Newbie - need help with this Luger
 

Hi All:
Just became new owner of what I believe is a Commercial Alphabet Luger.

It was passed down from my great grandfather who served in WWI and WWII.

Lots of stories with the pistol...but now I'm starting to doubt them...espcially the "he got if off a dead German officer"...story.

Since this is commercial..does that mean it was probably NOT used in either war?

Here are the pics. I guess I don't have an original wood-end magazine...but all the SN's that I see do match.

Advice,suggestions, value estimate would be greatly apreciated!

Doug

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...c67cef2c42.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...52FC064868.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...52EB2E049F.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...5309C71780.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...5322E5882C.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...5317C68056.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...532DD4498E.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...533DABC430.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...534BBCA998.jpg

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...537BE13786.jpg

While it would not be impossible for a German officer to have a commercial pistol, particularly in WW1, your pistol was produced in the 1920s, between both wars. The "Germany" on your pistol indicates it was meant for export. Most likely to the United States, which required a country of origen stamped on all imported pistols.

Your Grandfather more than likely acquired the pistol here at some point.

Thanks. That is what I sadly figured. Any comments on condition/value?

Am I to assume that it is .30 cal, not 9mm?
Condition isn't great but not that bad. The grips could be repaired and freshened up a bit by our Hugh.
Value is somewhere south of $1000. .30 cal. might bring around $750, and 9mm a bit more, maybe $850'ish.
But regardless of the story you attach to it, Great Grandpa was a warrior and this was his Luger. That makes it worth a lot more. If not to you, then to your kids.
dju

Are the blue magazines marked Mauser on the spine?

Thanks DJU. Yes, its .30 cal. Is the white-end magazine something that would have come with it? The two black-end mag's are marked "Made in Holland".

no, all three are aftermarket mags, the Made in Holland are very nice magazines

Yep, those Holland mags are nice. I have a couple myself.

Thx all. Now, do I dare shoot it?

So long as it checks out as in good working order, why not? But if a nmbered part breaks it will hurt the value a bit.
They are fun to shoot.
dju

Mags are not marked on the spines.

Where are they marked?

Thanks. They are marked on the bottom. Can send pic if you want.