!917 Artillary Luger Damaged
 

I have a 1917 artillary luger in very good condition. However the stock lug has been ground off. I have the case and the stock.

How much does the ground off stock lug decrease the value of the gun ? Is the gun still collectable ?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Steve

Hi Steve, and welcome to the forum.

Luger collectors value pistols in a state as close as possible to that of their original manufacture. All matching. Original finish. Unmodified.

Removal of the stock lug is a major modification. Even if well done, I believe that it reduces the pistol's status to a "shooter". These have a value essentially 40% to 60% less than a collectable unmodified Luger.

Being in original finish, all matching parts; having the matching stock, holster and matching magazines would improve the rig's value somewhat.

There are many people that would still want a rig like that. They would just be unlikely to pay the same amount they'd give for one that is unmodified.

Marc

Thanks MArc I appreciate your help

Steve,

Welcome tot he Lugerforum!

Although it would not increase your Luger's collector value, it is possible to have the gun "restored" to full functionality as an Artillery Luger by obtaining a Luger frame with a stock Lug from a parts supplier (such as LugerDoc) and having the stock lug portion of the frame transplanted by a qualified master gunsmith...

...OR you could just get a frame with a stock lug and assemble the rest of your Artillery parts on the lug frame for use with the stock when you feel like shooting...

Shooting an Artillery Luger is a real blast... I highly recommend it for those guns in the Shooter and not collectible class like yours...

"...OR you could just get a frame with a stock lug and assemble the rest of your Artillery parts on the lug frame for use with the stock when you feel like shooting..."

It sounds good to me, but maybe not to the ATF. If the frame is the gun, would it still be an artillery and legal with a stock?

yes, the ATF does not look at whether the gun is all matching or not. As long as the overall gun is representative of an Artillery Luger and all of the parts are true to the original pistol, there will be no problem.

Please note that there are several members here who *could* weld a stock lug on your artillery frame. A few could also restore it to new condition; re-blued, removal of pits/rust; restore sharp edges; straw; etc.

It all depends on what you want. If all you want is a shooter, and yours is all matching, it may well be worth more (to you) to sell it as is and purchase what you want, rather than try to make it into what you want (and lose $$$).

Re. the ATF.
Do they consider it ok for me to use my 1917 Artillary with my repo. (made in India) stock.
Someone told me that they would only allow an original stock.

Not true. As long as the stock is an identical representation of a period Artillery stock you will have no problem.