1938 s/42

guw3ch · 06-14-2015, 08:00 PM

Hello ,

A friend of mine,now in his 70's owns this Luger and asked my opinion about it since he wants to know his current value.
It is all matching , but the magazine does not fit the period of this gun ? It has no import markings. I would appreciate your opinion on this one and a fair market value. Also,the grips are numbered with a 27 which are not the last 2 digits but the 2nd to the last ?
Thanks in advance

mrerick · 06-14-2015, 09:26 PM

I can't see much detail in the photos, but my first impression is that the wear on the side plate (trigger plate) is considerably different than that of the rest of the Luger.

Check the inside of the side plate to see if the numbers stamped inside the plate track to the first two digits of the serial number. Either 42 or 43.

Sounds like the grips are replacement and a mis-match. A more minor mis-match, but one none the less.

Looks like it's in pretty good condition. Wrong period magazine, of course.

So, I'd value it above a shooter, but below the value of a matching collectible Luger. So, anywhere between $1150 and $1350 or so...

Marc

guw3ch · 06-14-2015, 11:33 PM

Thank you Mark for the quick feedback. I will check the plate.

alanint · 06-15-2015, 01:21 PM

I would say that the same die set that marked the grips also force matched the magazine.

I don't know why people insist on doing this.

hayhugh · 06-15-2015, 01:42 PM

Quote:

I don't know why people insist on doing this.

Because they think there is someone out there (as dumb as they are) that will believe the changes and pay "big bucks" for an all matching (including the magazine) authentic Luger.

DavidJayUden · 06-15-2015, 02:18 PM

Also, there are spots of finish that cause concern, including, but not limited to, the takedown lever. Almost looks like flat black spray paint?
Considering the skullduggery we have seen, I'd be very cautious on this one. I'd probably drop the value to that of a shooter until I had my hands on it for a good "check up".
dju

guw3ch · 06-15-2015, 07:19 PM

Thank you for all the replies. My friend bought this pistol years ago and he was told all matching
He did payed in the 80's a $ 1000 which was probably too much for back then. Now he wants to sell
his guns. He has one more Luger which i will ask for opinions as well as soon I have taken the photos. This one looks like a police issue since it has a bar connected to the side plate and no markings on top of the receiver and toggle.

Mac Cat · 06-15-2015, 08:43 PM

guw3ch, I wondered how you took the photos above. It looks like you may have used a light box. I'm thinking about buying one, and curious about your technique and nice results.

tomaustin · 06-16-2015, 12:03 AM

copy this to your browser....easy to make light box.....

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-an-Ine...raphy-Lightbox

guw3ch · 06-16-2015, 02:13 PM

Yes i did use a lighth box. You can build one as suggested or look at e- bay for one . They are fairly inexpensive .

06-14-2015, 09:26 PM	#2
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,139 Times in 1,520 Posts	I can't see much detail in the photos, but my first impression is that the wear on the side plate (trigger plate) is considerably different than that of the rest of the Luger. Check the inside of the side plate to see if the numbers stamped inside the plate track to the first two digits of the serial number. Either 42 or 43. Sounds like the grips are replacement and a mis-match. A more minor mis-match, but one none the less. Looks like it's in pretty good condition. Wrong period magazine, of course. So, I'd value it above a shooter, but below the value of a matching collectible Luger. So, anywhere between $1150 and $1350 or so... Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

06-14-2015, 11:33 PM	#3
guw3ch User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 24 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thank you Mark for the quick feedback. I will check the plate.

06-15-2015, 01:21 PM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I would say that the same die set that marked the grips also force matched the magazine. I don't know why people insist on doing this.

06-15-2015, 02:18 PM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Also, there are spots of finish that cause concern, including, but not limited to, the takedown lever. Almost looks like flat black spray paint? Considering the skullduggery we have seen, I'd be very cautious on this one. I'd probably drop the value to that of a shooter until I had my hands on it for a good "check up". dju

06-15-2015, 07:19 PM	#7
guw3ch User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 24 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thank you for all the replies. My friend bought this pistol years ago and he was told all matching He did payed in the 80's a $ 1000 which was probably too much for back then. Now he wants to sell his guns. He has one more Luger which i will ask for opinions as well as soon I have taken the photos. This one looks like a police issue since it has a bar connected to the side plate and no markings on top of the receiver and toggle.

06-15-2015, 08:43 PM	#8
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 769 Thanks: 2,188 Thanked 656 Times in 350 Posts	guw3ch, I wondered how you took the photos above. It looks like you may have used a light box. I'm thinking about buying one, and curious about your technique and nice results.

06-16-2015, 12:03 AM	#9
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	copy this to your browser....easy to make light box..... http://www.wikihow.com/Create-an-Ine...raphy-Lightbox

06-16-2015, 02:13 PM	#10
guw3ch User Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 24 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Yes i did use a lighth box. You can build one as suggested or look at e- bay for one . They are fairly inexpensive .