Luger carbines
 

Hello,
I saw this on gunsamerica and was looking to see if anyone here has any infomation or collects this
type of Luger.I had not seen one before, but it looks very nice! This is a restored 1902 Luger carbine so I think it maybe a little over priced?, but I do not know. Anyone collect them? Were these rare guns? They have a few more on the site, but pretty high priced(for me anyway). I did not know were to post this so I put it in this form as the Luger is a 1902. I am new to collecting Lugers, but I would LOVE to have one of these. Any info or names of books that I can buy so I can learn more about this fascinating gun will be appreciated.(I did not know so many models were around)


here is the site:
http://gunsamerica.com./guns/976244114.htm

Thank you

MG,
You have picked a good one to admire! The 1902 carbine is perhaps THE classic Luger. Only an estimated 2500 were produced. They were presented to notables such as Kaiser Wilhelm, Teddy Roosevelt, Hiram Maxim and others. Folklore has it that the carbine was created specifically for Kaiser Wilhelm because he had a withered left arm and had difficulty using a regular rifle for hunting.

A mint original carbine may command a $15,000 or more price tag and presentation examples are astronomical.

A very good book for the beginning collector is Charles Kenyon's "Lugers at Random". It gives a great pictorial view and data on many of the Luger variations. Good luck in collecting, it is a fascinating hobby.

Ron,
I believe the Teddy Roosevelt Carbine was the 1900 model instead of a Model 1902. It had the standard Luger front sight and a rear sight attached to the rear toggle instead of out on the barrel. Somewhere I have seen a picture of Kermit Roosevelt carrying the carbine in the jungles of South America. The difference in the sights is plainly visible.
The Roosevelt Carbine is missing, but the case (and possibly the stock) is in the Roosevelt Museum. The wear in the case clearly shows where the "ski Jump" rear sight rubbed the case.

Johnny,
Good info! Thank you.
Ron

I had a stone mint '02 carbine FS at last years MAX show. The piece appeared to have been purchased and then put in the top of a closet and forgotten about for 75-80 years. It had the original fleese lined case and the oiler rod also as well as an extra "Ordinance bomb" proofed magazine. It went to a friend for a combination of cash and stock, and I retain "first dibbs should he elect to dispose of it. Have some pix somewhere; will look for them.

Tom A.
Who is apparently going to Orlando for a couple of months

Hi Tac,

Among us yanks, particularly of the Southern persuasion, "Stone mint" means it does not get any better. The gun, except for some dust, was perfect.

In alternative southernese, it would have been said to be "sweet and perfect like a virgins...." but you get the picture.

Tom A <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />