Fresh meat with an inherited Luger needs identification help.

smithbm · 05-02-2007, 01:45 PM

Hello everyone. I recently inherited a luger from my father. I would appreciate it if you would help me learn more about its history. I have filled out the "Luger Identification Form" from the Technical Information section of this site. Here are the answers I came up with:

1. BYF followed by the last two digits of the SN

2. 1917

3. squared and knurled

4. not present

5. Present

6. 9mm

7. brown plastic

8. Safe is in the rear position with the word "GESICHERT"

9. On the right side of the chamber there is a small eagle and several other markings that I can't quite decipher.

10. 3.75"

11. 89XX (serial number)

12. "shark fin" blade front sight, "V-notch" rear sight

13. The magazine bottom plug appears to be aluminum marked with a 2 above the serial number 89XX

I have a luger holster, but it is stamped 1944 so I don't think it is the original. I'd estimate at least 95% of the bluing remains although it is a little faded. All serial numbers match including the magazine. The plastic grips are in very good condition and the bore is in very good condition.

I won't be able to post any pictures this week, but I should be able to in the near future. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Brownie · 05-02-2007, 03:48 PM

Hello and welcome Smithbm. Congrats on the new luger. To make a long story short, you will get a lot more help by posting photos. The general description would make me guess it is a Vopo rework. Is the pistol a uniform black color? As I stated, post pics and this group will know right away.

smithbm · 05-03-2007, 07:56 AM

Thanks for the reply. I'll try to post some pictures tonight.

smithbm · 05-06-2007, 09:09 PM

I'd like to know a little about the history as well as the value. It doesn't look to be in quite as good of shape as I originally thought.

There is an eagle stamp on the barrel that is identical to the one on the right side of the chamber.

Edward Tinker · 05-06-2007, 09:37 PM

smith, these have the "typical" east german grips, plus it is obviously a mismatch. The reason I say that is that although the toggle number is the same, byf equals the code for Mauser, and they did not exist in 1917, plus the other markings / proofs on the gun / right of the receiver are Erfurt, which ceased to exist in 1918.

Value would be around $500-$600, the holster another $50-$125, although it depends on who made it an when. I don't believe it is a luger holster, possibly a p38 (might be post war, and value would go down if it is).

Ed

smithbm · 05-07-2007, 11:58 AM

That can't be!

This was Hitler's personal Luger.

So at some point someone replaced the toggle with that of a mauser that had matching serial numbers? Would it be worth my time to track down a matching toggle? Any idea who would have used it originally? There are no ownership markings as far as I can tell.

Edward Tinker · 05-07-2007, 07:24 PM

I think that Hitler had a Rohm 22 ;>)

This was mostly likely a east german import, so after WW2 it then served the DDR, they "matched" it. I would keep it as is, because its history continued after WW2 and served in the communist gov't.

Ed

Chuckc · 05-08-2007, 06:09 PM

In your pictures, your luger is not assembled properly. Looks like the toggle link is not matched to the toggle spring.

smithbm · 05-08-2007, 11:30 PM

Yeah, I took it apart and have been having an awful time trying to get it put back together. There must be a trick to it.

MFC · 05-08-2007, 11:45 PM

This should help.
http://www.dropshots.com/day.php?use...0&ctime=001105
Mike C.

Ron Smith · 05-09-2007, 11:05 AM

Ben,

VOPO Lugers are gaining in collectability in their own catagory. Some collectors specialize in communist block weapons. I would leave it as is. The toggle was probably renumbered by the Russians before it was issued to the East Germans. The plastic "Bulls Eye" grips are EG issue.

policeluger · 05-09-2007, 12:02 PM

Give me a call, home most days, 760-375-5703....I'll talk you through putting it together....

smithbm · 05-14-2007, 07:18 AM

I got her reassembled the other night thanks to everyone's help. That video really helped. I wasn't inserting the magazine so the toggle wouldn't lock back. Thanks.

