Unfired Luger???

[Dlxkey]

Newbie Luger owner and first time poster here.

Spent some time over the last couple of weeks going through the FAQ's and haven't really found anything definitive to crush my suspicion that this 1940 Mauser I found at Gunbroker has been fired VERY little. Seems too good to be true, however, so I submit the attached photo's for your inspection and feedback.
The pristine condition of the bolt face, feed ramp, and slides are what fire my suspicion. The rifling is equally pristine - but I didn't bother with a pic'.
I'm also especially curious about the grips, as they are essentially raw, with no finish - other than from the oil from my skin and some that's migrated from that applied to the metal. They appear to have the proper stamps - although only the "8" appears on the right grip. Looks like it was applied at an angle and wasn't whacked firmly enough for the "7" to make an impression - but that along with the raw finish makes me a little suspicious.
The bluing does have a nice, fine, even patina that's more easily visible in low, indirect light. This helps counter my lingering suspicions about it being a refurb'.

Please share your feelings with the group

[G.T.]

Hi! Looks great to me! It was probably proof & function tested at the factory, but other then that, looks like not fired to me! Not much if any, anyway?... The grips look light, but still right, as they used sap wood as well as heart wood and light Luger grips are not uncommon thru all Mauser manufacture.. Armorers spares, (late) are usually beech wood, and you can tell by the grain on the back..... Nice unit, I'm jealous!!! ... best to all, til...lat'r...GT

[HerrKaiser]

Welcome to the forum! From what I can see of the bluing in lower light it seems to be a fantastic looking piece. Nice get on a later luger. Only question I have since the lighting makes it hard to see, is the takedown lever strawed or blued like the rest of the frame?

[milesc2]

Nice one! Looks like you scored on GunBroker!

Just out of curiosity, how much wear do you see in the blueing where the toggle impacts the outside of the frame on recoil? (The area right above lanyard loop) Could you post a photo?
It should show some wear, just curious how much.

[DonVoigt]

Yours is for sure a "low mileage" piece.
But there are no "unfired" lugers as GT points out; not that it really makes any difference. JMHO

[tharpo]

The gap between the left grip and the safety lever makes me think the grips are not original to the gun.

[mrerick]

Nice looking Mauser Luger.

The grips could have been chemically stripped of original finish.

Show pictures of the backs of the grips.

Perhaps they are a lighter wood like beech?

Otherwise, it doesn't look like it's been messed with, and perhaps only has a bit of high edge wear.

[Dlxkey]

Originally Posted by HerrKaiser

Only question I have since the lighting makes it hard to see, is the takedown lever strawed or blued like the rest of the frame?

Oh yeah!...It does look like it could be either in that pic' huh!

It is blued

[Dlxkey]

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

...But there are no "unfired" lugers as GT points out; not that it really makes any difference. JMHO

Yeah I knew "Unfired" wasn't a proper description - But it makes a better headline than "Hardly Fired..." or "Barely Used..." etc.

"Fake News" ...It's in fashion now

[Dlxkey]

Originally Posted by milesc2

Nice one! Looks like you scored on GunBroker!

Just out of curiosity, how much wear do you see in the blueing where the toggle impacts the outside of the frame on recoil?

That wear actually seemed a bit out of proportion to that on the rest of the pistol...to me. ...But then again I am pretty ignorant to what's "normal".

See what you think:

[Dlxkey]

Originally Posted by tharpo

The gap between the left grip and the safety lever makes me think the grips are not original to the gun.

How about from this angle (?)

[Dlxkey]

Originally Posted by mrerick

...The grips could have been chemically stripped of original finish.

Show pictures of the backs of the grips.

That's sorta what I was suspicious of, and curious if anyone could tell me what an original, pristine finish (or lack thereof) would've been.
These babies are so raw, and the checkering so sharp, that the first couple days the web of my hand got a little irritated after fondling the gun.
After a couple of weeks of taking it out to admire it every night I noticed the oil in my skin was beginning to darken the wood. So now I avoid handling the gun by the grips, or wear a glove.
If they have been stripped - and therefore ruined - I would just as soon put something akin to the appropriate finish on them for protection. ...Until I find out I won't mess with them.

Here's the pic's:
Note that on the right side only the "8" appears - clocked at a 90dg angle to the "78" on the left grip (unusual?). Upon close inspection it's clear that the 8 was punched at an extreme angle. Makes me suspect (if the grips are original) that the "8" could've bottomed out before the "7" could make contact.

Tell me what you think:

[DavidJayUden]

It seems kind of odd but at that time in history even German efficiency failed and grips were not always marked as we would expect. Some were and some weren't. No good explanation, that's just how it was.
I can't tell that there was any pattern to the layout of the numbers, when there were any. Again sort of a random thing.
It may be just one of those things that has no rational explanation. Enjoy your Luger.
dju

[DonVoigt]

Right grip looks like a "66" to me.

[milesc2]

The "wear" you pointed out looks normal to me.
That's not the area I was referring to but that's OK.
It does demonstrate that this pistol has had more than a couple test rounds put through it. (in my opinion)

Unfortunately, I also think that right grip is not original to the pistol.
I agree with Don that it looks like a 66 stamp. Also the font of the numbers look different from the left grip.

Still, you have a very nice gun that was not used much and I would be proud to own it!

[HerrKaiser]

Also with some not so good news, The take-down lever being blued is not original as it should have been a straw finish. The lever being blued makes me think your luger has also been re-blued at some point and that is ruinous to collector value of the pistol. Still looks like a mighty fine piece to me, enjoy it!

[milesc2]

Take down lever should be blued.
My vote is the finish is completely original.
A really nice example.

[HerrKaiser]

Ah...I didnt realize that Muaser stopped strawing after 1937 since when they took over DWM in 1930 they did not stop the process immediately. Whoops.

[John Sabato]

IMHO

The finish appears original, however the yellow cast on the photos makes detail hard to see. Recommend photos taken outside on an overcast day... no flash.

The grips are authentic to the period. The grip with the two digits that matches the serial number is original... the other grip is a period replacement. The left grip fitting around the safetly lever is probably the result of shrinkage over the years... I say original. Not replacement.

The gun hasn't been fired "much"

and the parts should be blued not strawed in 1940...


NICE gun.

[Sergio Natali]

First and foremost I don't claim to be an expert, and photographs are not always a good indicator of what the actual finish looks like, but to me nothing seems to jump out as not being correct from those pictures, congrats on your very nice Luger.