if it didn't have the holes in the lid. As is, around $125.

The holster has a "Waffenamt"(inspector's acceptance mark) WaA413 and was made in 1941.

The holes in the lid apparently once carried decorative pins, most likely Nazi and placed there by the GI who liberated the pistol

Thanks again! It's 9mm.

This has been very cool learning about this weapon. Nice to be able to find this much information from a few pictures.

It's odd that it is 9mm. Other Lugers from this Direktion are .30 cal.

You are correct it is .30 cal. My mistake.

I don't see a stock lug. 1908 commercial?

Time for new glasses Aaron, as even my tired eyes can see the stock lug. Haven't seen you in a few months, when are you coming through Phoenix again??
Lyn

JArmour, thanks for clearing up the caliber issue. It was bugging me!

Lyn, thanks for reminding me of my advancing age. I am almost as old as Orv Reichert and am gaining on him rapidly. May be at the September Crossroads show in Phoenix, but will definitely be at the December SAR show. Look forward to seeing you.

Aaron

No problem! I was on vacation and just got back last night.

So my wife and I have decided to sell the Luger. Being that it was handed down from her grandfather to her father and now her, how would we go about this?

I'm pretty sure UPS ships handguns next day air and I know it has to be sent to someone with an FFL. I just don't want to do anything wrong and end up in legal troubles.

Thanks again!

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