My Luger

cruzans · 06-02-2022, 05:48 PM

Hi all - glad to have joined the forum

I have a battlefield pickup coming from Spain from the Spanish Civil War but until it arrives, I stumbled upon this one today. My shop takes care of me, and he took this one in and I bought it for what I feel was cheap

I'm always amazed at the range of values as a novice. Not sure if this one is anything special?
It appears to be all matching - even the magazine. Waffen looks like 63 on gun, 37 on magazine. Serial number 4 digit 1x12.
Just wanted to share and see if anyone had any thoughts on it? Just a random Luger in great shape? Thanks!

Doubs · 06-02-2022, 05:59 PM

Welcome to the forum. Your 1937 Mauser Luger is a first variation as it has straw colored small parts and rust bluing. During later 1937 production, Mauser began using a hot bath chemical bluing and all parts were blued except the safety bar that blocks the sear bar when engaged.

The early first variation 1937 Lugers are valued more than the second variation, all else being equal. Fewer of them were made. Also, look under the numbers on the front of the frame for a letter. That's called a "suffix letter" and is part of the serial number.

cruzans · 06-02-2022, 06:07 PM

Thank you. No letter under serial number on front of frame. Only possible letter is under the 12 on the back of the pistol - just a randome 0 or O stamped? No letter anywhere else

Doubs · 06-02-2022, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzans

Thank you. No letter under serial number on front of frame. Only possible letter is under the 12 on the back of the pistol - just a randome 0 or O stamped? No letter anywhere else

More pictures are needed; closeups showing details.

There are collectors on this forum who are far more qualified to assess your Mauser Luger than I but if I'm reading Jan Still's production chart correctly, your no suffix letter Luger should not have strawed parts as it was made near the end of production in 1937 when the hot salt bluing was used and small parts would be blued. I didn't want to mention it earlier but there's a possibility that your Luger has been refinished. The pictures you've posted aren't detailed enough to be certain.

cruzans · 06-02-2022, 08:49 PM

Thanks. I was curious if it might have been re-finished because it's in such great shape. But if it was, it was done well! I'll post some more pics. Thanks!

cruzans · 06-02-2022, 08:54 PM

The O on the back doesn't look like the O suffix that I've looked up

A few other pics

And if refinished, I'm surprised engraving is so crisp.....but again, finish seems too good for 1937

jeb111 · 06-02-2022, 09:28 PM

Suffix' wouldn't be on the back like that, they are located under the serial number on the front of the frame and barrel, but on later Mausers like yours just on the front of the frame. I looked in my book also and I think Doubs is correct your Luger shouldn't be strawed so it may be a refinish. Still a nice Luger but that would make a shooter class.

Jim

MikeP · 06-02-2022, 11:27 PM

Looks refinished, but they didn't get very aggressive with buffing it.
Hardest hit area I see is the rear of the toggle behind the sight where the 0 sits. Some rounding on the edges.

Yakman · 06-02-2022, 11:46 PM

Parts gun. The frame has a P.08 on it, 1937 is a little early for that.

Jack

Deputywood · 06-03-2022, 06:57 AM

The picture of the mag is not as sharp as would be helpful, but I don't believe it is the correct mag for this pistol. I think I see a suffix on it. Please correct me.

Karl · 06-03-2022, 11:10 AM

Yackman,

Good observation on the P.08. I also notice in the second photo that the receiver is proud of the frame, suggesting that the frame was ground and renumbered.

KFS

jeb111 · 06-03-2022, 12:41 PM

Yakman and Karl good pickups. Those observations are more apparent on my home computer but when I use my phone I miss a lot. Frame definitely shaved down so the Luger still maybe a good shooter but no where near a collectible. Cruzans hope you didn’t pay much for the pistol. Have Fun!
Jim

rhuff · 06-03-2022, 03:40 PM

The strawing appears to be perfect to my eyes!! I vote for a refinish.

Yakman · 06-03-2022, 06:26 PM

It also has the Mauser Hump which is a later feature.

Jack

tomaustin · 06-03-2022, 08:18 PM

great shooter-----let 'er rip..............

cruzans · 06-03-2022, 09:37 PM

Thanks all. I thought it was "too good". I paid $1000 out the door so I think I did ok.

spangy · 06-04-2022, 12:00 AM

The most important thing I find about ANY Luger is not how 'much its worth' but what it means to you.

You have a fine gun and an important piece of history as well as the fact that YOU love it ... and that's all that really matters.

cruzans · 06-04-2022, 09:16 AM

Thanks all. Yes, I bought it to have a piece of history and to enjoy it so I'm happy regardless of if it's been pieced together or not. If it has been, as it seems to be, whoever did it was very good. Everything looks correct and in great shape, but I thought it was just too nice to be original.

Karl · 06-04-2022, 10:41 AM

Cruzans,

$1000. for a cosmetically nice shooter is not crazy. And, you get to shoot it. Consensus on the forum is that the Winchester "white box" bulk ammo works great.

KFS

cruzans · 06-04-2022, 08:39 PM

Sorry for delay deputywood! Yes, you are correct, on the magazine that has matching serial number there is a suffix of "i".

