researching WWII luger

[buch22]

My father brought a luger back from WWII--he didn't say how he acquired it. Since my father's death last year I am helping my mother deal with my father's things. We would like to know something about this lugar...we are not sure if we want to keep it in the family or sell it. It is in very good condition...it has been in a safe for about 60 years...It has the ERFURT symbol with crown and a serial number 4311. The same number is on all the parts I can see, including the magazine...which still has bullets in it. It seems to have two dates, 1920 and 1916.

So, I'm interested in whatever anyone can tell me about this gun...I have looked at the general information on the site....but since this is not something I know anything about I'm not sure I am interpretting it correctly. I am also interested in general value and also how we would go about selling this if we decide to do so.

Thank you. Nancy

[lugerholsterrepair]

Nancy..Welcome to the Luger Forum! To determine a value it will be necessary to see some photo's. Vintage collectable pistols are like coins, they must be graded on remaining finish. The numbers placed on every part on this pistol must match to be in the high dollar range, if even one number is off it will drop the value from a collector piece to a shooter.
Jerry Burney

[buch22]

Thanks. I will try to get some pictures. I'm not sure about checking all numbers...I assume that requires taking it apart which seems a bit intimidating.....if I do take it apart, anything that I need to know--i.e., pitfalls or things to watch for?

[Edward Tinker]

Nancy, welcome to the forum. If you use www.lugerforum.com you will see areas on the left you can click on, one is technical area and has take down instructions.

Mainly what you are looking for is the last two of the serial number on most parts.

A trick, the "take down lever", the part that looks like it can be rotated down on the left side, ENSURE you have the barrel pushed down on something or it won't start to turn and forcing it can break it off.

Taking apart is not as hard as sometimes putting it back together.


Also, prior to taking it apart, it was common for GI's to chrome or nickle their guns, if that has happened, then its value is only around $400-$600, so don't bother taking it apart. If "blued", then that is easier to tell.


ed

[John Sabato]

First of all welcome to the Lugerforum.

Your father's Luger will be worth at least $500 if it is in shootable condition and has not been modified by your father or any other person since it came back from WW2.

For a more precise estimate, clear sharp focus photographs of the top, both sides, and the front of the frame above the trigger guard will have to be made available by posting them on this forum. The photo upload link is at the top of each page. You must upload photos one at a time. Copy the URL completely and then paste the URL into one of your future postings.

Posting in this forum is normally for postings related to operation of the Lugerforum and messages to the administrators so I will be moving this entire message thread to the Military P-08 forum for further comments.

If you have difficulty with posting any photos, ask here and someone will help you. Disassembly is not all that difficult, and there are videos available online for free that can show you how to do that if you need them, again, just ask.

But before I sign off, let me add a personal sentiment. That Luger must have meant a great deal to your father for him to have kept it for over 60 years. Once it is gone, you can never get it back. Even if you have no personal interest in firearms, one of his descendents may someday have an interest in firearms, or his personal history and activities during the war.

Imagine how you might feel for that person to ask you if he brought back any souveniers from his service, only to be told that he did bring back a German Luger pistol, but after he kept it for 60 years it was sold to someone who is not in the family...

Many would consider that Luger a family heirloom, including me, but again that is a matter of opinion and everybody has one. I hope you can accept this comment in the spirit it was offered. I have known many who have regretted doing exactly what you and your mother are contemplating.

kind regards,

John Sabato

[John Sabato]

The Luger has served in both World Wars. 1918 is the date it was manufactured. 1920 is the year that the new German government took accountability for guns left over from the first world war and marked such guns with the 1920 date to identify them as Government property... Erfurt was a military arsenal (rather than a commercial gun manufacturer pressed into service for the war effort) and is the manufacturer of the gun. I hope this has been helpful.

Should you decide that you still want to sell the Luger... you can offer it here in the For Sale forum. Procedures for doing it legally can be explained should that be what you decide to do.

To disassemble it: FIRST make sure it is unloaded... the rest of the procedure is HERE:

http://www.lugerforum.com/disassembly-1.html

(Step 4 SHOULD read to get the GRIPs off... not the safety catch.)

