Age and worth
 

I have an old Luger that I've had for quit a few years, I have taken it to few gun shops to try and find some info but haven't been able to find anything conclusive. I was hoping to get some more info.

It's kind of hard to tell, but it looks like a former military DWM mfg. gun, probably from WW1, although the date has been removed (or never was) over the chamber. There are at least 3 numbers that do not match, and while some finish looks original, the barrel in particular looks like a salt blue finish. Assuming that it is chambered for 9mm Luger, and given the mismatched numbering, I'd call it a nice shooter and value it between $750 and $900.
But let's see what others have to say.
dju

Thanks. I appreciate the info

I agree with David. Hard to tell what it was since many parts have been replaced. Absence of proof marks on receiver, maybe removed when reblued?? Should make a good shooter class and agree with David's value. All lugers are nice just some better than others. Enjoy!! Bill

There has been some manipulation of numbers under the barrel. The Eagle marks are not authentic, and I can't read the text. Also, the front of the Luger frame may have been ground and renumbered. The barrel looks like the finish may have been salt blue or cold blue. Hard to tell from these photos.

The magazine base is post WW-I era, and it would be interesting to see more markings.

Because of the potential for manipulation, I'd value it at the lower end of David's estimates.

I believe the barrel markings are quite authentic, just not original to the luger.

I believe it is an WWI or 1920 commercial, refitted with a barrel about 1940, and so marked with the name of the re-work bbl or company and the E/N and E/J proofs of the Nazi era. The over all finish and "build" would be typical of the era. JMHO.

A better close up of the bottom of the barrel would confirm or refute.:cool:

Here's better view of the bottom of the barrel and also a pic of a holster. I know the holster doesn't match the gun but also wondering what it does match with and the worth. Thanks for all info so far, this is already more info than I had from a few gun shops.

I agree with above, likely $800-$900 - hard to say - depends on who wants it - and if its in 9mm (find an old pencil, if it slips down easily, its a 9mm Luger - tight and its a 7.65mm (30 luger)

Holster, says, P38, but I'd like to see front and open lid

Your close up is a bit hard to see on the barrel, but the Eagle N is from around 1940 - unless someone added it.

The letter under the front of the frame is actually part of the serial number, so 5766 b or l (L) (I can't tell from the letter what it is for sure, one of the two...


ed

I think that we can agree that it is a mixture of parts and finishes. While this gun is not something to get a Luger collector all fizzed up, it is still a Luger that presents well. If it runs reliably it would be good property at the shooting range.
Any other questions?
dju

I can't agree that it is a mixture of "finishes", it is likely as it was re-worked/re-barreled in about 1940.

The name on the bottom of the barrel is likely the re-furbisher, the E/N is the nitro proof of 1940 and the E/J is the re-work proof of the same era. Yes, it is a mixture of parts, but not in the normal sense, JMHO.

The piece is probably just like it left the work shop of the gunsmith/ re-bulder. We see others and the bigger retailers like Frankenschloss marked them with their own trademark.

It might appeal to a specialist collector of private sales/ownership pistols of the era; still not valuable - but interesting- at least to me. ;)

So here's a few more pictures of the barrel and also the case. The eagle on the slide seems to different from the ones on the barrel. It is a 9mm and I've had it out shooting a few times. No problems with chambering or ejection

Not sure why the other pictures didn't show on the last post but here they are

Barrel pic

Eagle on slide. Sorry about the individual pics but no what I tried it wouldn't upload them in succcesion. I gues that's why I use a hammer for a living instead of a computer...

Holster is for P 38; has been modified by cutting away part of the leather under the flap.

The eagle is on the breech block, it is the Spandau(DWM) proof eagle; and should be on a DWM breech block. the luger does not have a "slide", so I guess this is the one you mean.

Barrel close up is still to small for me to read the name, but I have explained the eagles on the barrel twice.

And a holiday "Welcome" to the board.

Holster has been modified by cutting away part of the leather under the flap.

Don, Not necessarily! I have seen many of these that were just made that way IMO. Take a close look at this edge..There is little evidence there of a Bubba cut. Even the welting still shows..Just a thought.

Just wanted to say thanks for all those who responded and helped me learn some more about this gun.

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You're the expert, I was looking at the rear where the mag would be, looks pretty thin- but then it is pretty old.:cool:

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