What have I got here?

downeastah · 05-03-2010, 08:42 PM

I just inherited this 1917 Luger from my maternal grandfather. He was retired from the Coast Guard, a WWII survivor of not only North Atlantic convoys, but the PTO. Part of what I got was this Luger. I never found out how he came by it, but as a ship's engineer, he was quite the scrounger, eh.

FNorm · 05-03-2010, 08:52 PM

You have a 1917 DWM police. It has the sear safety. That's the little leaf spring that goes across the top of the side plate. We could tell you a little more with pics of the serial no. on the front of the frame. Any numbers and letters. Any lettering on the grips straps? Looks to be in good shape. The wood bottomed magazine is proper for that era. Does it have numbers that match the pistol? The other mag looks to be late WWII.

FN

downeastah · 05-03-2010, 09:08 PM

Thanks for the reply.
All numbers I can find are 2088, so they all seem to be original parts. The mag #s are different. The # on the wood mag is 7695, I think. the "69" is a bit iffy. Below the number is what appears to be a lower case, cursive "L".
The holster is kinda rough. The stitching has rotted at the top. There is a barly visible "4182" on the back and what appears to be "FROST & JANNEL" stamped into the leather.
This help?

Edward Tinker · 05-03-2010, 09:32 PM

Nice Police! Welcome to the forum!

Any markings on the front gripstrap?

Jerry Burney (who is driving back to Colorado as I speak) can fix the stitching; he literally puts new, correct stitching in the original holes, and could fix the rotting stitching.

In addition the outside could be made much nicer with Connely's, being aware that it would darken the brown (but not too bad)

Ed

FNorm · 05-03-2010, 10:06 PM

Downeast,

Ya started with a pretty good 1917. May I suggest that you read all the 'stickies' in the new collector forum. Then watch the disassembly at: http://www.wonderhowto.com/search/luger/ The ones on this site don't work for me, but may for you. The sear safety can be tricky the first time you see one. There's a pin that goes down through the sear bar. The side plate holds it up. But once you see how it works it is pretty simple. Be very careful with the left grip, as it is very easy to chip, up by the safety lever. Remove the grip screw, then just barely lift the bottom of the grip and rotate the whole thing forward. Again, once you see how it works, it s simple.

Welcome! Did anyone till you Lugers are addictive yet?

FN

mrerick · 05-04-2010, 08:36 AM

Hi,

The finish of the salt blued metal and the golden "strawed" metal on your gun is in very good condition. If it was never refinished after manufacture, this makes your gun much more valuable. Collectors want Lugers that have not been "messed" with...

The cursive letter "c" seen under your 2088 serial number is actually part of the gun's serial number. "2088c".

The nickel plated wood based magazine is likely contemporary with the gun. The blued magazine (is it an "FXO"?) is much later.

Marc

downeastah · 05-04-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Nice Police! Welcome to the forum!

Any markings on the front gripstrap?

Jerry Burney (who is driving back to Colorado as I speak) can fix the stitching; he literally puts new, correct stitching in the original holes, and could fix the rotting stitching.

In addition the outside could be made much nicer with Connely's, being aware that it would darken the brown (but not too bad)

Ed

I can find no markings on the gripstraps. Would there be anything under the grips?
Would repairing the holster do anything to the value, or does the holster have none as is anyway?
Thanx for the input.

downeastah · 05-04-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FNorm

Downeast,

Ya started with a pretty good 1917. May I suggest that you read all the 'stickies' in the new collector forum. Then watch the disassembly at: http://www.wonderhowto.com/search/luger/ The ones on this site don't work for me, but may for you. The sear safety can be tricky the first time you see one. There's a pin that goes down through the sear bar. The side plate holds it up. But once you see how it works it is pretty simple. Be very careful with the left grip, as it is very easy to chip, up by the safety lever. Remove the grip screw, then just barely lift the bottom of the grip and rotate the whole thing forward. Again, once you see how it works, it s simple.

Welcome! Did anyone till you Lugers are addictive yet?

