New member needing help
 

I need help identifying what I believe is a 1939 / 42 Luger. I am new to the group and to Lugers so I only know what I have been able to determine from the group posting. I recieved it in an inheritance from my late brother. All numbers match as well as clip. No holster, no know military history. I am interested in condition and value. Thanks, Mark

Welcome and nice Luger.
They are all interesting and yours is no exception. The collecters here will discount/dismiss it as probably refinished and re-gripped.
What we will need to see is more pictures without all the glare. Also photo the magazine # closely, as there is matched and there is really matched.
If my wild assumptions are correct based on those photos I'd give it a ballpark value of $700. It is one you can shoot and enjoy.
dju

Hi Mark, Welcome to the forum. It's hard to tell from your photos, but this gun looks to me like it has been refinished, and the grips are replacements. If so, David's valuation is right on. Regards, Norm

Welcome to the Lugerforum.

I concur that this nice looking Luger has been nicely refinished. The finish is too nice for the military Luger that it is... the grips are modern Swiss replacements, and very serviceable for shooting. Enjoy this gun as a remembrance of your brother... and do enjoy shooting it. The value is approximately what has been quoted to you... About $700 in today's market. Because it has been refinished, it has little collector value.

I noticed Luger buyers are very cautious. People new to Luger know to come and ask opinion first. Nothing is played at emotion. That's very smart. :thumbup:

I would say that figure is being generous. But that would be the valuation of a collector...

I have only owned 5 Lugers; two I bought in the '80's, and only paid ~$350 for...neither had been refinished...

About 2 years ago, I bought a commercial in pretty much the same condition that yours is in; refinished, with new replacement grips. IIRC, I paid ~$850, being completely unfamiliar with prices or collector values. I used prevailing "sold" prices from GunBroker.com as my guide. In fact, I bid on at least a dozen before 'winning' my refinished commercial.

Were you to sell yours, on an online auction like GB, I would not be surprised if it went for a similar price of $800+...because it would only be newcomers to the Luger mystique bidding on it, attracted (as I was) by a nice looking finish & grips, and not knowing that those actually detracted from its value.

One of those paradoxes, where it is actually worth more to someone who has no idea what it is than to a knowledgeable collector. :D

Postie, you ignored one fact. There are a bunch of collectors only collect refurbished guns. If it's not refurbished, it's not in their consideration. Surprised? Well, try this: list a refurbished gun as is, focusing on "job well done", "tight action", "shoots well" etc, asking a few hundred, finally it will go. Many people's principle line (or expense cap) was 3-digit. This is not life essential item, if you can sell it at $700, don't sell at $350. Earn that money.

All local shops that I visited carry a bunch of CAI scraps. Why? That's profitable. Market is big. Selling low, but the cost is also low, lower.

...More like "astounded"... :eek:

I have one, but only because it was/is pretty to look at...I would never consider collecting them...

Thanks for your responses. Given that mine is more of a shooters quality, what method of sell would you most recommend, a local shop/dealer or online like this forum. Any percautions or things to take into consideration? Although I would love to keep this item, the proceeds will help support my brother's widow.

I would post it here in the Traders or for sale section and give us all a crack at it. Lots of persons of varyng levels of interest watch that area. And it is free. For information on how to sell, maybe read up over on GunBroker.com as they have sub-sections that clearly explain the rules. Main rule is to ship to only a holder of a Federal Firearms License or a Curios and Relics license holder. Probably best to use UPS 2nd Day Air, give the buyer a 3 day inspection, avoid PayPal, demand cashier's check and let the bank clear it before shipping, etc.
Good luck with the sale. And for God's sake, make sure it is not loaded when it is shipped.
dju

I would put it on Gunbroker.com, as that has a much wider readerbase than this forum. And it's an auction, not a fixed price site. Demand will establish its worth. You can post a minimum of (for instance) the $700 mentioned by Ed, and if it doesn't sell, then list it here, or on Still's Forum, on on ARFCOM, etc. Don't be disappointed if it doesn't sell immediately, and don't let it go for a song. It'll find an owner at your price eventually. It's nice looking; some n00bie like me will buy it.

It seems to me that people come here after purchase to see what they've bought. :p

If you are in a strict state like New York, be aware that ownership must be established (i.e.; on paper --> state pistol permit or FFL holder) and only FFL to FFL shipping is allowed (NYS that is).

A typical ad could be as following. Focusing on its good aspect. People reading
this ad care words like "all matching", "swastica is still there", "shoots
well", etc. Be generous on those. Starting from $0.01, reserve $750, "Buy
it Now" $850. You have to add a little bit because of commission. People
spending $700 buying a gun won't care extra $20 charge. If he does, he's
not a serious buyer, you wait next bidder.


Title: 9mm Nazi Mauser 1939 Luger Pistol with matching magazine

For sale is a 1939 Nazi era Mauser made 9m/m Luger in excellent 99% condition,
no pits nor rust anywhere on the gun, might be reblued in the past, if
it was, the job was done wonderfully [don't feel bad, it's not original, wonderful
or not is very flexible. No one can argue]. It's all matching including the clip.
All Nazi stamps are clear and sharp. The gun is fully functional, action is tight and
it shoots accurately in range [is this true? better try it]

Shipping to FFL or C&R in 48 States.

====
Keep shipping charge low. Many people focus on shipping charge. Charge $15 or $20.

Alvin

Do you write advertising for used car dealers?:roflmao:

Very nice!

Bob

I usually start on the forums, its free and your audience already likes them.

If the magazine is matching, then I usually figure an extra $100 on a sale for a "shooter".

Nice write up Alvin


Ed

Alvin raises a good point. That Swastika is an asset, sad but true. Regards

My thought is if you put it up as a nice condition refinished WWII era shooter, at 700 dollars, the thing will sell itself. That luger does not need all the hype. John

thanks to all for your insight and advice...!

And good luck to you. Sorry for your loss.
dju

Probably gunbroker.com is better than other sites. Other ad sites (I used GA and AA in the past) have a common problem -- non-pay buyers. People simply could not keep their commitment. Or worse, lying about their wives were mad or their kids were sick or he just lost the job, etc, etc, too many versions. Probably gunbroker.com will be better.