my first luger(s) -- how did i do? and a dilemma!
 

Hi There!

Just spent the last few days reading through all of the posts on this forum. To say there is a wealth of information here would be an understatement! I really enjoy the fellowship displayed on this board -- bravo!

Anyways, the luger bug recently bit me. I've been collecting war rifles for the past couple of years, and finally decided to branch into the pistols of the major powers. With that I started looking for a nice wartime luger specimen and ran across a forsale ad posted in a local forum.

We met up so that I could examine the luger. I have to admit that I really don't know much about lugers, just what I was able to absorb from reading this forum. All I really knew was to look for matching #s on the marked parts. Well, I ended up agreeing to a deal. Without further ado, here are the pics. Your opinions would be most welcome.

This was advertised as a "complete rig", which included the gun, two mags, holster, tool, and one box of ww2 era ammo.
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger1.jpg

all of the exterior parts are numbers matching (I haven't stripped it to review the interior parts, but the seller represented it as all matching).
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger4.jpg
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger5.jpg
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger7.jpg

Bore looks a little frosty, if I was brave I think shooting it a little might clean it up. I'll probably leave it as it though.
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger8.jpg

Close up of the proof marks
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger9.jpg

The included accessories
1) Two FXO marked magazines and the loading(?) tool
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger10.jpg

2) Holster marked "DLU 1942"
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger3.jpg
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger2.jpg

I like to shoot my guns, so on my rifle collection I've been getting two of each -- one to shoot, one to collect. So I was thinking about doing something similar with the luger. Well the seller must have read my mind, because he brought along two lugers. I was thinking "great", since the byf42 was a complete, matching, set that would be my collector. This other one I can use as a shooter.

So I made him an offer on both, and he accepted. This is the second one I ended up with.

A "G" Date
You can see probably the main drawback on this luger, looks like some minor rust/pitting was removed with steel wool near the toggle bolt (a little area of worn bluing)
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger15.jpg

http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger14.jpg

Matching Mag:
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger13.jpg

Matching parts:
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger11.jpg

Proof marks:
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger12.jpg

Bore pic:
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger16.jpg

Well, there you have it. I ended up with two lugers in one shot
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/luger17.jpg

Ok here's the dilemma -- my plan was to save the black widow as a collector, and perhaps use G date as a shooter. But in talking to the FFL who did my PPT (who is very familiar with lugers), his advice is that they are both collectors, especially since G dates are a little more rare.

Does this mean now I have to go buy another one to use as a shooter? :evilgrin:

Anyways, just wanted to introduce myself to this great board, share my new toys, and ask for your opinions for these two guns. To be honest, I really don't care too much about the value as I plan to keep these a long long time, making any price i pay today somewhat irrelevent. Still, if you have an opinon on the value, it would be fun/interesting to hear. What do you think of their condition? Do you think that one spot on the G date will signficantly detract from it's value/collectability?

Anyways, any and all comments welcome! Thanks!

Yes it does! :) You did the "terrible misstake" of buying two great collectable Lugers, wich is the best way to get the diagnosis Lugeritis..
Welcome to the world of Luger collecting!

Both lugers you presented looks all good to me, can't see anything wrong with them (except not beeing in my safe :p )

Welcome to the forum beetledude, and congrats on the new toys!

Overall condition does affect value and I'm sure those more knowledgable than I can give you some estimates.

While the serial number of the G Date mag is the same as the gun, it is for an earlier "a" suffix gun... it looks your gun is a later "d" suffix (see frame front at trigger guard). If the mag had a "d" suffix with a droop wing eagle (DE63) stamp then it would be a true matching mag and would increase the gun's value. Nevertheless, hang on to it because it's unlikely you'll find the matching "d" suffix mag and the DE154 mags are less common and pricey.

Welcome to the forum also. I think you got 2 very nice collector pistols. IMHO you should spend a bit more and buy either a mismatched Luger or a VOPO or Russian rework for a shooter and save the two nice ones for collector pieces. Congrats!

Charlie

Both are collectors. G is a little less in shape, but it's rarer than byf. So both better stay in safe. If you have two totally identical gun (except s/n, not G vs byf kind of difference), then you can pick up one for shooting, IMO.

thank you for the info gentlemen! ugh, I really want to shoot at least one of them (never shot a luger before). better go find a shooter quickly or else I'll give in to temptation! :-)

Looks like you did good!!! I especially like the sharp crisp edges on the black gripped P08 sideplate. IIRC, several members here praise the white-box Winchester 9mm that Wal-Mart sells for reliability, and not being too hot. I would buy a box of those and split it between the two - 25 rds through each should tell you quite a bit about how they shoot.

