1917 Info
 

Hey all, Love the site! First time poster. I found the site while searching for some info on my Luger.
I inherited this Luger from my grandpa when he passed away a few years ago. The story is that he brought it back from Germany at the end of WWII when he came home. Ended up in a box in the closet ever since. Pretty certain it's all original and never had any work done to it just due to how I acquired it. All the numbers match even on the clip. There is also a broken clip in the holster that has different numbers. Anything you guys can tell me about it would be great, maybe even an idea of what it's worth?

One last pic.
Thanks!

Welcome to the forum! A really nice WW1 Luger in way above average condition! Nice holster, (it would be nice to see photos of the markings on the back of the holster).
Is there a tool in the little pouch under the holster flap? If so, is it marked?
Your broken magazine bottom can be expertly replaced by our own GT, (Gerald Tomek) here on the site.
I'm no more than an RKI on WW1 guns, but resident experts will give you an idea of what the entire rig is worth.

Thanks for the info! Really would love to hear the stories this gun could tell....but then again, probably mostly closet or sock drawer stories...:roflmao: The history end of things I think are very cool, almost pains me to keep it closed up.

Attached are a few more pics. I don't see any markings on the back of the holster. I do see a mark on the inside of the holster flap but it's worn from rubbing on the gun so I can't make it out... No tool, and honestly don't ever remember there being one when grandpa used to break the gun out to show me when I was a little tot.

Nice gun! I am certainly no expert, but parts of it look refinished to me.

Balder

Interesting! I know absolutely nothing about guns at all. Only know about this one from what I was told and what I remember growing up.
What do you see that makes it look like parts were refinished?
Thanks!

Hi Drew, I actually have to disagree with fellow forum member Balder, the finish looks original to me. The barrel serial number shows halos and the small vertical pin in the left rear toggle is "in the white", both signs of an un-refinished gun. The only part that looks a little off is the trigger plate, but this is not uncommon. It's thought that the heat treatment this part receives somehow affects it's ability to retain finish.
The holster looks very nice indeed, and has construction features that identify it as Imperial. I think that the marking under the lid might be a partly legible 1916. Regards, Norm

In my opinion the finish is 100% original.

Thanks guys! Any rough idea about what this setup would go for? Not sure if I'm keeping or selling, but just curious.

I'd ball-park it at $2k. Maybe $2200, but in today's economy it is tough to get top dollar. It is certainly better than your average bear, and a wonderful inheritance piece to be treasured. And remember, that once it's gone, there is no getting it back.
Definitely NOT a shooter.
dju

Drew,

Nice pistol - and welcome to the forum!

When David says "Definitely NOT a shooter" what he means is that your pistol is collectable, and in a very excellent original condition.

Should you fire it, there is a real possibility that an original numbered part could be broken. That will reduce the historic and financial value of your pistol quite a bit.

If you're looking for an insurance value, look at some of the retail dealer websites for what it would cost to replace. Simpson Ltd, Checkpoint Charlies, FGS Firearms should all list similar pistols.

Marc

Also interesting is the pigskin construction of the tool pouch flap versus the cowhide balance of the holster.

Not pigskin but rather pebble grain calf.

Thanks again guys! I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm not really a gun guy but like I said, I love the history!

If I may suggest, set a date out 6 months or better and don't do anything until that date. I hope that you will realize that this is irreplacable, although I do understand that this stuff does not turn everyone's crank.
dju

Drew
I don't know how old you are but I will share that I let one of my grandfathers guns go when I was very young and I deeply regret it 35 years later. I also feel the pistol looks correct and it and the matching mag alone less the holster and broken mag should fetch 2k. Good luck with your decision. c