Value Request 1918 DWM Luger with sear safety, not double dated
 

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, please move if needed:

Numbers matching (except mag floorplate) non import marked 1918 DWM Luger in 9mm with all original finish with about 60-70% blueing maybe 2-5% straw. The bore is a little frosted in the grooves, but is in overall good condition with strong rifling. The grips have never been refinished and are in good condition. The metal is all original and never been refinished. The magazine is also a WWI era original magazine with wooden floorplate. The number is faint, but is not matching to the pistol serial number. Appears that this has a sear safety (which I assume would have to indicate Police rework) but not double dated, and I dont see any police markings in the photos. Thank you.

Photos: http://imgur.com/a/gebij

I'd base it around $1000 give or take $100, but there are variables such as full retail from a brick and mortar store vs. internet, collector to collector, region of the country, etc. What do you think?
dju

Welcome to the forum - please post pictures here, not hosted off site.

60-70% sounds a bit rough, but again, pictures would help, but many work environments don't allow us to go to imgur or other hosted sites

See our FAQ - it might help, but let me comment on a few things

double date - usually a date and a 1920 gov't property marking, not a rework
Police with sear safety, not necessarily a rework

not in the photos - is this not yours?

more photos (some might be duplicates sorry) its mine but still waiting to pick it up, just didnt think to upload photos to here

thanks

It is a well worn, but not abused 1918 - I think Davids price is about right, perhaps a bit more, $1200 perhaps, depending on what someone is looking for. Its a bit worn to be considered a collectable, but if all matching, it is by definition a collectable.

Ed

Thank you Ed and David, so does $1150 out the door sound likea fair price?

I would not pay that much for one - as there are nicer ones for around the same price.

I'd want it for $800-$900 at the most....

I concur with Ed and DJU

Am I right to assume any luger with sear safety has seen police service or at least been modified for such service, and that this was never added by military?

It is a police ONLY item - although some police lugers went into army service - but they were called police - remember that german police at that time were not as police are considered today, the county police would be much more like our police, while many others were very militaristic in nature.

Ah I see, thank you sir.

At this level of finish wear (below 80%) Lugers tend to attract much less collector interest, and be relegated to shooter status.

I think $1K is about right.

To answer your question, $1150 does not seem unfair. A bit high, but not outrageous. We all overpay occasionally, it's just part of collecting vs. pure business. Sometimes these things just choose us.
dju

Again, as stated, location/point of sale is a factor. Things like FFL receiver fee, state tax, shipping charges, registration fee can all add to the final price.

A $1,000 Luger will end up as a $1,150 Luger where I live, if bought within my state and shipped to a local dealer (for instance, a gun show sale). :(

Thank you David, I appreciate it. Advisable to not shoot it or can I "funtion check" it without feeling bad?

It might sell for $800; at $1150 it will be a very slow sale-if at all. JMHO.

Michigan?