[Marvin]

Oyvind,


Welcome to the Luger Forum, we are certainly glad to have you with us and please be a regular!


I have been out of town on business the past couple fo days and just got to read your message and wanted to try an answer your questions. You do have a nice looking rig.


Your Luger appears to be in at least 93% condition and maybe a little better. It is rare to find one of this year with both matching magazines still with the pistol. Congratulations on the find.


1. The 1936 is not a rare pistol, but one in your condition does help the value considerably. The holster appears to be in very good condition. The value I will give is based on US pricing in my area (South Carolina) and I would say it is worth at least $1500.00 The pistol alone without a matching magazine would sell for approximately $800-900. and the 2 matching magazines would make the pistol at least $1200. The holster would add another $225. I assume there is a tool with it and this would give you the total value. I also may guess that a dealer at a gun show would be asking as high as maybe $1800.


2. I would definetly keep this one as a collerctors pistols and shoot it on occasions. I am a big WWII history buff also and I feel that the pistol has such historical value and monetary value that I would not use it as an "everyday" shooter.


3. As to the grips, I like the darker color. Unless they are "oil soaked" I wold leave them as-is and do nothing except take a soft toothbrush and clean any dirt out of the checkering. A VERY LIGHT application of boiled linseed oil rubbed into the wood after brushing may help a little. Since they are original and the checkering looks good, just a light cleaning is all that should be required. I like to leave as much originality as possible. It is easy to remove th egrips, but you must be careful not to break the edge near the safety lever and the lips at the top of the grips. many times they are stuck to the metal so I would remover the magazine, remove the screws and lightly tap them near the bottom, from the inside of the frame. Just don't force anything.


You are very lucky to find this rig and having th owners name on the inside really makes it a find. CONGRATULATIONS, and keep us informed on what you find about the original owner! I would appreciate any other Forum readers to correct me if they think I have made a mistake in the value.


Marvin