Nickel Plated?
 

Morning All,
When my father passed away in 1995 I recieved a Luger that he had purchased some years before. I was wondering if any of you could help me learn more about it. From what I have learned sofar it is a S/42 G(by the breach) ser# 6592 d(above trigger gaurd) the side of the breach has three stamps one being and eagle/63, from what I have learned I believe it was made in 1935 or about. It has all matching numbers(92) except the mag which is stamped 8465 d with an eagle/63. It is in excelent condition with some minor wear that you would expect. Heres the killer it's nickel plated with walnut grips fine checker and no border. I'm not sure if they were ever made with nickel finish or if someone had it plated. If they did it had to be around the time it was made as all of the ser.#'s are very clear even the small eagle and other stamps on the side. Could post pics if anyone is interested. Any and all help is welcome.

Thank you Gregg

Hi Gregg, welcome to the Luger Forum. It sounds like the pistol is one of a very few (about 2000 to 2500)that have the right side marks of a droop wing eagle-over-63 and the middle mark should be S|92. There were six different combinations of these marks in 1935 (G-Dates) and this is the fifth. The magazine, with a few numbers higher was built for a pistol in the sixth combination.

Now the bad news! The pistol was originally all blue, with some of the small parts a light golden color, called straw colored. It was typical of returning soldiers to have their war trophies plated with either chrome or nickel. This operation devalued the pistol in the eyes of collectors, but they still make very fine keepsakes.

Hope this answers your question! :)

Frank
thank you for your help, I was wondering what the approx. value maybe in light of what you have said. any suggestions?

Gregg

Gregg, my estimate would be in the $500 to $700 range. The value is to find someone that desires the pistol!!

Frank,
Again I thank you for your help so far. Yes it does have the eagle 63 on the right and the middle mark is s/92. It sounds like this would have been a nice pistol had they not have plated it. It's still a nice looking piece and it does have sentimental value to me. Thanks again and God Bless and have a Merry Christmas. Looking forward to participating in this forum.

Regards,
Gregg

Welcome Gregg!

Yes, as my friend Frank said, value drops very much when nickled, but the sentimental value far outweighs that!

Ed

hello and a very merry holiday season to all.i happened to chance a fortunate purchase last month and since then i've been trying to find out all i can about it.from reading this and other sites i have learned quite a lot about the luger pistol and it's variations-for that i thank all of you very profusely-you are very knowledgeable people.thank you.in october i found out about a weapons auction which was to be held near my home here in florida.i saw the most beautiful luger posted in the internet site and knew then and there that it was an auction not to be missed.to make a story short the luger ultimately ended up in my hands(although someone else won it at the auction).i have accessed all the websites and gun auctions i have seen in the internet to see if another just like it showed up but have not seen any other like it. the luger in question appears to be a presentation luger of some kind.it comes in a black wooden box with the third reich symbols on top(wreath around an eagle carrying the swastika-the leaves on the left side of the wreath are made to appear as if they are dried up from burning)......but back to the luger. it is chromed(or nickelled)in silver and gold.the serial numbers of the pistol all match(except for the magazines)and it comes with 8" and 4" barrels.i will post pictures as soon as i find out how. it is a 42 byf and the grips appear to be some kind of brown(cordovan)plastic. i had it appraised throught an appraisal service in the internet hoping to find out something interesting about it's provenance but all they did was tell me about it's estimated value($2,400-$2,600).if anyone can tell me something about the history of this beauty it will really be appreciated-btw,the auction listing stated it's provenance was unknown. what say you?? canuto

:confused: my apologies to all concerned if the preceeding should have been posted elsewhere. canuto

canuto, your Luger should have it's own thread and not be a trailer to this one. Not a criticism but a suggestion in order that your question be properly seen by the members and answered as well as possible.

Pictures of the Luger and it's box and accessories would be very helpful. It sounds like one that has been either privately spiffed up (sorry, that means ruined as far as a collectable) or one of those Lugers turned into an instant "collectable" by one of those outfits who ruin good Lugers in an effort to turn a quick buck from an unsuspecting and novice buyer. They've been advertised in various gun and sporting magazines and hurt the eyes of Luger collectors to the point of causing tears. On the off-chance that it may be an original presentation pistol, the pictures you post here will tell the tale.

