New to Forum, shooter question

snider · 12-15-2008, 03:03 PM

Hi all-
Yes, I am a newbie. Have been intrigued by the Luger for a while. Finally purchased a byf 41 with all matching on the gun for $2K. It has the fxo P08 magazine with the 37 inspector mark and a black plastic bottom. I think that is "correct" for the gun. Also found a "code" holster dated 41 on eBay of all places for $225. Got an unmarked tool for $35 from a local shop who knows collectibles. Anyway, an OK little rig.

Here is my "next step" question: I have found a 42 byf with mataching except for the sideplate and magazine. It is a "bring back" with nice "patina". The shop wants $1,000 for it. Another shop has an all matching except magazine, but it has been reblued, looks great, for $800. My question is which gun makes for a better purchase for a "shooter"?

Be patient, everyone, I'm sure I'll step in it soon enough.

Snider

Edward Tinker · 12-15-2008, 03:08 PM

Snider, welcome to the forum. Not sure about the patience remark; we are a fairly easy going crowd and don't usually lambast anyone.

If you are in Lexington, then I assume it is the shop up the stairs

The sideplate is the major issue, magazines are not found matching too often. Still, I would go for the sideplate one, as reblued, is always reblued; unless the patinia is "pronounced"... It depends on if you want pretty or history???

However, sideplates are the most likely to cause a problem in a 'shooter' if replaced (not always, but they are the weak link).

I think both prices are a bit high for a "shooter"...

Ed

Ron Smith · 12-15-2008, 03:20 PM

Hi,

I would go for the original with mis-matched side plate every time, it's worth the extra bucks. As Ed says, re-blued is re-blued forever. And who knows, you may luck onto a matching side plate.

Ron

snider · 12-15-2008, 03:24 PM

Thanks, guys. Maybe I'll just make them an offer. Of course, I suppose I could be on the lookout for a "matching" 2-digit sideplate and find a good gunsmith?

OLDJARHEAD · 12-15-2008, 03:37 PM

Snider, welcome to the forum. I am sure with cash you could a lot better than a grand. Money talks. Mike

Lugerdoc · 12-17-2008, 10:12 AM

Snider, On Mauser luger sideplates, you don't only have to find one with the correct die set last 2 digits of the serial on the outside, but there is also a 2 digit number on the inside that is usually one digit off from the first 2 digits of the serial. In the price range that you mentioned, you may want to consider my all matching 1938 PO8 #9149i with correct, but unmatched "i" block mag in the For Sale section. Lugerdoc

snider · 12-18-2008, 10:00 AM

Thanks, L-doc. Where is it? Maybe I'm thick, but I couldn't find it on the site.
Snider

Edward Tinker · 12-18-2008, 12:10 PM

easy way is to click on his name, then show all statistics, then

Find all threads started by Lugerdoc

or go to the For Sale / Trader section and go through looking for the original poster which would be lugerdoc....

snider · 12-18-2008, 01:31 PM

Thanks, found it.
Snider

lugerholsterrepair · 12-18-2008, 10:45 PM

Snider, Patience is a virtue. Ed is correct..it's a tad high and the mismatched plate is a deal killer. Hang onto your dough untill the right one comes along.
Lugerdoc is correct too...you will NEVER find the correct sideplate.
Good Luck with the new addiction and welcome!

Jerry Burney

snider · 12-19-2008, 02:36 PM

How about an opinion from the experts? An S42 code Luger from 1937 with a mismatched DWM toggle. Other numbers apparently match. As a shooter for $850. Apparently a bring back in that condition when originally brought home. Deal or no deal? Does it help me to replace the toggle later with a Mauser mfg?

Edward Tinker · 12-19-2008, 03:13 PM

Replacing the toggle with a mauser toggle still makes it a shooter, and "might" make it more valuable to someone.

It is very possibly a bring back in that condition, but I have been told that "this was grandpa's, he was in WW2, so he must have brought it back". And it has import markings on it....

So, although the story is nice, buy the gun, not the story.

Also, use patience, when going to small gun shows or local shops, it seems like lugers are rare, they aren't, you just have to keep your eyes open.

I thought there was a shooter or two for sale here on the forum for les than that? (not by me)

Ed

snider · 12-19-2008, 03:16 PM

Thanks for the quick reply. The thing is I'll have to pay about $60 for shipping if I buy online (probably $30 shipping and $30 FFL receiving). Or I'll pay $51 in KY state tax. So does this sound pretty reasonable or keep looking?

