1916 DWM Luger

ams · 12-18-2013, 08:38 AM

This was my great grandfathers luger that he brought back from the Great War. I would like to know how much to insure it for. As I have always wanted a Luger and it has great sentimental value, I would never part with it.

All the numbers match, including the grips and magazines.

It shoots well. I put 5 test rounds through it.

There is a tiny bit of rust between the ears, where the slide goes up in the back

The bore looks good.

I have the holster for it as well. Unfortunately, the strap that holds the holster shut disintegrated where the buckle had held it shut

ams · 12-18-2013, 08:45 AM

Photos, because what good is a post about a beautiful gun without sharing the evidence thereof.

Norme · 12-18-2013, 09:12 AM

Hi, I'd like to welcome you to the forum by name, forum rule require that you provide one. You have inherited a beautiful Luger, very few Imperial Lugers have survived with their two original issue magazines. It's interesting that one of the magazine bases is beechwood, while the other is the more commonly seen walnut. Walnut was in short supply during the latter part of the war, and beechwood was used as an expedient replacement.
Regards, Norm

alanint · 12-18-2013, 09:38 AM

Your spare magazine, (with the "+"), seems to have some fire damage. Should you wish to repair your holster to like new, forum member Jerry Burney is the best there is.

ams · 12-18-2013, 09:53 AM

Norm, Thanks for the welcome.

Alanint, I don't think it is fire damage, it looks more like there was a knot in the wood that broke off.

DavidJayUden · 12-18-2013, 10:34 AM

You had asked about insured value, and I'll throw out the figure of $2k for insurance purposes. A very ncie gun, and like Norm said, rarely found with 2 matching mags.
Definitely clean and lightly oil the internals, don't oil the grips. Maybe check YouTube for good disassembly tutorials, and above all be very careful, expecially when removing the left grip panel.
I second sending the holster to Jerry Burney for repairs. His work is the highest quality and no one knows more than he on these issues.
With just a bit of maintainance, it should last your family for generations. And now that you know it shoots, retire the old girl.
Welcome aboard.
dju

alanint · 12-18-2013, 10:37 AM

Also, don't store the pistol in the holster! The tanning acids in the leather will eventually attack the pistol's finish. stuff newspaper or a rag in the holster to help keep its shape.

ams · 12-18-2013, 10:51 AM

David, Thanks for the quick valuation. It is now retired, into the safe. I guess now I need one to have and one to shoot, maybe one of those cobbled together ones

Alan, It has been stored in the holster since at least the 60s, when my great-grandmother remarried. Now that it is with me, I will not make that mistake anymore, thx.

Geo99 · 12-19-2013, 12:40 AM

Nice 1916 Army Luger.
With the takedown tool, I would value it at $2200-$2300, just because a lot of folks will pay quite a bit extra for the two matching mags, and it is quite difficult to replace if anything happens to it.

- Geo

MikeP · 12-19-2013, 12:57 AM

A dealer would want North of $3000 for your rig and that is a fact.
Complete matching rigs like this simply do not show up on the market.

Yes, high dollar, but a rare desireable piece.

ams · 12-19-2013, 08:52 AM

Geo, Mike - Thanks for the evaluations.

12-18-2013, 08:38 AM	#1
ams User Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1916 DWM Luger This was my great grandfathers luger that he brought back from the Great War. I would like to know how much to insure it for. As I have always wanted a Luger and it has great sentimental value, I would never part with it. All the numbers match, including the grips and magazines. It shoots well. I put 5 test rounds through it. There is a tiny bit of rust between the ears, where the slide goes up in the back The bore looks good. I have the holster for it as well. Unfortunately, the strap that holds the holster shut disintegrated where the buckle had held it shut

12-18-2013, 08:45 AM	#2
ams User Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Photos, because what good is a post about a beautiful gun without sharing the evidence thereof. Attached Thumbnails

12-19-2013, 12:40 AM	#9
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 398 Thanks: 102 Thanked 125 Times in 74 Posts	Nice 1916 Army Luger. With the takedown tool, I would value it at $2200-$2300, just because a lot of folks will pay quite a bit extra for the two matching mags, and it is quite difficult to replace if anything happens to it. - Geo __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

12-18-2013, 09:12 AM	#3
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 225 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi, I'd like to welcome you to the forum by name, forum rule require that you provide one. You have inherited a beautiful Luger, very few Imperial Lugers have survived with their two original issue magazines. It's interesting that one of the magazine bases is beechwood, while the other is the more commonly seen walnut. Walnut was in short supply during the latter part of the war, and beechwood was used as an expedient replacement. Regards, Norm

12-18-2013, 09:38 AM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Your spare magazine, (with the "+"), seems to have some fire damage. Should you wish to repair your holster to like new, forum member Jerry Burney is the best there is.

12-18-2013, 09:53 AM	#5
ams User Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Norm, Thanks for the welcome. Alanint, I don't think it is fire damage, it looks more like there was a knot in the wood that broke off.

12-18-2013, 10:34 AM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	You had asked about insured value, and I'll throw out the figure of $2k for insurance purposes. A very ncie gun, and like Norm said, rarely found with 2 matching mags. Definitely clean and lightly oil the internals, don't oil the grips. Maybe check YouTube for good disassembly tutorials, and above all be very careful, expecially when removing the left grip panel. I second sending the holster to Jerry Burney for repairs. His work is the highest quality and no one knows more than he on these issues. With just a bit of maintainance, it should last your family for generations. And now that you know it shoots, retire the old girl. Welcome aboard. dju

12-18-2013, 10:37 AM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Also, don't store the pistol in the holster! The tanning acids in the leather will eventually attack the pistol's finish. stuff newspaper or a rag in the holster to help keep its shape.

12-18-2013, 10:51 AM	#8
ams User Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	David, Thanks for the quick valuation. It is now retired, into the safe. I guess now I need one to have and one to shoot, maybe one of those cobbled together ones Alan, It has been stored in the holster since at least the 60s, when my great-grandmother remarried. Now that it is with me, I will not make that mistake anymore, thx.

12-19-2013, 12:57 AM	#10
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	A dealer would want North of $3000 for your rig and that is a fact. Complete matching rigs like this simply do not show up on the market. Yes, high dollar, but a rare desireable piece.

12-19-2013, 08:52 AM	#11
ams User Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Geo, Mike - Thanks for the evaluations.