06-02-2022, 05:48 PM	#1
cruzans User Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 13 Thanks: 13 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	My Luger Hi all - glad to have joined the forum I have a battlefield pickup coming from Spain from the Spanish Civil War but until it arrives, I stumbled upon this one today. My shop takes care of me, and he took this one in and I bought it for what I feel was cheap I'm always amazed at the range of values as a novice. Not sure if this one is anything special? It appears to be all matching - even the magazine. Waffen looks like 63 on gun, 37 on magazine. Serial number 4 digit 1x12. Just wanted to share and see if anyone had any thoughts on it? Just a random Luger in great shape? Thanks!

06-03-2022, 03:40 PM	#13
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,290 Thanks: 2,707 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	The strawing appears to be perfect to my eyes!! I vote for a refinish. __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21

06-04-2022, 12:00 AM	#17
spangy Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 617 Thanks: 3,065 Thanked 1,057 Times in 429 Posts	The most important thing I find about ANY Luger is not how 'much its worth' but what it means to you. You have a fine gun and an important piece of history as well as the fact that YOU love it ... and that's all that really matters. __________________ Whoever said that "money can't buy you happiness" never bought a Luger. WTB - Take Down Lever & Trigger Plate (#90) for an Imperial Artillery.

06-02-2022, 05:59 PM	#2
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,696 Thanks: 792 Thanked 1,679 Times in 552 Posts	Welcome to the forum. Your 1937 Mauser Luger is a first variation as it has straw colored small parts and rust bluing. During later 1937 production, Mauser began using a hot bath chemical bluing and all parts were blued except the safety bar that blocks the sear bar when engaged. The early first variation 1937 Lugers are valued more than the second variation, all else being equal. Fewer of them were made. Also, look under the numbers on the front of the frame for a letter. That's called a "suffix letter" and is part of the serial number.

06-02-2022, 06:07 PM	#3
cruzans User Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 13 Thanks: 13 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	Thank you. No letter under serial number on front of frame. Only possible letter is under the 12 on the back of the pistol - just a randome 0 or O stamped? No letter anywhere else

06-02-2022, 08:49 PM	#5
cruzans User Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 13 Thanks: 13 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	Thanks. I was curious if it might have been re-finished because it's in such great shape. But if it was, it was done well! I'll post some more pics. Thanks!

06-02-2022, 08:54 PM	#6
cruzans User Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 13 Thanks: 13 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	The O on the back doesn't look like the O suffix that I've looked up A few other pics And if refinished, I'm surprised engraving is so crisp.....but again, finish seems too good for 1937

06-02-2022, 09:28 PM	#7
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 277 Thanks: 711 Thanked 331 Times in 133 Posts	Suffix' wouldn't be on the back like that, they are located under the serial number on the front of the frame and barrel, but on later Mausers like yours just on the front of the frame. I looked in my book also and I think Doubs is correct your Luger shouldn't be strawed so it may be a refinish. Still a nice Luger but that would make a shooter class. Jim

06-02-2022, 11:27 PM	#8
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Looks refinished, but they didn't get very aggressive with buffing it. Hardest hit area I see is the rear of the toggle behind the sight where the 0 sits. Some rounding on the edges.

06-02-2022, 11:46 PM	#9
Yakman User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 119 Thanks: 881 Thanked 81 Times in 40 Posts	Parts gun. The frame has a P.08 on it, 1937 is a little early for that. Jack

06-03-2022, 06:57 AM	#10
Deputywood User Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 73 Thanks: 74 Thanked 87 Times in 36 Posts	The picture of the mag is not as sharp as would be helpful, but I don't believe it is the correct mag for this pistol. I think I see a suffix on it. Please correct me.

06-03-2022, 11:10 AM	#11
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 520 Thanks: 0 Thanked 266 Times in 116 Posts	Yackman, Good observation on the P.08. I also notice in the second photo that the receiver is proud of the frame, suggesting that the frame was ground and renumbered. KFS

06-03-2022, 12:41 PM	#12
jeb111 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: May 2018 Location: wyoming Posts: 277 Thanks: 711 Thanked 331 Times in 133 Posts	Yakman and Karl good pickups. Those observations are more apparent on my home computer but when I use my phone I miss a lot. Frame definitely shaved down so the Luger still maybe a good shooter but no where near a collectible. Cruzans hope you didn’t pay much for the pistol. Have Fun! Jim

06-03-2022, 06:26 PM	#14
Yakman User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 119 Thanks: 881 Thanked 81 Times in 40 Posts	It also has the Mauser Hump which is a later feature. Jack

06-03-2022, 08:18 PM	#15
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	great shooter-----let 'er rip..............

06-03-2022, 09:37 PM	#16
cruzans User Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 13 Thanks: 13 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	Thanks all. I thought it was "too good". I paid $1000 out the door so I think I did ok.

06-04-2022, 09:16 AM	#18
cruzans User Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 13 Thanks: 13 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	Thanks all. Yes, I bought it to have a piece of history and to enjoy it so I'm happy regardless of if it's been pieced together or not. If it has been, as it seems to be, whoever did it was very good. Everything looks correct and in great shape, but I thought it was just too nice to be original.

06-04-2022, 10:41 AM	#19
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 520 Thanks: 0 Thanked 266 Times in 116 Posts	Cruzans, $1000. for a cosmetically nice shooter is not crazy. And, you get to shoot it. Consensus on the forum is that the Winchester "white box" bulk ammo works great. KFS

06-04-2022, 08:39 PM	#20
cruzans User Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 13 Thanks: 13 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts	Sorry for delay deputywood! Yes, you are correct, on the magazine that has matching serial number there is a suffix of "i".