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mrerick · 12-14-2014, 10:42 AM

Hello, welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your new Luger .

You would expect to see the number "40 or "41" stamped on the inside of the trigger plate. The finish appearance of this plate looks different from the rest of the gun, so I expect that it was replaced at some point. It was common for the Wehrmacht soldiers to throw away the plate if they knew they were about to be captures (to prevent the Luger from being used by a GI on a German), so this is not that unusual.

I also think that this one has been refinished at some point. Several things point to this, but the use of flash in the photography tends to wash out the details of the finish, so it's hard to judge.

As a result of a refinish and parts replacement, if correct this would not be considered a collectible Luger, but a "shooter" which you can feel comfortable firing.

It is, without question, a wonderful family heirloom, and the generosity of your Father.

Congratulations again! Marc

12-14-2014, 10:42 AM	#8
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Hello, welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your new Luger . You would expect to see the number "40 or "41" stamped on the inside of the trigger plate. The finish appearance of this plate looks different from the rest of the gun, so I expect that it was replaced at some point. It was common for the Wehrmacht soldiers to throw away the plate if they knew they were about to be captures (to prevent the Luger from being used by a GI on a German), so this is not that unusual. I also think that this one has been refinished at some point. Several things point to this, but the use of flash in the photography tends to wash out the details of the finish, so it's hard to judge. As a result of a refinish and parts replacement, if correct this would not be considered a collectible Luger, but a "shooter" which you can feel comfortable firing. It is, without question, a wonderful family heirloom, and the generosity of your Father. Congratulations again! Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.