[Mark A]

Nancy,
If you or anyone else decide to fire the luger (how could one resist?), you should not use the ammunition that has been with it for 60 years as it could be corrosive (might even be collectible).
I share the opinion with others here that this is a part of your family history and as such has value beyond what you might sell it for.

[Aaron]

Nancy, do not fire it as there is no practical reason to do so. This is a collectible and should be treated carefully and with respect. It would be best if you could consult with an experienced Luger collector and have him examine and appraise the pistol for you. We have such expert forum members located all over the country and there is almost definitely one who lives near you. You should let us know in what part of the country you live.

[Mark A]

No, it's true, if practicality is the goal, then you ought not shoot it. Or eat ice cream, read comics, or kiss people.
Better to get the best price for it and put the money toward energy efficient windows or sturdy shoes.

[Edward Tinker]

Mark, i think I understand your point. but if you shoot a collectable and screw up the firing pin, or the grips, or any other numbered parts, it can go from a $1500 gun to a shooter at $600.


Best not to do that? buy a shooter luger instead.

[Mark A]

OK, Yoy guys are right. (chin on chest and scuffing my toe) I would not want Nancy to regret having shot the luger. Edward, I'm sorry I made you say ****.

[supersamn]

Nancy.......I'm a USMC armorer for 8 years.......if you know the "GUN".... go head and fire it.....gun's life is made for "SHOOT" not just display.... I have 1916 DWM., and 1951 SKS rifle. i'm cleaning and fire it almost every week, feel's good.......TV is for watch it.....Gun is for shoot it......some one( gun smith) look thur your luger first,,,,, enjoy your pistol.......

thanks

sam USMC 2111 Armorer

[Edward Tinker]

Originally posted by Mark A
OK, Yoy guys are right. (chin on chest and scuffing my toe) I would not want Nancy to regret having shot the luger. Edward, I'm sorry I made you say ****.

I changed it, I re-read what I wrote and said, dang, that was rude. So, my apoligies to you!



Ed

[saxman]

Nancy; First make the gun safe. 1) press the magazine release button on the left side behind the trigger and remove the magazine. 2) hold the gun out in front of you pointed in a safe direction - grasp the two big knobs on top and pull the action sharply back, which should eject any round in the chamber. Do it again and hold it open to visually confirm no ammunition in the chamber.
You can strip all ammunition from the magazine by just pushing each round forward until it pops out. Then push the unloaded magazine back into the pistol until it locks with a click. You can then pull the action back once more and it should remain open when you release the knobs (if gun equipped with a 'hold-open' added after manufacture).
In this way the gun is obviously safe should you wish to take it to others for evaluation or cleaning/oiling.

[buch22]

Hi, I wrote a response and somehow got a "you're not logged on" message..so I'm not sure if the response went out. In case it didn't, THANK YOU all for your help and support. I printed out the instructions for making the gun safe...which I will pass on to my husband who is much better at such things. I don't know what we'll do with the luger...I'd like to know more about it before I decide. I don't think anyone in the family is a collector and it seems a shame to keep it in the safe for another 60 years...

Anyway, I will try to get a photo up soon. Thanks again to you all...Nancy

[Edward Tinker]

You're welcome nancy. And although we are all mostly colelctors here, differenet things, mean different things to folks. I also like old depression ware and pick it up when I have the chance. My son will probably keep a piece or two, and get rid of the rest.

There is no reason to feel guilty about selling the luger if it isn't something "historically" important to you. I assume you have other things that you got from your dad and other folks that DO mean something to you.

just another opinion....


Ed

[Navy]

If you want to shoot it, FIRST buy a toggle train off e-bay. Replace the original with it and bang away as 99% of parts breakages occur in some TT component.

Tom A

[lugerholsterrepair]

Nancy, Sam the USMC Armorer is giving you bad advice. He is a shooter and apparently a novice collector. You should do your best to preserve this piece of history. You are only a caretaker after all. It has fallen to you to caretake this and get it into the hands of someone who will continue to do so.
I appreciate the fact that you seem concerned enough to seek advice about it.
Good Luck!
Jerry Burney

[supersamn]

Nancy: lugerholsterrepair is 99% right ..... some classic car is park all the time...some car is weekend drive!!!..... I'm shooter.... but when storage my guns i'm make sure it's clean and heavy lube apply all my guns...specially my luger and sks....thanks

USMC 2111
sam