Bizarre!

Ron Wood · 01-25-2003, 11:00 PM

About four years ago I bought a 1906 Brazilian contract Luger. It had just arrived in the USA and was a decent example. Brazilian Lugers, like Dutch Lugers, have been subject to harsh tropical conditions and less than optimum care over the years. This gun was better than the average Brazilian (in my opinion), but showed the results of use and an in-country reblue at some point in time. But for the most part, it hadnÃ¢??t been over buffed so it had fairly intact corners and markings. The barrel and frame serial numbers were weakened but still quite legible.

Fast forward to the recent Kansas City gun show. Lots of wonderful Lugers there, but one caught my eye and held it. The nicest Brazilian contract I have seen, and it looks like it probably is original (I never say Ã¢??absolutelyÃ¢?Â anymore Ã¢?? a sad commentary on our hobby, but that is another topic). To make a long story short I bought it and waited for it to be shipped to me.

When it arrived, I placed the two Lugers side by side to admire my upgrade. Imagine my surprise when I discovered they were only two numbers apart! My first one is serial number 982 and the latest one is 984. After nearly 100 years, two Lugers that were made only minutes apart are back together againÃ¢?Â¦Weird!

I apologize for the quality of the pictures. After moving, I havenÃ¢??t found my tripod yet, so the shots are hand-held and the lighting isnÃ¢??t as good as it should be, but perhaps later on I can add some improved shots and post them in the gallery.

Edward Tinker · 01-25-2003, 11:26 PM

Very cool!

That is some story and nice Luger Ron!!

Navy · 01-26-2003, 12:03 PM

Hows this: My pal Derek has a consecutively numbered and sequentially property marked pair of 06 Navies..and he didn't buy them as a pair...he bought one and then a couple of years later stumbled on the second one. I know of no other consecutive numbered navy guns in private hands.

Tom A.

Ron Wood · 01-26-2003, 09:37 PM

Tom,
Those Navies are one of the really great finds. My Brazilians are almost consecutive, but I do have consecutive guns. I have consecutive US Test Lugers that I also did not buy as a pair. After years of waiting for a Test Trials Luger that I could afford, a very nice one became available. Only about a month later I found the consecutive one (but unfortunately, a bit more costly than the first). I know of one other consecutive pair that were in a collection, and may still be since I doubt anyone would break them up once they were brought together.

John Sabato · 01-29-2003, 10:43 AM

VERY Nice Ron! What phenomenal good fortune!

unspellable · 01-29-2003, 04:17 PM

Not quite so exotic, but I bought a Mauser Interarms Swiss style frame with a 5 inch 7.65 barrel because I rather like the 5 inch length and it's not very common. Some time later I was able to buy the same pistol with the previous serial number, so I now have a pair with consecutive serial numbers.

Now all I need is a set of leotards and an eye mask...

BIRDMAN 1 · 03-15-2003, 04:51 AM

good story.. thats what makes collecting fun

John Sabato · 03-15-2003, 09:05 AM

This is certainly the week for serial number stories... if you haven't seen it yet, make sure that you catch GT's post on consecutive serial number 0-series P-38s... he bought one years ago, and just bought the other one. He didn't even realize that they were consecutive numbers until he sent in a descriptive report to Orv Reichert who keeps a database on P-38s... Orv input his data and saw that the other pistol had been reported by GT years before... and they are both in MINT condition!

karmast · 03-15-2003, 12:55 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />(..) if you haven't seen it yet, make sure that you catch GT's post on consecutive serial number 0-series P-38s... <hr /></blockquote>Have you got a link, please?

Edward Tinker · 03-15-2003, 01:04 PM

It is here on this forum,

Ed

G.T. · 03-16-2003, 02:09 AM

Hi To all! And also, hi to John! ...John, you're pretty close..as one is near mint (as close to mint as you can get out of a holster!) But,...the other is in somewhat lesser condition... about 93 to 94% I would think! Still...not to bad for a couple of consecutive numbered P.38's that went thru all of WW2! I am thrilled to have them! Best to all! til...lat...GT

John Lee Enfield · 03-26-2003, 02:51 PM

That's great Ron!
These two brazilian girls look very fine despite their age <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Douglas Jr. · 04-27-2003, 06:03 PM

Hi Ron,

Nice old ladies you get! <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />
And almost consecutive serial numbers after so much time! I simply love these stories!

Oddly the Brazilian Contract Luger are pretty difficult to find even here in Brazil. IÃ?Â´m still looking for a decent one, but I think that the best ones were sent to USA in late 70s. <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />

They were used by the Brazilian Armed Forces up to 1937 when were replaced for the Colt M1911A1 and the Smith & Wesson M1917. After the Luger were used by some States Polices, and the last ones were finally put aside during late 40s and 50s.

Once more, congratulations!

Best wishes,

Douglas. <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

Ron Wood · 04-27-2003, 10:57 PM

Ed, John, John Lee and Douglas,

Thank you for your kind remarks, they do make an attractive pair. However, I can't afford to keep two "old ladies" so #982 is going to be offered for sale soon. I need to take some good pictures so that folks can see what they are getting. I need to do some "spring housecleaning" on a few of my things. Another duplicate that I have is a pretty nice Ideal Stock/Holster and grips. Will look to see what else I can bring myself to part with.