Now, that holster...It is very nice looking...Not worn at all, for a WW II holster...Although I've never seen one with those big "P08" markings on it...It's an awfully new looking holster... ;)

Postino:
Here's a photo of my holster. It doesn't look nearly as good as the one in this thread, but it does have pretty large P.08 markings.

Neil

You did exceptionally well for the first time outta the starting gate!!!

I wouldn't be afraid to shoot either one, after a thorough cleaning and inspection. I shoot all of mine at least once. It does clean up the bore. Do it as you would when breaking in new rifle barrel. Shoot, swab, shoot swab. Then after 7-8 rds, the brush. But yes, you need to find a mismatched Mauser type for extended shooting.

Welcome to the addic.... er... collectors forum.

FN

FN

Those are two very nice pieces. You did well.

I am not a collector - I shoot my firearms, so if it were me.......


However, if I had to choose, I'd be more likely to 'collect' the wood-gripped model and shoot the black gripped model. Just because the wood is a more traditional thing. This is based solely on looks and not value.

My only luger is long gone, so I am new to Lugers, too. Still looking for mine.......

Hi Postino.

thanks for the advice! I think you are correct, in comparing my holster to others (on this board, and elsewhere), it does seem to be in too good of a condition. Even if it is a repro, I'm not much concerned as the gun seems to be a fine example.

Does anyone have advice on what to look for in regards to determining the authenticity of the holster?

thanks!

Great find on the 2 guns. Holster 100% REPO

You must immediately go out and buy another Luger.

BTW: Don't store the gun in the holster. When left in close proximity in cozy dark places, leather and steel are likely to engage in an illicit affair. And the redheaded offspring usually goes by the name "Rusty".

You purchased two fine examples of the P08. Both are collector pieces. The byf "Black Widow" is a favorite of mine.

The holster is a current reproduction, but as you said, the pistols are what matters in this deal. The two FXO plastic bottom mags are kind of hard to locate. Especially when you need one.

Thanks for sharing two very nice pieces, Bruce

Bailey, I would not be too quick to condem the DLU holster. It is in exceptional shape but it has all the correct charecteristics of an original holster. IF this turns out to be a repro..which at this point I doubt..The repro makers have gone way over the top and are approaching an original.
Can you Email me the photo's you have of it and perhaps a few more showing the inside? I would like to see a good closeup of the buckle too.

If I can get a little better look I can tell you for sure. I have blown up the photo's and looked this over very closely. Untill further notice I think you have a close to mint original.
Thanks and welcome to the Forum, ya done good.

Jerry Burney

It looks O.K. to me too. I think it's an "Extra Virgin"! Regards, Norm

Very nice buy. That's how I got started. I was looking to buy my first Luger and the seller had two for sale, so I bought both. The most important thing, is that you are happy with them, and that's all that really counts. BTW, welcome to the forum.

Newluger

The holster looks okay to me, as well....It just seems heavily polished...:)

Hello Gentlemen.

thanks for the updated information on my two lugers. as a quick update I took the byf42 out for a quick shoot (replaced the original firing pin with a replica first though). It shot wonderfully. I put about 20 rounds thorugh it with no issues. What a joy to shoot! In my opinion the only aspect of the luger that has not aged well is the sight. That tiny little notch is hard to see!

After shooting it, I promptly decided that I would like to shoot lugers more regularly. Just yesterday I picked up a re-blued, "force matched" shooter (with good bore) for $518. It's nothing special, but at least I won't feel guilty shooting it!

Hmm, really exciting to hear that the holster my indeed be authentic. I will take some detailed pictures of the holster and post them shortly.

Thanks again for the great info!

Per Jerry's post I just sent him detailed pictures of the holster, but thought I would post them here as well in case anyone is interested in following along.

Overall I'm already thrilled at the opportunity to acquire these lugers. The holster (if authentic) is just icing on the cake.

Regardless, here are some close up pics of the holster. This time in full resolution (big pics!)

http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/IMG_4114.JPG
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/IMG_4124.JPG
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/IMG_4125.JPG
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/IMG_4126.JPG
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/IMG_4128.JPG
http://www.employees.org/~beetle/lugers/IMG_4129.JPG

thanks again everyone!