Thread: Family Find
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Unread 07-14-2003, 11:03 AM   #10
John Sabato
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Jon, I originally posted to your first posting and everyone else posted to your second attempt so I have moved my comments here and deleted your duplicate posting.

Welcome to the Lugerforum... and thanks for sharing photos of your prize...

Your Great Uncle's Luger may have been brought back from WW2, but is actually a gun from WW1 (made by DWM in 1917)with a history...
The "1920" is actually a goverment property designation that was added (in 1920) when the defeated German government was being reorganized.

As you are no doubt aware (since you posted in this forum) This model is called Artillery Luger.

It's caliber should be 9mm.

Despite the fact that this gun has been dormant in some closet for a very long time, it is obvious from the photographs that after it's capture by your Great Uncle and before it was put away, he had the gun nickle plated... This is not a standard military finish. The dark marks in the photos "look like" someone has attempted at some time long ago to have the gun blued without removing the nickle plating... this may have been cold blue...
Since the original finish has been basically destroyed, this gun would be an ideal candidate for restoration by having the nickle plating removed and then having the gun rust blued, and the original strawed parts restrawed... I would recommend that you get in touch with "Thor" who hangs out in the Restoration forum at the bottom of the main discussion page...

This gun would be a great shooter as is, but would be simply beautiful if restored.

The holster is a commercial variety and I believe it would be valuable to some collectors... I will let someone else comment on it's possible value.

Were there any magazines with the gun? or any other accessories?
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