01-25-2003, 11:00 PM	#1
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,017 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 5,164 Times in 1,700 Posts	Bizarre! About four years ago I bought a 1906 Brazilian contract Luger. It had just arrived in the USA and was a decent example. Brazilian Lugers, like Dutch Lugers, have been subject to harsh tropical conditions and less than optimum care over the years. This gun was better than the average Brazilian (in my opinion), but showed the results of use and an in-country reblue at some point in time. But for the most part, it hadnÃ¢??t been over buffed so it had fairly intact corners and markings. The barrel and frame serial numbers were weakened but still quite legible. Fast forward to the recent Kansas City gun show. Lots of wonderful Lugers there, but one caught my eye and held it. The nicest Brazilian contract I have seen, and it looks like it probably is original (I never say Ã¢??absolutelyÃ¢?Â anymore Ã¢?? a sad commentary on our hobby, but that is another topic). To make a long story short I bought it and waited for it to be shipped to me. When it arrived, I placed the two Lugers side by side to admire my upgrade. Imagine my surprise when I discovered they were only two numbers apart! My first one is serial number 982 and the latest one is 984. After nearly 100 years, two Lugers that were made only minutes apart are back together againÃ¢?Â¦Weird! I apologize for the quality of the pictures. After moving, I havenÃ¢??t found my tripod yet, so the shots are hand-held and the lighting isnÃ¢??t as good as it should be, but perhaps later on I can add some improved shots and post them in the gallery. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

01-25-2003, 11:26 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	Very cool! That is some story and nice Luger Ron!! __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

01-26-2003, 09:37 PM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,017 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 5,164 Times in 1,700 Posts	Tom, Those Navies are one of the really great finds. My Brazilians are almost consecutive, but I do have consecutive guns. I have consecutive US Test Lugers that I also did not buy as a pair. After years of waiting for a Test Trials Luger that I could afford, a very nice one became available. Only about a month later I found the consecutive one (but unfortunately, a bit more costly than the first). I know of one other consecutive pair that were in a collection, and may still be since I doubt anyone would break them up once they were brought together. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

01-29-2003, 10:43 AM	#5
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	VERY Nice Ron! What phenomenal good fortune! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-15-2003, 09:05 AM	#8
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	This is certainly the week for serial number stories... if you haven't seen it yet, make sure that you catch GT's post on consecutive serial number 0-series P-38s... he bought one years ago, and just bought the other one. He didn't even realize that they were consecutive numbers until he sent in a descriptive report to Orv Reichert who keeps a database on P-38s... Orv input his data and saw that the other pistol had been reported by GT years before... and they are both in MINT condition! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

01-26-2003, 12:03 PM	#3
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Hows this: My pal Derek has a consecutively numbered and sequentially property marked pair of 06 Navies..and he didn't buy them as a pair...he bought one and then a couple of years later stumbled on the second one. I know of no other consecutive numbered navy guns in private hands. Tom A.

01-29-2003, 04:17 PM	#6
unspellable User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 768 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	Not quite so exotic, but I bought a Mauser Interarms Swiss style frame with a 5 inch 7.65 barrel because I rather like the 5 inch length and it's not very common. Some time later I was able to buy the same pistol with the previous serial number, so I now have a pair with consecutive serial numbers. Now all I need is a set of leotards and an eye mask...

03-15-2003, 04:51 AM	#7
BIRDMAN 1 User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: REPUBLIC, MI Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	good story.. thats what makes collecting fun

03-15-2003, 12:55 PM	#9
karmast User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Germany Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">(..) if you haven't seen it yet, make sure that you catch GT's post on consecutive serial number 0-series P-38s... </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Have you got a link, please? __________________ Every Luger tells a story - but you have to find out what it says..

03-15-2003, 01:04 PM	#10
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	It is here on this forum, Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-16-2003, 02:09 AM	#11
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,503 Thanks: 1,318 Thanked 3,641 Times in 1,002 Posts	Hi To all! And also, hi to John! ...John, you're pretty close..as one is near mint (as close to mint as you can get out of a holster!) But,...the other is in somewhat lesser condition... about 93 to 94% I would think! Still...not to bad for a couple of consecutive numbered P.38's that went thru all of WW2! I am thrilled to have them! Best to all! til...lat...GT

03-26-2003, 02:51 PM	#12
John Lee Enfield User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Austria Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That's great Ron! These two brazilian girls look very fine despite their age <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> __________________ JLE

04-27-2003, 06:03 PM	#13
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Hi Ron, Nice old ladies you get! <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" /> And almost consecutive serial numbers after so much time! I simply love these stories! Oddly the Brazilian Contract Luger are pretty difficult to find even here in Brazil. IÃ?Â´m still looking for a decent one, but I think that the best ones were sent to USA in late 70s. <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> They were used by the Brazilian Armed Forces up to 1937 when were replaced for the Colt M1911A1 and the Smith & Wesson M1917. After the Luger were used by some States Polices, and the last ones were finally put aside during late 40s and 50s. Once more, congratulations! Best wishes, Douglas. <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

04-27-2003, 10:57 PM	#14
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,017 Thanks: 1,089 Thanked 5,164 Times in 1,700 Posts	Ed, John, John Lee and Douglas, Thank you for your kind remarks, they do make an attractive pair. However, I can't afford to keep two "old ladies" so #982 is going to be offered for sale soon. I need to take some good pictures so that folks can see what they are getting. I need to do some "spring housecleaning" on a few of my things. Another duplicate that I have is a pretty nice Ideal Stock/Holster and grips. Will look to see what else I can bring myself to part with. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction