Information & Help 1920
 

Will be attending an estate sale in a couple of weeks and they have listed a 1920 9mm bring back to be sold. I need some information on what markings I should be looking for and a price range of what I can plan on paying. I know to check all #'s and condition but am lost on markings. Thank you for any help as I look forward being a new Luger owner. Pic is from sale add.

Re: information & Help
 

I found a better pic that might be easier to detect make...

First of all, the gun is missing its side plate. Find another with correct number might be difficult.
Besides that, looks like a police gun as it has the sear and magazine safety.
Can't add much more with these pictures...

Douglas.

Maybe the sideplate was removed to show the mag safety??? At least part of that is still in place...

There appears to be a letter or proof on the side of the barrel...can't quite make it out...looks like a W in my paint program...Odd place for a proof, I think...

Not a 'collectible' without a matching sideplate; if no sideplate, definitely a $500 - $600 shooter [with a sideplate]...I have no idea of the holster value...

Tom Heller or GT may have sideplates...but it may require hand fitting to function correctly...

Pic of toggle will show mfg'er...

If it has no sideplate, my ignorant uneducated uninformed opinion is to let someone else inherit the headaches and cost of completing it...

Sorry I dont have any other pics to share. This is all they have posted. I am going to search for the side plate the day of the auction. I was just trying to get an idea of what it would be worth as there shouldnt be many bidders. This is a very small town, so I figure maybe 2 or 3 bidding.

People always get caught up in an auction...Others may think $200 or $300 for it is a steal, and bid it up a bit...Now, if it was me, and I thought I could sell it off as parts (and the holster too), even without the sideplate I might go $600 for it...

But that kind of thinking can lead to a lengthy wait to recoup your investment...

If you don't mind a bit of fussing with it, and decide to keep it, it could be an enjoyable fun buy... :p

It's definitely a police Luger and police holster. If they have matching unit markings on the front grip strap of the gun and the right rear of the holster and if the side plate still exists, it could be a very desirable rig worth maybe $1200 -$1500.

Not sure whether the "1920" in the description refers to a property stamp on the chamber, a date on the chamber or someone's notion of the era of the gun.

Bottom line, we just can't tell.

The 1920 is what is listed in the add of the estate sale. Not sure where that date comes from though.

Sale update: The side plate had been found and was matching. All exterior #'s matched including 1 mag. Had 1920 double stamped on top. Holster was dated 1934. Blueing looked to be 90 or pretty close with a little holster wear. Also had tool inside holster in a pouch. It had several marked below the trigger on front side of the grips that had been X'd out? Ended up selling for $1825

Did you purchase it?

no, had a budget of $1500

I think it has been explained here that that was done by the new unit (or armorer) when the pistol was transferred...or arsenal reworked...

Was it bought by someone who seemed aware of its value???

I would think so, he was a gun dealer.

One of the 2 or 3 from the small town? Or a 'ringer' from outside???

Pretty sure he was from outside. Was the only thing he bought all day.