New Luger Owner

SnakeEyes · 09-21-2013, 12:06 AM

My Father-in-law passed away last week, and I inherited his Luger. I was just curious about it. From what I can tell all the parts have matching numbers. I am unsure about the magazine. It has a "P08" marking, an "fxo", and an eagle with a "37" below it. I was also curious about storage. Is there anything in particular I should do to preserve the firing pin or anything else?

Thanks!

Edward Tinker · 09-21-2013, 08:48 AM

I would expect to to find an import marking. It has characteristics of a russian capture, X on the right, typical russian replacement grips.

Is it matching and are any parts re-written or stamped over?

The take down lever looks like it is not a 09?

But overall a very nice looking WW2 luger, either it missed being 'dip-blued' or it was removed (supposedly that is not hard to do)

SteveM · 09-21-2013, 09:10 AM

Your Luger is a 42 code(Mauser) dated 1939. It is a Russian capture piece that went through an armory where it received a dip blue and new grips(and replaced parts if necessary). The "x" on the frame is an indicator of previous Russian capture/arsenal rebuild. The magazine is a Mauser mag but it is not proper for 1939. It looks like there may be an importers mark stamped on underside of barrel.

The takedown lever and the extractor appear to have had the numbers peened out but everything else looks pretty good. Most of these you see didn't fare so well and have been force matched with electro penciled numbers. I would disassemble it, clean it up and re-oil. You can release the firing pin gently by pulling slightly back on the toggle and then press the trigger while at the same time letting the toggle back down. If you are going to shoot it I would find a MecGar magazine and put the other one away. That mag can be worth up to a couple hundred bucks depending on overall condition.

SnakeEyes · 09-21-2013, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

I would expect to to find an import marking. It has characteristics of a russian capture, X on the right, typical russian replacement grips.

Is it matching and are any parts re-written or stamped over?

The take down lever looks like it is not a 09?

But overall a very nice looking WW2 luger, either it missed being 'dip-blued' or it was removed (supposedly that is not hard to do)

the take down lever appears to be scratched or possibly stamped over??. it is difficult to read but does not appear to be "09". the rest of the parts have either the full "6209" or "09". is it possible to find more information about the gun from the serial?

Thank you for you help!!

SnakeEyes · 09-21-2013, 09:21 AM

better pic of the take down lever and underside of barrel. is the scuff looking area what you are referring to as an import mark?

SteveM · 09-21-2013, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeEyes

is it possible to find more information about the gun from the serial?

No other info available with serial number 6209y other than an estimated month of manufacture. I would guess end of 1939. Someone else here may be able to give you a better answer on this.

SteveM · 09-21-2013, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeEyes

better pic of the take down lever and underside of barrel. is the scuff looking area what you are referring to as an import mark?

That is what I thought it might be but from the pic can't tell for sure.

SnakeEyes · 09-21-2013, 09:38 AM

the inside of the barrel appears to be in excellent condition. what would your best guess be for the approximate value of this gun?

DavidJayUden · 09-21-2013, 09:46 AM

$750, give or take $100 depending on "stuff".
dju

mrerick · 09-21-2013, 09:49 AM

These Russian Capture Lugers sold recently for around $700. This one is in particularly nice condition, so may be worth $100 or $150 more than that. (I was typing as David posted above - our estimates are roughly the same)...

If someone removed the import mark, I believe that is a violation of the ATF regulations and law. Take a good look over all the metal to see if there is an import stamp elsewhere. Use care when removing the grips.

It would be odd for a military marked take down lever to be defaced on the bottom where your lever is. It might have been off a commercial Luger (which has it's numbers in that location).

SnakeEyes · 09-21-2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

$750, give or take $100 depending on "stuff".
dju

thanks for all the info guys! i'm a history buff and have absolutely no intentions of ever letting this go.

Geo99 · 09-21-2013, 10:54 PM

Definitely a Russian dip re-blue.
Not the original sideplate - it has been ground down, poorly.
The mag is nice.

Could that be an importer stamp under the barrel where it is scratched off?

I wouldn't worry about preserving it - just shoot it & clean it like any other gun.

If it shoots good, I bet you could get $900 for it on gunbroker.

- Geo

Curly1 · 09-22-2013, 10:14 AM

Welcome to the forum, nice piece.

Have fun shooting it and give us a range report.

Frank · 09-22-2013, 10:55 AM

Hi SnakeEyes, looks like a nice shooter! I will agree with SteveM on the production date. I believe December 1939 is a good estimate.

alanint · 09-22-2013, 04:25 PM

Please note that the sideplate has also been scrubbed and renumbered.

Sergio Natali · 09-23-2013, 04:39 AM

Your Luger was made by MAUSER in 1939. It was captured by the Red Army (cross) and like the most of the aptured weapons was refurbished all over. I think the magazine is wrong for that Luger.
I would carefully check the barrel first and after changing the magazine I would use it as a nice shooter at the range.

Geo99 · 09-23-2013, 11:47 PM

Sergio,

Why change the magazine?

