1941 Mauser Banner Police,L, S/42, G3
 

I'm new here and have been researching my Luger. Going to order the books that will help me with all the markings.

But a little worried as I want to get some insurance on this piece, as I was told it might be a good idea. Can someone point me in the direction to get some idea. When I get some good pictures I will post them

I have little experience, and have gained so much from all of you, I thank you for that. I know I'm not a owner of this piece, but merely a caretaker(yes I'm the owner, if this makes sense), it looks very good for its age, but I did spend 4 hours yesterday cleaning and polishing. I'm fortunate that all serial #s match, including only one clip. Also will get the holster, but do not have it in my possession yet.

Dan

Please tread lightly cleaning and polishing, as iperfect original finish is preferable to altered.
I have no suggestions regarding insurance sources, but please provide photos as they become available.
dju

Agree
 

Hello David,

Oh yes, my extent is to swab the barrel with gun cleaner, and rub in with a soft cleaning patches with oil, and q tips. It seem to get happy when it got the gun oil.
Thank you for your post and info

Dan

Simpson's is the place for insurance prices. Find a comparable Luger and copy/print out the appropriate pages and keep them in your safe separate from your guns.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=179

Your Luger is a Mauser WW II issue, so http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=179_215 is the place to look...

Simpson's prices are generally thought to be on the high side, but for insurance that's what you want... :thumbup:

Graff:
Sorry about that. I misinterpreted your question. I thought that you were asking for insurance providers, not sources for estimates of value.
dju

Post
 

Hello David,

My mistake, my post was not clear, and thought out, thanks for taking the time to post

Best Regards,
Dan

Nice Avatar.

I recently saw the Bow Eagle from the Graf Spee at the Naval Museum in Montevideo. I often pass the ship while traveling on the Buenos Aires-Montevideo ferries.

"The Graf Spee"
 

Hi Alan,

This is interesting, as I just saw that they had saved the bow eagle from her, I'm amazed you saw this but more amazed you actually saw her. How long was she laying in the River Plate?

So have you heard the rumor that the some of the scrap iron from the Graf Spee went into the steel use to make guns, and a particular 45 Colt style that I have is supposedly be one of them.

The story is great for small talk.

The Captain didn't have much choice, he was ordered by Berlin (probably Hitler himself) to scuttle her. As she couldn't make the voyage home in winter sea's in her condition, as you might know.

Thanks for the great post.

Dan

The ship is still there. The British recovered some pieces of technological interest and over time the ship's superstructure was cut down to below water level. There is a steel structure that is like a series of crosses that sticks out of the water today, marking the Graf Spee for navigation purposes. The Uruguayans have also salvaged one of the ship's anchors and the ship's telemeter, which are on display outside the Museum. The German goverment has protested any future salvage of the ship. Captain Hans Langsdorf commited suicide in a Buenos Aires hotel for the act of allowing the ship to be cornered. There are several sailors who refused to return to Germany alive and well and living in Uruguay today.

I've heard the unsubstanciated rumor that steel from the ship was used to make the Ballester-Molina Colt 1911 clones by the Argentine goverment.

I have read about that in print before about the Ship and the steel for the pistols. There was a write up somewhere I remembered reading that debunked that as a myth. I will have to find that article. I am not sure but from what I vaguely remember from reading I think the steel from the ship was some sort of a cover story used to hide where the steel really came from.

I wonder why the German government would protest a salvage, especially being in a waterway, as the crew was removed before the scuttling. Yes agree, he was cornered, and know the ship had a lot of damage, I'm curious why support wasn't dispatched as there had to be other surface ships in the area to support the Captain.

Most know little about the Graf Spee, most discussion is in the Bismarck. I also have good interest in the Tirpitz, Bismark's little known sister.

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...ight=ballester

Here is discussion that may be of interest from another forum.

There is an article in the Feb 2014 American Rifleman on 'The Graf Spee and the Ballester-Molina'... :rolleyes:

I don't get the mag so I'm kinda curious what the Author states.

I agree, I would also

The Germans get nervous when a bunch of swastikas are flashed around in the news these days. They sort of hope to put it all behind them.

Yes, understandable.
But the German Navy fought valiantly with little support, but yes, I do agree

I checked the AR web site; the article (it's in this months' issue) hasn't been posted yet...If it ever will be... :rolleyes: