1939 "42" Luger
 

I am looking into purchasing this gun from a private owner. The gun is probably 98% bluing and according to owner, grips do not have any numbers inside. I have included a picture of right side of gun seeking some answers. The numbers on the side plate were Xed out and scribed the last two digits of serial number. Also, the serial number on the right side has an X next to the number but nothing under it. Is this a local fixed?
http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/DSC00014.jpg
Thanks, Tony

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Hi Tony,

That Luger is a former East Bloc POW, probably Russian surplus. It has been reworked extensively and may make an OK shooter but it has zero collector value.

Hope this helps,

Tom A.

Tony,

IMHO

The "x" markings are an indicator that this Luger is part of a batch of recent russian imported guns from their captured WW2 guns.

Most all of these guns have been dip reblued. The finish is most likely not original.

The sideplate was replaced from captured parts and electric penciled to match the serial number.

The potential value of the gun I will leave to someone else to estimate... but if it seems in good mechanical shape and you get it for a good price it should make a great shooter.

Tony, it's most likely a Russian "capture" piece that has been refurbished by the Russians prior to being sold.... just as John S. has already said.

Tom A is also correct in that it will have little appeal to collectors and should be priced as a "shooter". You should be able to get the piece at a good price and if the bore is in VG or better condition it'll be a nice shooter.

Some (myself included) are of the opinion that the East German reworks and Russia capture pistols will one day be a collectable within their own rights. They'll NEVER command the prices of the original all-matching guns but so many of them will be heavily used as shooters or parted out to repair other pistols that they'll become scarce. These guns are as much a part of Luger history as any other and deserve to be preserved as such. If reworks by Simpson or Vono or Frankenschloss are accepted as varients, why not the East German and Russian capture pistols?

Thanks a lot for the information. I had the feeling that it was a Russian rework. I just had some doubts since everything else matched so well with a veeeery good bore.
I will continue with the hunting.
Thanks, Tony <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />