Need advice on an estimated value.

MikeG · 02-23-2002, 09:27 PM

My first post on this board so here goes...

I need some help with putting a value on a Luger I just got in a trade.

It's a 1913 Erfurt with a 3-digit s/n (614)so it's an early gun.I've taken it down and all of the numbers match (except for the mag and I can't locate a number on the grips which are in fair condition).All of the proofing is correct right down to the grip screws which have small proof marks.The overall condition is 80-85%of the original finish with the strawed parts at about 50%.The bore in really nice and fairly bright with no pitting or dark spots.There are no unit markings on the grip strap.The top of the toggle assembly is actually a real nice 90% of the original finish.

Any advice on an approximate value would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

Dok · 02-23-2002, 10:47 PM

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the Luger Forum. I'll let the experts venture a guess as to the value, my rough guess would be about $900. You might want to check the serial number again, there should be a small cursive letter after or below the serial number on the front of the frame. This letter is an integral part pf the serial number.

The germans produced Lugers in runs of 10,000. The first run would be 1 to 10000, then they would start over again with 1 followed by the small letter "a" and go to 10000a, then start over agin with the small letter "b" and so on.

If your Luger has no letter then it is indeed an early issue as you suggest. If on the other hand there is a small letter with the serial number that will indicate which month of 1913 the Luger was made.

Sounds like a nice piece, remember "don't fire it" even if that bore looks like glass. Hope this helps.

Dok (Webmeister)

MikeG · 02-24-2002, 12:28 AM

I took a closer loser look at the serial number but can find no letter stamped anywhere around the s/n.Only the serial number itself (#614).

Mike

Marvin · 02-24-2002, 08:23 AM

Mike,

There were approx. 23,000 Erfurt Lugers produced in 1913 and these were in the "no letter", "a" & "b" letter suffix range. So, your pistol is correct and it is a very early 1913 production.

Since your Luger is an early 1913 Luger, your pistol probably does not have the stock lug on the rear of the frame, unreleived sear bar, and no holdopen, but at soem point the sear may have been releived and a holdopen added by the armory. If you have a holdopen, look on the right side of the frame and you will see where a little pin was added and a very small stamp was added below this pin. This indicates that the holdopen was added at Erfurt after it was originally made. The sear bars were sometimes relieved and sometimes left as-is.

Sounds like you have a nice WWI Imperial Luger and the value Dok suggested sounds about right for a dealer asking price. If you are intetested, there is a book by Jan Still, "Imperial Lugers" which gives a lot of detail and information on the WWI Lugers. These usually sell for approx. $60. There is a link to Jan Still's books in the Link & Resources section of the Forum.

Marvin

MikeG · 02-24-2002, 11:49 AM

Thanks Marvin...I took a close look at the frame and cannot find a pin, so I assume at this point that there is no hold open.

Thanks for the advice,

Mike

Dok · 02-24-2002, 01:01 PM

You can test the holdopen feature by pulling back the toggle with an empty mag in place and cocking the pistol. If the toggle will not stay back, chances are it has no holdopen. If on the other hand it does stay back, then it has a holdopen. To release the pressure on the firing pin, pull the toggle back, and while holding it back squeeze the trigger and allow the toggle to go forward while squeezing the trigger. This will save you from having to "dry fire" your Luger.

Dok

02-23-2002, 09:27 PM	#1
MikeG New User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Need advice on an estimated value. My first post on this board so here goes... I need some help with putting a value on a Luger I just got in a trade. It's a 1913 Erfurt with a 3-digit s/n (614)so it's an early gun.I've taken it down and all of the numbers match (except for the mag and I can't locate a number on the grips which are in fair condition).All of the proofing is correct right down to the grip screws which have small proof marks.The overall condition is 80-85%of the original finish with the strawed parts at about 50%.The bore in really nice and fairly bright with no pitting or dark spots.There are no unit markings on the grip strap.The top of the toggle assembly is actually a real nice 90% of the original finish. Any advice on an approximate value would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

02-23-2002, 10:47 PM	#2
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Need advice on an estimated value. Hi Mike, Welcome to the Luger Forum. I'll let the experts venture a guess as to the value, my rough guess would be about $900. You might want to check the serial number again, there should be a small cursive letter after or below the serial number on the front of the frame. This letter is an integral part pf the serial number. The germans produced Lugers in runs of 10,000. The first run would be 1 to 10000, then they would start over again with 1 followed by the small letter "a" and go to 10000a, then start over agin with the small letter "b" and so on. If your Luger has no letter then it is indeed an early issue as you suggest. If on the other hand there is a small letter with the serial number that will indicate which month of 1913 the Luger was made. Sounds like a nice piece, remember "don't fire it" even if that bore looks like glass. Hope this helps. Dok (Webmeister)

02-24-2002, 12:28 AM	#3
MikeG New User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need advice on an estimated value. I took a closer loser look at the serial number but can find no letter stamped anywhere around the s/n.Only the serial number itself (#614). Mike

02-24-2002, 08:23 AM	#4
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need advice on an estimated value. Mike, There were approx. 23,000 Erfurt Lugers produced in 1913 and these were in the "no letter", "a" & "b" letter suffix range. So, your pistol is correct and it is a very early 1913 production. Since your Luger is an early 1913 Luger, your pistol probably does not have the stock lug on the rear of the frame, unreleived sear bar, and no holdopen, but at soem point the sear may have been releived and a holdopen added by the armory. If you have a holdopen, look on the right side of the frame and you will see where a little pin was added and a very small stamp was added below this pin. This indicates that the holdopen was added at Erfurt after it was originally made. The sear bars were sometimes relieved and sometimes left as-is. Sounds like you have a nice WWI Imperial Luger and the value Dok suggested sounds about right for a dealer asking price. If you are intetested, there is a book by Jan Still, "Imperial Lugers" which gives a lot of detail and information on the WWI Lugers. These usually sell for approx. $60. There is a link to Jan Still's books in the Link & Resources section of the Forum. Marvin

02-24-2002, 11:49 AM	#5
MikeG New User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need advice on an estimated value. Thanks Marvin...I took a close look at the frame and cannot find a pin, so I assume at this point that there is no hold open. Thanks for the advice, Mike

02-24-2002, 01:01 PM	#6
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Need advice on an estimated value. You can test the holdopen feature by pulling back the toggle with an empty mag in place and cocking the pistol. If the toggle will not stay back, chances are it has no holdopen. If on the other hand it does stay back, then it has a holdopen. To release the pressure on the firing pin, pull the toggle back, and while holding it back squeeze the trigger and allow the toggle to go forward while squeezing the trigger. This will save you from having to "dry fire" your Luger. Dok