I apologize if I seem harsh but the reality is that it is what it is..... designed to appeal to someone who like glittery things. I have no idea what you have invested in it and IF it's as I suggest, you may want to find a buyer who's not interested in collector value and then use the money to buy an original, un-altered Luger.

Please try to post pictures for a better analysis.

canuto,
This is the appropriate forum to post your question, although it probably should be a new thread. The Luger you have acquired is probably one of the "presentation" Lugers perhaps assembled by "Mitchell's Mausers", "The American Historical Society", another specialty company or perhaps something created by a private individual. These organizations restore and refurbish original Lugers, adding engraving and custom cases. These Lugers have some collector interest but are of current modern maufacture and are not authentic period examples of Lugers actually produced. They look marvelous but they are roughly the equivalent of purchasing a brand new custom car as opposed to buying an antique Rolls Royce. The estimated value that you were quoted is probably what the going rate is from the companies producing them. The provenance of "unknown" is a polite way of saying it is not an original piece.

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfuploa...onsp08_004.jpg

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfuploa...onsp08_005.jpg

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfuploa...onsp08_008.jpg

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfuploa...onsp08_010.jpg

here's hoping all the pictures come out. i have some more which will have to wait.

canuto************i see they did not show up <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> will try again later.

It appears to be a private creation and the short barrel may be the original for the pistol. Placing value is difficult but it has no collector value IMO. If you like it, keep it and enjoy it for what it is: a spiffed-up Luger that will appeal to those who like flashy things.

canuto

It saddens me to be the bearer of bad news, but dodging the truth doesnâ??t help anything either. The photos you have provided reveals a Luger that was not professionally redone by a specialty company, but is the work of a private individual who wanted to make a custom piece. All of the edges and contours of the gun have been considerably rounded over by heavy buffing before plating. I do not know if the two barrels are intended to be used interchangeably, but if they can be installed and removed by hand the piece may not be either safe or accurate to fire. Installation and removal of a Luger barrel requires special equipment and knowledge of proper headspacing. If you intend to fire it I would have it checked over by a professional gunsmith.

This Luger has been reduced to the status of a very attractive shooter, but has no intrinsic collector value. I do hope that this will not dampen your enthusiasm for Lugers, as they are a fascinating example of the gunmakerâ??s art as well as having a rich history. Learning about the many variations and proper configurations of this weapon is a worthwhile pursuit for the beginning collector, and I would urge you to read as many books on the subject as you can get your hands on.

Good luck

hello again,doubs,tacfoley & mr wood.i don't mind the luger being a shooter or having no intrinsic collector value.i bought it just because i fell in love with it.i see that the pictures did come up.even being a fabrication it still it a beautiful piece of machinery with an excellent presentation and i intend to keep it in my gun collection(i haven't fired a gun in more than twenty years).thanks for your input.happy holidays! canuto

Looks like an officers presentation model to me.

All,

I started to say something smart, but decided that the pix speak louder than any words I could say. A real P.O.S. and I hope that the maker gets to bunk with the al Quaida wogs on gitmo.

Tom A.

Gentlemen,
It is fitting and proper to point out the mistakes of a newcomer to the Luger fraternity to educate and hopefully preclude future errors in selection. It is not necessary to be rude. I have made some really magnificent mistakes and I always appreciated being instructed by those more experienced than I, rather than being belittled for my ineptness. If words fail you regarding what we old timers may consider a less than prudent purchase or an errant approach to collecting, then perhaps as my Dad told me, "the least said is the easiest mended". I am of the opinion that individuals should be encouraged to learn and participate in the hobby rather than be discouraged.
I need to get off my soapbox least I develop a nosebleed from the altitude. Sorry.

The nickel plated 1942 Mauser PO8 shown has had an 8" Bohler Stall barrel from the 1950s installed. The emblem on the case lid is a recreation of a luftwaffe dress officers badge with wreath. TH

thanks for the information,lugerdoc.below(hopefully)appears a close-up of the marking(s)on the 8" barrel. canuto
http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/p08_013.jpg

It may the reflection and the angle the photo was taken from... but the toggle axle head appears to me to be one of the "large flange" Navy type... Does anyone else agree?