Simple help for a new guy
 

I have one commercial Luger and am looking at another that a local shop just got in, supposed to have been brought back by a WW2 vet. It has 1917 over stamped with 1920, fairly worn grips and bluing in the 70-80% range, 3 5/8 barrel, all numbers I could see match except the barrel, there are numbers and letters X'd out on the front grip strap and it comes with a 1936 dated holster and has 2 mags one aluminium base and one black plastic or bakalite. The asking price is $495 + 8% tax, I know it's hard to judge from my discription but does this price sound ballpark? I rarely see these around and figure it's common but probably worth a go. Thank you for any input or help.
Brad

Hi Brad,

ERFURT or DWM??
9 mm or 30 Cal??

Some basic info:

Double dates are WWI Reworks of the Weimar Era

3 7/8 in is mostly a Commercial barrel lenght ( has been seen on some Military Models like Simson's )

1936 Holster of Nazi Era to go with Mauser ( S/42 ) P-08

Black Bakelite Mag with E/37 FXO markings to go with BYF 41 or 42 Coded P-08's

PICS would be helpfull...

Kidvett :cool:

It's a DWM, might be a 4 in. barrel, 30 cal. I just got to see it for a few minutes, the holster had an eagle looking crest with the date stamped on it and the makers name (started with an S) and was black leather. Sorry I can't post a pic. It seems to me like a decent buy with the holster and 2 mags even though it is a rework, I'd like to know what the markings on the grip strap mean, I suppose a unit or regiment. This is only about the 3rd one I've seen in the last few years in my neck of the woods but don't want to pay to much.
Brad

I don't know much about Luger conditions: prices, but it seems to me most of them start at about $500 and go up from there.

If it looks good mechanically and you want it, get it....try and talk the guy down anyway though--perhaps start at $400... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Brad,

Just a shooter's comment. .30 ammo is much more expensive to buy and tricky to reload than 9 mm. If shooting is your interest, you may prefer a 9 mm.

Agreed about reloading .30 Luger and .30 Mauser. Finding the right bullet weights can be a problem. I finally found some through Midway (85 grain Hornady - I think) that are FMJ. However, I've never enjoyed reloading those small bottle neck cartridges. In fact, due to big fingers, I'm not a real fan of reloading 9mm. Luckily, there's a good bit of reasonably priced 9mm ammo. I got a bunch of Norinco 9mm FMJ that my old 1915 DWM really likes.

The way I look at these things are what is the total value of all the items? If the holster is sound, not modified has good stitching etc.. it is worth atleast $150. How about the magazines? If they are original magazines, that is another $100, at the least. So now you have a Luger that is $245. I'd buy the rig ,sell the holster and mags since they are not correct for the pistol and then turn around and find the correct magazine.

My two bits,
Steve

O.K. I went back and checked it out a little closer, although I still have to rely on my memory, It is 9mm, the Plastic bottom mag has a nazi proof and P.08 on it, the aluminium base has a "5" or "s" /42, The holster is brown/black and looks like the top one on page 107 of the Luger Tips book I have. I guess nothing special about the gun but the bore is good and it looks sound but not exactly collector grade. Sorry to be so lose with my description but I'm not up on Lugers and rarey see any. Thanks again for the help/info.
Brad

As long as the gun is complete and in reasonable shootable condition I'd buy it. As a shooter it sounds ideal.

I agree with Stu. It is a good deal.
Lonnie

Brad, where in wershingtown are you located?

You can see about where I am, e-mail me and we can "talk" if you'd like.

Ed

Brad
The 1920 is probably not a date, I suspect it's a Reichswehr property stamp. The 1917 is the date of manufacture. When WW-1 was over, the "troops" simple went home from the war with all of their equipment. Not good!! During 1920 the government published a statement which basically read "bring the guns back or we will hang your ---" When the guns of all types were returned. They all received the 1920 property stamp. For further research see "Small Arms markings" page 60" or Heers-Verordnungsblatt, published by the Reichswehrministerium, Vol. 2, no.50 page 704 Berlin. 4- August- 1920.

The pistol is basically a post WW-1 Military rework and as someone said above "it's a shooter". I would not classify this as a true commercial Luger. If the holster is really nice and the magazines are above average, make an offer and see what happens. Tell me more about the second aluminum based magazine, serial number, suffix and acceptance marks, thanks. As you can see I also live in Western WA. email me if you like and I will try and help. drh@oz.net
Good Luck