FN

Thanx. I don't plan on doing anything to the piece right now. My grandfather was one of those super-picky Danes and he took great care of everything.
Oh, great! Like I need another addiction. The Spousal Unit has told me that the one I have now, Garanditis, is enough. I was hoping to get another Garand before the Luger came along, but she is starting to give me that hairy eyeball, eh.

downeastah · 05-04-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

Hi,

The finish of the salt blued metal and the golden "strawed" metal on your gun is in very good condition. If it was never refinished after manufacture, this makes your gun much more valuable. Collectors want Lugers that have not been "messed" with...

The cursive letter "c" seen under your 2088 serial number is actually part of the gun's serial number. "2088c".

The nickel plated wood based magazine is likely contemporary with the gun. The blued magazine (is it an "FXO"?) is much later.

Marc

Thanx for the input. AFAIK, the finish is original. The bore looks good, too.
The question of value brings up another point. Is there enough value with this to worry about insurance rider? Should I shoot it, or would I be better off keeping it as pristine as I can?
I need another addiction like I need another hole in my head!!11!!

FNorm · 05-04-2010, 10:09 AM

Downeast,

They don't make lugers anymore, and that goes for the original holsters too. Your's is nice enough to try to save. As others here have stated, Jerry does great work:

lugerholsterrepair
WWI WWII Holsters & Accoutrements
Jerry Burney
13320 E. 45th Lane
Yuma, AZ 85367

928 342 7583

But he's on his way back to Colorado right now. He winters in the desert as he has a severe allergy to snow shovels! In the meantime, don't put shoe polish or anything with silicone on that leather.

The pistol and holster together are in the $2000 range, plus or minus, for insurance purposes.

This forum is chock full of experts in the repair, and parts areas.

Hmmm... Hairy eyeball, huh? Good luck!

FN

downeastah · 05-04-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FNorm

Downeast,

(snip)

But he's on his way back to Colorado right now. He winters in the desert as he has a severe allergy to snow shovels! In the meantime, don't put shoe polish or anything with silicone on that leather.

The pistol and holster together are in the $2000 range, plus or minus, for insurance purposes.

This forum is chock full of experts in the repair, and parts areas.

Hmmm... Hairy eyeball, huh? Good luck!

FN

Yah, thanx. And I understand snow shovel allergies, what with living in Eastport, Maine.
"This may not be the edge of the Universe, but we can see it from here."
I'll give Jerry a call sometime.

downeastah · 05-04-2010, 08:12 PM

Just one more question. While taking a closer look at the piece, I discovered some small numbers below the SN# on the barrel. they appear to be "3,82". Do these make any difference?
Oh, yeah. The chamber is really white and clean.

Norme · 05-04-2010, 08:22 PM

Hi Terry, The numbers below the serial on the barrel are actually 8.82, the internal diameter from land to land, in millimeters. Regards, Norm

downeastah · 05-04-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norme

Hi Terry, The numbers below the serial on the barrel are actually 8.82, the internal diameter from land to land, in millimeters. Regards, Norm

Learn something new every day.
Thanx much.
Oh noes!!1!! I think iz getting addicted!

FNorm · 05-04-2010, 08:54 PM

Cackle, snort, chortle... PSST! Hey Buddy? Wanna buy a real LUGER?!?!?!

downeastah · 05-04-2010, 08:59 PM

Aw, I can quit any time, ya know.
Really.

05-03-2010, 08:42 PM	#1
downeastah User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Serenity Valley Posts: 15 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What have I got here? I just inherited this 1917 Luger from my maternal grandfather. He was retired from the Coast Guard, a WWII survivor of not only North Atlantic convoys, but the PTO. Part of what I got was this Luger. I never found out how he came by it, but as a ship's engineer, he was quite the scrounger, eh. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Well, what you plan and what takes place ain't ever exactly been similar." Jayne Cobb

