1916 DWM Luger
 

This was my great grandfathers luger that he brought back from the Great War. I would like to know how much to insure it for. As I have always wanted a Luger and it has great sentimental value, I would never part with it.

All the numbers match, including the grips and magazines.

It shoots well. I put 5 test rounds through it.

There is a tiny bit of rust between the ears, where the slide goes up in the back

The bore looks good.

I have the holster for it as well. Unfortunately, the strap that holds the holster shut disintegrated where the buckle had held it shut

Photos, because what good is a post about a beautiful gun without sharing the evidence thereof.

Hi, I'd like to welcome you to the forum by name, forum rule require that you provide one. You have inherited a beautiful Luger, very few Imperial Lugers have survived with their two original issue magazines. It's interesting that one of the magazine bases is beechwood, while the other is the more commonly seen walnut. Walnut was in short supply during the latter part of the war, and beechwood was used as an expedient replacement.
Regards, Norm

Your spare magazine, (with the "+"), seems to have some fire damage. Should you wish to repair your holster to like new, forum member Jerry Burney is the best there is.

Norm, Thanks for the welcome.

Alanint, I don't think it is fire damage, it looks more like there was a knot in the wood that broke off.

You had asked about insured value, and I'll throw out the figure of $2k for insurance purposes. A very ncie gun, and like Norm said, rarely found with 2 matching mags.
Definitely clean and lightly oil the internals, don't oil the grips. Maybe check YouTube for good disassembly tutorials, and above all be very careful, expecially when removing the left grip panel.
I second sending the holster to Jerry Burney for repairs. His work is the highest quality and no one knows more than he on these issues.
With just a bit of maintainance, it should last your family for generations. And now that you know it shoots, retire the old girl.
Welcome aboard.
dju

Also, don't store the pistol in the holster! The tanning acids in the leather will eventually attack the pistol's finish. stuff newspaper or a rag in the holster to help keep its shape.

David, Thanks for the quick valuation. It is now retired, into the safe. I guess now I need one to have and one to shoot, maybe one of those cobbled together ones

Alan, It has been stored in the holster since at least the 60s, when my great-grandmother remarried. Now that it is with me, I will not make that mistake anymore, thx.

Nice 1916 Army Luger.
With the takedown tool, I would value it at $2200-$2300, just because a lot of folks will pay quite a bit extra for the two matching mags, and it is quite difficult to replace if anything happens to it.

- Geo

A dealer would want North of $3000 for your rig and that is a fact.
Complete matching rigs like this simply do not show up on the market.

Yes, high dollar, but a rare desireable piece.

Geo, Mike - Thanks for the evaluations.