New member looking for information

[Sopmedic]

Hello all, my name is Adam. First I hope I'm in the right place for this question, if not can someone point me to the right forum and help a brother out? Much appreciated and here's the "short" version of my inquiry....

I recently inherited what I believe is a WW2 era Luger from my grandfather after he passed away. He told me the entire story on how he got it (WW2 veteran) and where he's kept it all these years. The gun is in impeccable condition and has numerous markings all over it as well as its original holster with a second magazine in the holster. My question, actually questions are how do I research the history of this gun, is there value to it, and what is the best way to preserve it? It's only seen the light of day maybe a handful of times..... Any help would be greatly appreciated and some very curious family members would be pleased!!

[mrerick]

Hi Adam, and welcome to the forum.

We can certainly help you here.

Some initial things to consider.

A Luger is considered collectible if it is all matching and in original factory state (finish, etc). The closer to that, the better. Mismatched parts on most Lugers make it a "shooter" unless it's particularly rare or sought after.

For that reason, never consider shooting a collectible Luger since breaking parts (which happens regularly) will reduce its historic and financial value quite a bit.

If you disassemble your Luger, be particularly careful about the left grip panel. Many of these get broken up by the safety lever. You just barely lift it off the screw area before sliding it down and away from the top of the frame.

Do not store it or the magazines or the tool inside the holster. This can cause corrosion due to the tanning process chemicals that may be residual in the leather and moisture it can attract. Keep them separately.

As mentioned, pictures in closeup and sharp focus are needed to help you identify things. Take them in shaded sunlight, and don't use the flash. Use the closeup setting on a digital camera, and post them with at least 1024 pixels across. Use a tripod and the self timer to eliminate camera shake. Plain backgrounds are best.

One member here collects "bring back" stories. Consider contributing your story to him. Also check your grandfather's papers to see if he kept the paperwork authorizing him to return to the USA with his war relic.

Many members here have studied Lugers and their markings for many years. You've come to the right place. One warning, Lugers can be addictive.

[Sopmedic]

Thanks for the repies, I will post pictures and the story that goes with it tonight when I get home.

[Edward Tinker]

Sounds good, if any documentation exists with the story, see my signature line below

[Sopmedic]

Well as far as paperwork goes for the story I honestly don't think so as my grandfather passed away about a year ago but the story he always told us is as follows:

My grandfather served in the 12th armored division under Patton. During WW2 they entered a town (I believe in Germany but I don't recall 100% sadly) and were ordered to clear several houses by going door to door. My grandfather said he was "about to knock on the door to this one home when suddenly the door opened, a gentlemen who was very nervous said something in another language and handed him a towel which was being used to cover something". The man then Closed the door and that was all to the interaction. My grandfather was standing there in disbelief and looked down to see this holster with the Luger inside. (Pics to follow) my grandfather looked around in disbelief and brought it back to his tank. He says he has had it ever since. I've only seen it once or twice growing up and until recently due to him passing have been able to really look at it in depth.

So after doing some limited research (I am not a gun enthusiast but I do own several) I found this sight with the hopes that someone can give me a little history on the gun to really satisfy my own curiosity? So any help would be fantastic!!

There's several marking on the gun and I believe a date of manufacture. Also all of the numbers match each other including the two magazines. There are some very small insignias on one side that I cannot make out to well. Again any help would be great!

[Sopmedic]

other pics of holster

[alanint]

You are very lucky in that you own a rare, all-matching, original finish, nice condition pistol and two correct, matching magazine combination. The pistol is WW1, not WW2.

The only odd thing is the World War Two holster the magazines and pistol came in, (is there a tool in the holster flap)?

It would be a simple matter to obtain a correct, World War One holster and correct tool for the holster flap and have a correct, complete World War One "Rig". Collector's would be very interested in this.

I value it, with a correct holster and tool at over $2,500.

[Sopmedic]

there is a tool in the flap of the holster. I took it out and it's in one of the pictures

[Sopmedic]

Thank you for the quick reply! I was wondering if it was rare to have two matching magazines for the gun.

I can tell you it's been in this holster since the day my grandfather got it and was only taken out a handful of times. Do any of the markings on the gun have a specific meaning? I looked thru the markings page on this sight and cannot find an exact match except for one.

What kind of condition would a collector consider this?

[alanint]

Originally Posted by Sopmedic

there is a tool in the flap of the holster. I took it out and it's in one of the pictures

Please share any marks that are on the tool. This will help determine if it is WW1 or WW2.

[mrerick]

Hi Adam,

This Luger would be considered very collectible. As mentioned, it looks like it's in very good condition, with two matching magazines.

You need to carefully determine if all the small numbered parts match the pistol. They most likely do, but it needs to be verified. You'll find disassembly and assembly advice on this site.

As I mentioned before, don't store it in the holster - it's lucky it made it all these years without damage.

I would never fire it. The risk of breaking a part is too high. This on an all matching Luger with two matched magazines would be tragic. This gun is in too nice a condition. I would estimate it at 90% from the photos.

Get and post a closeup picture of the tool and the mark on the tool.

Don't do anything to the holster to try and "correct" the condition. It could be refreshed to keep it from drying out, but you don't want to do anything to change or damage it. I have used products like Lexol, but all this is controversial.

It may be wise to very gently clean and oil the grips. Don't do this unless you have the right finishing experience. They look dry and something (possibly mold) appears on the surface in some photos.

For a Luger issued early in WW-I to make it through both wars in this condition is very unusual. The straw looks close to 100%. Finish looks very good. This could have well been retained illegally by the German family after WW-I, and the holster acquired at the beginning of WW-II from a field pickup or some connection to the military.

Marc

[Don M]

Originally Posted by alanint

It would be a simple matter to obtain a correct, World War One holster and correct tool for the holster flap and have a correct, complete World War One "Rig". Collector's would be very interested in this.

There are different definitions of "correct." I consider this holster to be correct since you have provenance that it was paired with the pistol in service. It is part of the rig's history. Replacing it with a WWI holster would amount to throwing away part of its history as well as your family's history.