Snider

Lugerdoc · 12-20-2008, 10:02 AM

Snider, Depending on condition, $850 sounds a bit high for a mismatched shooter PO8. If in exc original condition and all other parts match except the toggle assy, you might be able to make out if you can find the correct style numbered S/42 toggle assy in the $250 range (less with your DWM assy in trade). I have a few in stock if you care to send me the numbers that you seek. Lugerdoc

snider · 12-22-2008, 07:58 AM

Thanks again. Will advise.
Snider

12-15-2008, 03:03 PM	#1
snider User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lexington, KY, USA Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New to Forum, shooter question Hi all- Yes, I am a newbie. Have been intrigued by the Luger for a while. Finally purchased a byf 41 with all matching on the gun for $2K. It has the fxo P08 magazine with the 37 inspector mark and a black plastic bottom. I think that is "correct" for the gun. Also found a "code" holster dated 41 on eBay of all places for $225. Got an unmarked tool for $35 from a local shop who knows collectibles. Anyway, an OK little rig. Here is my "next step" question: I have found a 42 byf with mataching except for the sideplate and magazine. It is a "bring back" with nice "patina". The shop wants $1,000 for it. Another shop has an all matching except magazine, but it has been reblued, looks great, for $800. My question is which gun makes for a better purchase for a "shooter"? Be patient, everyone, I'm sure I'll step in it soon enough. Snider

12-15-2008, 03:08 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	Snider, welcome to the forum. Not sure about the patience remark; we are a fairly easy going crowd and don't usually lambast anyone. If you are in Lexington, then I assume it is the shop up the stairs The sideplate is the major issue, magazines are not found matching too often. Still, I would go for the sideplate one, as reblued, is always reblued; unless the patinia is "pronounced"... It depends on if you want pretty or history??? However, sideplates are the most likely to cause a problem in a 'shooter' if replaced (not always, but they are the weak link). I think both prices are a bit high for a "shooter"... 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

12-15-2008, 03:20 PM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi, I would go for the original with mis-matched side plate every time, it's worth the extra bucks. As Ed says, re-blued is re-blued forever. And who knows, you may luck onto a matching side plate. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

12-17-2008, 10:12 AM	#6
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Snider, On Mauser luger sideplates, you don't only have to find one with the correct die set last 2 digits of the serial on the outside, but there is also a 2 digit number on the inside that is usually one digit off from the first 2 digits of the serial. In the price range that you mentioned, you may want to consider my all matching 1938 PO8 #9149i with correct, but unmatched "i" block mag in the For Sale section. Lugerdoc __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

12-18-2008, 10:45 PM	#10
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	Snider, Patience is a virtue. Ed is correct..it's a tad high and the mismatched plate is a deal killer. Hang onto your dough untill the right one comes along. Lugerdoc is correct too...you will NEVER find the correct sideplate. Good Luck with the new addiction and welcome! Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

12-15-2008, 03:24 PM	#4
snider User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lexington, KY, USA Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, guys. Maybe I'll just make them an offer. Of course, I suppose I could be on the lookout for a "matching" 2-digit sideplate and find a good gunsmith?

12-15-2008, 03:37 PM	#5
OLDJARHEAD User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 299 Thanks: 18 Thanked 19 Times in 9 Posts	Snider, welcome to the forum. I am sure with cash you could a lot better than a grand. Money talks. Mike

12-18-2008, 10:00 AM	#7
snider User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lexington, KY, USA Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, L-doc. Where is it? Maybe I'm thick, but I couldn't find it on the site. Snider

12-18-2008, 12:10 PM	#8
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	easy way is to click on his name, then show all statistics, then Find all threads started by Lugerdoc or go to the For Sale / Trader section and go through looking for the original poster which would be lugerdoc....

12-18-2008, 01:31 PM	#9
snider User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lexington, KY, USA Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Thanks, found it. Snider

12-19-2008, 02:36 PM	#11
snider User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lexington, KY, USA Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How about an opinion from the experts? An S42 code Luger from 1937 with a mismatched DWM toggle. Other numbers apparently match. As a shooter for $850. Apparently a bring back in that condition when originally brought home. Deal or no deal? Does it help me to replace the toggle later with a Mauser mfg?

12-19-2008, 03:13 PM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	Replacing the toggle with a mauser toggle still makes it a shooter, and "might" make it more valuable to someone. It is very possibly a bring back in that condition, but I have been told that "this was grandpa's, he was in WW2, so he must have brought it back". And it has import markings on it.... So, although the story is nice, buy the gun, not the story. Also, use patience, when going to small gun shows or local shops, it seems like lugers are rare, they aren't, you just have to keep your eyes open. I thought there was a shooter or two for sale here on the forum for les than that? (not by me) Ed

12-19-2008, 03:16 PM	#13
snider User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lexington, KY, USA Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the quick reply. The thing is I'll have to pay about $60 for shipping if I buy online (probably $30 shipping and $30 FFL receiving). Or I'll pay $51 in KY state tax. So does this sound pretty reasonable or keep looking? Snider

12-20-2008, 10:02 AM	#14
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Snider, Depending on condition, $850 sounds a bit high for a mismatched shooter PO8. If in exc original condition and all other parts match except the toggle assy, you might be able to make out if you can find the correct style numbered S/42 toggle assy in the $250 range (less with your DWM assy in trade). I have a few in stock if you care to send me the numbers that you seek. Lugerdoc __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

12-22-2008, 07:58 AM	#15
snider User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lexington, KY, USA Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks again. Will advise. Snider