New Luger Owner Questions
 

This past weekend I ended up buying my first luger.
It is a regular P08 1914 Erfurt Police Issue with 1920 stamp on it.
I will post pictures sometime soon.

I was searching the web for some information and I couldn't find answers to the following questions.

1. What is more desirable Police Lugers or army?
2. Does 1920 stamp decrease the value?
3. Luger P08 production numbers by year?
4. I have a chance to pick up another Luger 1939 matching except for the mag and grips are repro. Is it possible to find grips for it? How much do they go for?

Thank you very much,
Steve

Welcome to the forum. They are addicting, you can't have just one.

As to your questions:

Most collectors like the Army issues better, but there are folks who only collect the police. All depends...

The 1920 is actually a post WWI state property stamp. Again, depends on taste.

From reference works, mostly by Jan Still, we have pretty good estimates of the numbers. 1914 Erfurts est production 7,000. So not rare, but let's say uncommon.

Original grips is a difficult question. You want them to match the wear on the piece. There are repros out there, and we have folks here who can do repairs.

FN

Thank you very much.

"... They are addicting, you can't have just one...." That is what I am afraid of :)

Where can I see the production numbers across all years and manufacturers?

The Luger that I got according to the seller who had one more in great condition came from his day who captured them in WW2. One he had to send back in pieces....

I have nothing against the seller and I think he is a very nice guy but how can 1914 with a 1920 stamp be a WW2 bring back?

Thanks again

Welcome to the forum. Imperial-era Lugers were reissued after WWI to various police units and most of them remained in use by the police through WWII. Many of these were picked up by GIs in/after the war and brought back. Perfectly legitimate advertising!

That makes sense.
I went to a local show and just asked a guy in a parking lot if he had German militaria for sale.
He told me he has 3 bring back pistols 2 Lugers and 1 P38 and he might sell one or 2. So I almost forced him to take me to his house LOL

Like Norm said above, you can find the yearly production numbers in Jan Still's reference books. There are several volumes and they will run you about $300 each. However, if you are going to get into collecting Lugers, they are well worth the investment.

Neil

Steve, why do you say it is "Police Issue?" Does it have sear and mag safeties? Is there a police marking on the front grip strap?

I am not sure what sear and mag safeties are at this point but what it has is something like
S.L. Pol 1747 crossed out with Xs and another non crossed out marking below is something like S.P.L

I was thinking that Pol stands for Police. I can't wait to take some pictures so I can find out more about this pistol.

You can search the forum for "sear safety" and "mag safety." I don't have access to my photos explaining them right now. Or...once you post photos of the left side of the gun, it will be evident.

After WWI, your pistol was issued to the Saxon State Security Police (S.L.Pol.1747), Luger inventory # 1747. This was soon reorganzed and the gun was marked to the Saxon Police at Leipzig (S.P.L.).

Thank you very much for the information.
I am going to try to take pictures tonight and post them tomorrow morning.
I will start a new thread.

Steve, I suggest continuing with this thread since it already has information about the gun. By using the Add Reply button, you will have all the facilities for posting photos.

Hi Don,
Sorry I started a new thread last night...

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=26994

History Writ In Steal has now become the Bible in post WW1 police guns. This with Weimer Lugers will provide most info! Simply search 'weimer police luger units' will provide You most everything! Eric

Thank you for suggestion.
I tried to search this forum and the web and I am afraid I am not getting anywhere.

If you have the time can you please post the link.

Maybe you were referring to a book?

Thanks

I'm sorry I never figured it out. Just search 'weimer police luger units' you will come up with a big green page with everything!

Got it :)

http://www.radix.net/~bbrown/police_unit_marks.html

What is interesting is that I can't find a S.P.L mark there