Lugers in America?

[nukem556]

This is probably an unanswerable question, and probably asked before....but....has anyone tried to estimate what percentage of total Luger production ended up in the hands of American shooters and collectors? I'd tend to guess a fairly high number....50-60%

[drbuster]

Nukem556, don't forget all the WW1 and WW2 bringbacks. Considering those plus all the commercial models, I would say you are about right with your estimate.

[Edward Tinker]

Tens of thousands were destroyed in the wars and then tens of thousands (probably several hundred thousand) were destroyed by the allied commission, there are facts on them destroying many.

Same in ww2, many were brought home, but many were destroyed by fire, tanks, etc after the war and were turned in?

Then we have heard the stories of thousands being dumped by our allies, the Brits, Canadians, Aussies, etc that weren't allowed to bring them home and were dumped overboard. Let alone the tens of thousands that were used by the east Germans and then the ones hoarded by the Russians... Lots of those came to the USA, but not all...

Commercially, we are talking less than, what 150 to 200k and a good percentage of them went to the army and police (at least 60k).

I am thinking slightly lower ???

[lugersrkewl]

and how many have been reblued , buffed , nickel plated etc.

[Patronen]

Originally Posted by lugersrkewl

and how many have been reblued , buffed , nickel plated etc.

I don't know that, but I can tell you 90% were taken from a Nazi Officer

[tx_oil]

Originally Posted by Patronen

I don't know that, but I can tell you 90% were taken from a Nazi Officer

I thought that ALL of them were taken from Hitler's bunker???

[Olle]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Tens of thousands were destroyed in the wars and then tens of thousands (probably several hundred thousand) were destroyed by the allied commission, there are facts on them destroying many.

Same in ww2, many were brought home, but many were destroyed by fire, tanks, etc after the war and were turned in?

Then we have heard the stories of thousands being dumped by our allies, the Brits, Canadians, Aussies, etc that weren't allowed to bring them home and were dumped overboard. Let alone the tens of thousands that were used by the east Germans and then the ones hoarded by the Russians... Lots of those came to the USA, but not all...

Commercially, we are talking less than, what 150 to 200k and a good percentage of them went to the army and police (at least 60k).

I am thinking slightly lower ???

You just have to look at pictures from WWII, where Germans surrendered and threw their guns in large piles. A lot of these were destroyed, buried, thrown in lakes etc, because it just wasn't worth the time and effort to sort them, clean them, oil them, crate them and find them a new home. I'm sure a lot of these were't even accounted for, it was easier to dispose of them right there on site instead of filling out the paperwork. I would have been extremely happy to do it and I'm sure that the rest of the (almost) 10,000 forum members would line up to help, but it would still be an enormous undertaking.

If you're looking at the total production, it's obvious that there's only a few percent left. Maybe not even that, but exactly how many is anybody's guess.

[wlyon]

For what it's worth. I have put this on before. It was dreamed up many years ago by some of us luger collectors. "35% lost in war, 20% destroyed after war, 10% other countries (Russia etc.), Of the 35% remaining 10% are matching and 95% or better. " Matching does not include mags. which would be a very low figure. Bill

[skeeter4206]

Wow! Thats interesting.

[nukem556]

I probably didn't phrase my question right.....I was thinking more towards of all the Lugers that STILL exist, how many are here?

[lugersrkewl]

10% other countries (Russia etc.),remaining American - Of the 35% remaining 10% are matching and 95% or better. " Matching does not include mags. which would be a very low figure. Bill