05-03-2010, 09:08 PM	#3
downeastah User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Serenity Valley Posts: 15 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the reply. All numbers I can find are 2088, so they all seem to be original parts. The mag #s are different. The # on the wood mag is 7695, I think. the "69" is a bit iffy. Below the number is what appears to be a lower case, cursive "L". The holster is kinda rough. The stitching has rotted at the top. There is a barly visible "4182" on the back and what appears to be "FROST & JANNEL" stamped into the leather. This help? Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Well, what you plan and what takes place ain't ever exactly been similar." Jayne Cobb

05-03-2010, 09:32 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	Nice Police! Welcome to the forum! Any markings on the front gripstrap? Jerry Burney (who is driving back to Colorado as I speak) can fix the stitching; he literally puts new, correct stitching in the original holes, and could fix the rotting stitching. In addition the outside could be made much nicer with Connely's, being aware that it would darken the brown (but not too bad) 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

05-04-2010, 10:09 AM	#10
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Downeast, They don't make lugers anymore, and that goes for the original holsters too. Your's is nice enough to try to save. As others here have stated, Jerry does great work: lugerholsterrepair WWI WWII Holsters & Accoutrements Jerry Burney 13320 E. 45th Lane Yuma, AZ 85367 928 342 7583 But he's on his way back to Colorado right now. He winters in the desert as he has a severe allergy to snow shovels! In the meantime, don't put shoe polish or anything with silicone on that leather. The pistol and holster together are in the $2000 range, plus or minus, for insurance purposes. This forum is chock full of experts in the repair, and parts areas. Hmmm... Hairy eyeball, huh? Good luck! FN Last edited by FNorm; 05-04-2010 at 10:10 AM. Reason: sp

05-04-2010, 08:12 PM	#12
downeastah User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Serenity Valley Posts: 15 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just one more question. While taking a closer look at the piece, I discovered some small numbers below the SN# on the barrel. they appear to be "3,82". Do these make any difference? Oh, yeah. The chamber is really white and clean. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Well, what you plan and what takes place ain't ever exactly been similar." Jayne Cobb

05-03-2010, 08:52 PM	#2
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	You have a 1917 DWM police. It has the sear safety. That's the little leaf spring that goes across the top of the side plate. We could tell you a little more with pics of the serial no. on the front of the frame. Any numbers and letters. Any lettering on the grips straps? Looks to be in good shape. The wood bottomed magazine is proper for that era. Does it have numbers that match the pistol? The other mag looks to be late WWII. FN

05-03-2010, 10:06 PM	#5
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Downeast, Ya started with a pretty good 1917. May I suggest that you read all the 'stickies' in the new collector forum. Then watch the disassembly at: http://www.wonderhowto.com/search/luger/ The ones on this site don't work for me, but may for you. The sear safety can be tricky the first time you see one. There's a pin that goes down through the sear bar. The side plate holds it up. But once you see how it works it is pretty simple. Be very careful with the left grip, as it is very easy to chip, up by the safety lever. Remove the grip screw, then just barely lift the bottom of the grip and rotate the whole thing forward. Again, once you see how it works, it s simple. Welcome! Did anyone till you Lugers are addictive yet? FN

05-04-2010, 08:36 AM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	Hi, The finish of the salt blued metal and the golden "strawed" metal on your gun is in very good condition. If it was never refinished after manufacture, this makes your gun much more valuable. Collectors want Lugers that have not been "messed" with... The cursive letter "c" seen under your 2088 serial number is actually part of the gun's serial number. "2088c". The nickel plated wood based magazine is likely contemporary with the gun. The blued magazine (is it an "FXO"?) is much later. Marc

05-04-2010, 08:22 PM	#13
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Terry, The numbers below the serial on the barrel are actually 8.82, the internal diameter from land to land, in millimeters. Regards, Norm

05-04-2010, 08:54 PM	#15
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Cackle, snort, chortle... PSST! Hey Buddy? Wanna buy a real LUGER?!?!?!

05-04-2010, 08:59 PM	#16
downeastah User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Serenity Valley Posts: 15 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Aw, I can quit any time, ya know. Really. __________________ "Well, what you plan and what takes place ain't ever exactly been similar." Jayne Cobb