05-02-2007, 01:45 PM	#1
smithbm User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Franklin, IN Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Fresh meat with an inherited Luger needs identification help. Hello everyone. I recently inherited a luger from my father. I would appreciate it if you would help me learn more about its history. I have filled out the "Luger Identification Form" from the Technical Information section of this site. Here are the answers I came up with: 1. BYF followed by the last two digits of the SN 2. 1917 3. squared and knurled 4. not present 5. Present 6. 9mm 7. brown plastic 8. Safe is in the rear position with the word "GESICHERT" 9. On the right side of the chamber there is a small eagle and several other markings that I can't quite decipher. 10. 3.75" 11. 89XX (serial number) 12. "shark fin" blade front sight, "V-notch" rear sight 13. The magazine bottom plug appears to be aluminum marked with a 2 above the serial number 89XX I have a luger holster, but it is stamped 1944 so I don't think it is the original. I'd estimate at least 95% of the bluing remains although it is a little faded. All serial numbers match including the magazine. The plastic grips are in very good condition and the bore is in very good condition. I won't be able to post any pictures this week, but I should be able to in the near future. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

05-06-2007, 09:09 PM	#4
smithbm User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Franklin, IN Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Finally got pictures! I'd like to know a little about the history as well as the value. It doesn't look to be in quite as good of shape as I originally thought. There is an eagle stamp on the barrel that is identical to the one on the right side of the chamber.

05-07-2007, 07:24 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,965 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,594 Times in 2,116 Posts	I think that Hitler had a Rohm 22 ;>) This was mostly likely a east german import, so after WW2 it then served the DDR, they "matched" it. I would keep it as is, because its history continued after WW2 and served in the communist gov't. 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

05-08-2007, 06:09 PM	#8
Chuckc User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cave Creek, AZ Posts: 68 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In your pictures, your luger is not assembled properly. Looks like the toggle link is not matched to the toggle spring. __________________ Art in metal and wood

05-08-2007, 11:45 PM	#10
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	This should help. http://www.dropshots.com/day.php?use...0&ctime=001105 Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

05-02-2007, 03:48 PM	#2
Brownie User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia Posts: 42 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hello and welcome Smithbm. Congrats on the new luger. To make a long story short, you will get a lot more help by posting photos. The general description would make me guess it is a Vopo rework. Is the pistol a uniform black color? As I stated, post pics and this group will know right away.

05-03-2007, 07:56 AM	#3
smithbm User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Franklin, IN Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the reply. I'll try to post some pictures tonight.

05-06-2007, 09:37 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,965 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,594 Times in 2,116 Posts	smith, these have the "typical" east german grips, plus it is obviously a mismatch. The reason I say that is that although the toggle number is the same, byf equals the code for Mauser, and they did not exist in 1917, plus the other markings / proofs on the gun / right of the receiver are Erfurt, which ceased to exist in 1918. Value would be around $500-$600, the holster another $50-$125, although it depends on who made it an when. I don't believe it is a luger holster, possibly a p38 (might be post war, and value would go down if it is). Ed

05-07-2007, 11:58 AM	#6
smithbm User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Franklin, IN Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That can't be! This was Hitler's personal Luger. So at some point someone replaced the toggle with that of a mauser that had matching serial numbers? Would it be worth my time to track down a matching toggle? Any idea who would have used it originally? There are no ownership markings as far as I can tell.

05-08-2007, 11:30 PM	#9
smithbm User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Franklin, IN Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yeah, I took it apart and have been having an awful time trying to get it put back together. There must be a trick to it.

05-09-2007, 11:05 AM	#11
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Ben, VOPO Lugers are gaining in collectability in their own catagory. Some collectors specialize in communist block weapons. I would leave it as is. The toggle was probably renumbered by the Russians before it was issued to the East Germans. The plastic "Bulls Eye" grips are EG issue. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

05-09-2007, 12:02 PM	#12
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Give me a call, home most days, 760-375-5703....I'll talk you through putting it together....

05-14-2007, 07:18 AM	#13
smithbm User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Franklin, IN Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I got her reassembled the other night thanks to everyone's help. That video really helped. I wasn't inserting the magazine so the toggle wouldn't lock back. Thanks.