Help Identifying a Luger
 

below are the pictures. from seeing the DWM, it looks 1908 dwm luger military 9. and the proof mark would identify it as german military receiver proof. see proof marks, number 13 on this site.
I would like to hear from anyone else what they think. i bought this at an estate sale from a deceased collector, who kept his weapons in excellent condition and also was an amateur gunsmith.

You have an early military piece with the collector nomenclature "First Issue", probably made/issued in 1909. It was subsequently modified for police use by adding a sear and magazine safety. The magazine safety has been removed/disabled, as most were.

what else can i look for to see if its a reproduction, or not? thanks for your quick reply.

any estimate of value
 

Ron, thanks for your quick response. I am curious what you thought the value might be. happy new year. Jeff

The comment that Ron has at the bottom is a slight joke and NOT a comment about your gun.

I would need to see full left and full right to give an estimate.

The sideplate being messed up affects the value.

Also, are interior parts numbered with last two of the serial number (an early gun would probably not, but since it has been modified and went into police service, I would bet it has most military/police type markings)


Ed

Hi Jeff, Welcome to the forum. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your gun is made up of the parts from two different guns, at least. The frame is numbered 3685a, but the toggle train comes from a gun whose last two digits were 53. This relegates your gun to shooter status, I'm afraid. Best regards, Norm.

Hi Jeff,

Also, your magazine is not contemporary with the gun. I can't seen enough to be sure what it is.

If it's military proofed with a plastic base, it's from around 1941-1942. If not, it's likely post-war.

Marc

additional pictures
 

Ed, thanks for the reply. attached are the pictures you asked me about. I am still interested in your opinion on the value of this shooter, since I see your point about the numbers from two different guns, likely it was adapted to police use. but I still think it is a better than average shooter. What is the approximate value in your opinion?

I dont need the money but would sell it for a fair price.

Jeff

Value of a shooter is $450-$750

All depends on where you are and who wants it.

At my table I would try and buy it for $450, maybe a bit more and sell it for around $600 or so.

Ed

thanks ed. I paid $500, which I thought at the time was fair as I saw that the barrell number and the frame number did not match but I was hoping that the markings on the frame made it 1908 per the proof data I found on this site. This is a GREAT website, I might add. I havent found another site that did such a fine job of giving detailed information on lugers, with so many knowlegeable moderators. I will probably keep it as a shooter for ****s and giggles, and keep hunting for a collector.
______________________________
“I have only five words for you: From my cold, dead hands.”
Charlton Heston (1923-2008)

marks on clip
 

marc, it is a plastic base and has PO8 stamped on it along with another stamp fxo and another symbol above that. see below.

With the addition of the full view photos of your gun there is further evidence of mis-match. The stock lug on the frame indicates that while the barrel/receiver are of 1908/09 vintage, the frame dates after 1913. But, it is a nice looking gun and should draw admiring glances when you take it to the range...it is a lovely shooter and I think you paid a good price.

Jeff,

The good news is that your magazine is a Haenel Schmeisser (German armament's code "fxo") manufactured magazine from 1941 - 1942. It's got a value of $125 or so, depending on condition. The other symbol is the German weapons inspection office acceptance stamp.

These extruded magazines are the best functioning variation ever manufactured for the Luger.

If you can afford to keep it to shoot with try and do so. Since the toggle train was replaced it might be wise to have a gunsmith look at it to verify that the headspace is correct. Even when you do buy a collectible Luger, you'll probably want one to shoot...


Marc