New to the forum and just purchased a Luger
 

I have an affinity for the older firearms and I was finally able to add a Luger to my arsenal. So, don't really know much about these but did some research and it appears I have Commercial Luger .30 from the early 1920's Crown N. Stamped Germany on the side. No other markings that I can see besides the labelled parts. Anyone have an idea on the approximate value of this Luger? and should I be concerned much about putting rounds this this firearm? I plan on shooting this, really not a collector.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psmjbhgqyr.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps3bqupyrq.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...pstoe5rx0v.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psiilg5yh7.jpg

Brian, welcome to the forum.

Depends on how much you paid? It looks very nice, but the pictures it is too hard to tell if its in excellent shape or refinished?

Ed

I paid $1250 for it. Might be a good deal, might not. At this point I am just glad to have a classic to shoot, but always interested in opinions from those that have more knowledge of these firearms.

Brian, see if a yellow pencil will drop into the barrel erasure first. If it will it's a 9MM. Looks like an original finish but like Ed says..might not be. Don't shoot it with the wood bottom mag. Get yourself a MecGar. These in .30 are around $800-1200
What markings are on the wood bottom mag? Look for hidden numbers..Underneath, sideplate, safety lever,takedown etc.

It's a Luger .30. Midway has the MecGar mag's for sale, will the 9mm mag work the the .30 Luger?

Yes, the mags are the same.

Well, its a really pretty luger and its yours!

:)

Ed

Ed,

I noticed you are the author of a few publications, if I want to learn more about these pistols, what book should I be looking at? Looking for the Luger version of the Colt Service Pistol Model 1911 by Charles Clawson.

Several members here have authored books on the Luger pistol.
The Luger encompasses so much history and information, there is no one book that does it all!

Jan Still has written 5 or more volumes on Lugers and Axis pistols, the volumes cover Imperial,
Weimar, Third Reich, etc.

Ed Tinker and Dwight Gruber have written Police Lugers, which emphasizes German police use, but contains a wealth of other info also.

Ed and G. Johnson have a volume dedicated to Simson made Lugers.

Don Maus has written History Writ in Steel, with emphasis on interpreting and meanings of the
markings of these pistols, and also has much other and general info.

Other books include a three volume masterpiece of all encompassing Luger information, of more than 1800 pages by Goertz and Sturgess.

There are several older books by others that are more general, John Walther's Luger comes to mind.

Sam Costanzo compiled a volume of Luger markings that is indispensable to the serious collector.

There are more I am forgetting to list, my bad memory, I'm not meaning to slight anyone.

My advice would be to read ALL the old threads here and elsewhere, decide what book(s) to buy first and then eventually buy them all.

$1000 spent on books will save you that much on your first one or three luger pistol purchases!:soapbox:

"$1000 spent on books will save you that much on your first one or three luger pistol purchases!"

I don't doubt that for a second. Thanks for the rundown. Part of the fun is learning the history behind these classics.

>> should I be concerned much about putting rounds this this firearm?

You want to know it works or not. A clip will tell you.

There was a "Luger Story" small booklet, written by John Walter, talked about Luger's history. There was a 1920 chapter. At full speed, DWM wartime production could create 800 Lugers per day. In 1920s, they suffered due to huge production capacity vs tiny market demand.

If your Luger is not refinished, it appears to be in excellent, original condition. If it also has matching numbers, I wouldn't shoot it, because if you break a numbered part, you'll be kicking yourself later. Bill

Posting the complete serial and any letter suffix would help site members better date your pistol.

.30 Commercials are my favorite, congrads. I did not know they go as high as 1200 now. Shoot it, I also have ammo for sale.

The serial # is 82943. The parts are labelled "43". The only other markings on the gun are the "N" and the DWM on the top. No other proof marks anywhere that I can locate.

it is a later commercial model (5 digit) (either before war or just after WW1) and there is a 'export' marking of Germany on the right

you can check Dwights write up on commercials (it is a sticky)