Sergio Natali · 09-24-2013, 06:37 AM

If I were you I would be sorry to use that magazine, I'm sure you can find a newer one (MecGar) and keep the original one.

SteveM · 09-24-2013, 06:02 PM

The bases on those FXO magazines can be somewhat fragile.

Geo99 · 09-25-2013, 11:46 PM

I knew the wood base mags are fragile but I didn't know the plastic ones are too.
Thanks

09-21-2013, 12:06 AM	#1
SnakeEyes User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: KY Posts: 5 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Luger Owner My Father-in-law passed away last week, and I inherited his Luger. I was just curious about it. From what I can tell all the parts have matching numbers. I am unsure about the magazine. It has a "P08" marking, an "fxo", and an eagle with a "37" below it. I was also curious about storage. Is there anything in particular I should do to preserve the firing pin or anything else? Thanks! Attached Thumbnails

09-21-2013, 08:48 AM	#2
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	I would expect to to find an import marking. It has characteristics of a russian capture, X on the right, typical russian replacement grips. Is it matching and are any parts re-written or stamped over? The take down lever looks like it is not a 09? But overall a very nice looking WW2 luger, either it missed being 'dip-blued' or it was removed (supposedly that is not hard to do) __________________ 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

09-21-2013, 09:21 AM	#5
SnakeEyes User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: KY Posts: 5 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	better pic of the take down lever and underside of barrel. is the scuff looking area what you are referring to as an import mark? Attached Thumbnails

09-21-2013, 09:49 AM	#10
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	These Russian Capture Lugers sold recently for around $700. This one is in particularly nice condition, so may be worth $100 or $150 more than that. (I was typing as David posted above - our estimates are roughly the same)... If someone removed the import mark, I believe that is a violation of the ATF regulations and law. Take a good look over all the metal to see if there is an import stamp elsewhere. Use care when removing the grips. It would be odd for a military marked take down lever to be defaced on the bottom where your lever is. It might have been off a commercial Luger (which has it's numbers in that location). __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-21-2013, 10:54 PM	#12
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 398 Thanks: 102 Thanked 125 Times in 74 Posts	Definitely a Russian dip re-blue. Not the original sideplate - it has been ground down, poorly. The mag is nice. Could that be an importer stamp under the barrel where it is scratched off? I wouldn't worry about preserving it - just shoot it & clean it like any other gun. If it shoots good, I bet you could get $900 for it on gunbroker. - Geo __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

09-21-2013, 09:10 AM	#3
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	Your Luger is a 42 code(Mauser) dated 1939. It is a Russian capture piece that went through an armory where it received a dip blue and new grips(and replaced parts if necessary). The "x" on the frame is an indicator of previous Russian capture/arsenal rebuild. The magazine is a Mauser mag but it is not proper for 1939. It looks like there may be an importers mark stamped on underside of barrel. The takedown lever and the extractor appear to have had the numbers peened out but everything else looks pretty good. Most of these you see didn't fare so well and have been force matched with electro penciled numbers. I would disassemble it, clean it up and re-oil. You can release the firing pin gently by pulling slightly back on the toggle and then press the trigger while at the same time letting the toggle back down. If you are going to shoot it I would find a MecGar magazine and put the other one away. That mag can be worth up to a couple hundred bucks depending on overall condition.

09-21-2013, 09:38 AM	#8
SnakeEyes User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: KY Posts: 5 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	the inside of the barrel appears to be in excellent condition. what would your best guess be for the approximate value of this gun?

09-21-2013, 09:46 AM	#9
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	$750, give or take $100 depending on "stuff". dju

09-22-2013, 10:14 AM	#13
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,235 Thanks: 116 Thanked 706 Times in 368 Posts	Welcome to the forum, nice piece. Have fun shooting it and give us a range report. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

09-22-2013, 10:55 AM	#14
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Hi SnakeEyes, looks like a nice shooter! I will agree with SteveM on the production date. I believe December 1939 is a good estimate.

09-22-2013, 04:25 PM	#15
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Please note that the sideplate has also been scrubbed and renumbered.

09-23-2013, 04:39 AM	#16
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Your Luger was made by MAUSER in 1939. It was captured by the Red Army (cross) and like the most of the aptured weapons was refurbished all over. I think the magazine is wrong for that Luger. I would carefully check the barrel first and after changing the magazine I would use it as a nice shooter at the range. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

09-23-2013, 11:47 PM	#17
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 398 Thanks: 102 Thanked 125 Times in 74 Posts	Sergio, Why change the magazine? __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

09-24-2013, 06:37 AM	#18
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	If I were you I would be sorry to use that magazine, I'm sure you can find a newer one (MecGar) and keep the original one. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

09-24-2013, 06:02 PM	#19
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	The bases on those FXO magazines can be somewhat fragile.

09-25-2013, 11:46 PM	#20
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 398 Thanks: 102 Thanked 125 Times in 74 Posts	I knew the wood base mags are fragile but I didn't know the plastic ones are too. Thanks __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers