Help valuing a 1938 S/42

01KLR · 12-01-2018, 04:05 PM

First post! Longtime milsurp collector, but new to Lugers.

A friend of mine is looking to sell a ’38 S/42 Luger his father-in-law acquired during WWII. I am interested in buying it but am having trouble figuring out what to offer him.

Based on the markings, I think it is a standard army-issue pistol.

All parts match except for the magazine. The bore is in fair condition — decent rifling, but dark with lots of pitting. It seems tight mechanically and a function check with dummy rounds indicates everything works as it should.

It has the “million dollar chip” on the left grip and the right grip has an area where the checkering is heavily compressed. Both grips are unnumbered.

It comes with a hardshell holster in remarkably good condition marked “Gebrüder Klinge Dresden 1936”, a spare wood-bottom (slightly chipped on one side) plated magazine, and a loading tool marked “2.17” with no other marks or proofs. Unfortunately, the young solider who brought this rig back decided to stencil his name in yellow paint across the front of the holster. It also has a crude wire hanger through the belt loops, like it was once attached to a GI pistol belt.

They do not have capture papers for it.

I’ve worked with Simpson Ltd in the past and did a survey of Mauser Lugers on their site, but all of their listings look to be in better condition. This, and what I’ve read on this forum, leads me to think this particular example might be more of a shooter than a collector. I’d actually like to own one I can occasionally shoot without feeling bad about devaluing it.

I’d appreciate any and all opinions on what might be a fair price for the pistol and associated accessories, keeping in mind that I’m buying from a friend. Thanks!

01KLR · 12-01-2018, 04:10 PM

Additional pics below.

01KLR · 12-01-2018, 04:12 PM

And pics of the holster...

mrerick · 12-01-2018, 04:22 PM

Hi, it looks like considerable finish wear on the Luger. Perhaps a lower end collectible if all parts match and it's a functional pistol. Some of the Mauser Lugers in this period had a light almost translucent finish while they were perfecting the salt bluing process.

Depending on the paint, Jerry may know of a solvent that will help clear it from the Leather and not damage the leather surface of subsurface. Until that is known, I would not value the original holster.

My initial estimate would be $1350 or so.

Marc

DavidJayUden · 12-01-2018, 04:59 PM

As you know it is hard to be precise because there is no "book value", but Id agree with Marc's estimate of $1350. It appears to be a good honest example that has clearly seen some use. How does that estimate line up with what you were thinking?
dju

gunbugs · 12-01-2018, 07:10 PM

I would leave the holster "as is", I think it shows honest use by an American GI. Kinda cool, and a little different.

Edward Tinker · 12-01-2018, 10:05 PM

I too would leave the holster alone and would figure it was worth $100 as-is if not double that.

The 1938 and 1939 are pretty neat years, unsure why, but I like them. Probably because its before and just as the war was starting.

lugerholsterrepair · 12-01-2018, 11:44 PM

I would leave the holster "as is", I think it shows honest use by an American GI. Kinda cool, and a little different.
With one change order..GET RID OF THE WIRE! It can serve no purpose and only harm the leather. It's a leather holster not a wire & leather holster.

$1,350 is WAY too rich for me in this condition..particularly with a worn, dark & pitted bore. It's condition is too far gone for any real collector but as a shooter..it's worth $1,000 tops.

01KLR · 12-02-2018, 06:36 PM

Marc, David & Jerry:

Thanks for your thoughts on the value. I really appreciate the input.

My first thought was "all-matching 1938 Mauser with period holster, extra mag and loading tool, it must be worth close to $2,000!"

But nearly everything about it is a bit worn or rough -- the finish, the bore, the grips. And then there is the name on the holster, which like gunbugs, I think is kind of cool, but it's not helping the collectability factor either. (Jerry -- I removed the wire. Thanks for the advice.)

I think it will be a fun shooter. I want to offer my friend a fair price, but I don't want to overpay either. This helps a lot.

12-01-2018, 04:22 PM	#4
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	Hi, it looks like considerable finish wear on the Luger. Perhaps a lower end collectible if all parts match and it's a functional pistol. Some of the Mauser Lugers in this period had a light almost translucent finish while they were perfecting the salt bluing process. Depending on the paint, Jerry may know of a solvent that will help clear it from the Leather and not damage the leather surface of subsurface. Until that is known, I would not value the original holster. My initial estimate would be $1350 or so. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-01-2018, 11:44 PM	#8
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,134 Times in 1,439 Posts	I would leave the holster "as is", I think it shows honest use by an American GI. Kinda cool, and a little different. With one change order..GET RID OF THE WIRE! It can serve no purpose and only harm the leather. It's a leather holster not a wire & leather holster. $1,350 is WAY too rich for me in this condition..particularly with a worn, dark & pitted bore. It's condition is too far gone for any real collector but as a shooter..it's worth $1,000 tops. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

12-01-2018, 04:59 PM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	As you know it is hard to be precise because there is no "book value", but Id agree with Marc's estimate of $1350. It appears to be a good honest example that has clearly seen some use. How does that estimate line up with what you were thinking? dju

12-01-2018, 07:10 PM	#6
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 681 Thanks: 375 Thanked 1,227 Times in 414 Posts	I would leave the holster "as is", I think it shows honest use by an American GI. Kinda cool, and a little different.

12-01-2018, 10:05 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,609 Times in 2,123 Posts	I too would leave the holster alone and would figure it was worth $100 as-is if not double that. The 1938 and 1939 are pretty neat years, unsure why, but I like them. Probably because its before and just as the war was starting.

12-02-2018, 06:36 PM	#9
01KLR New User Join Date: Nov 2018 Posts: 4 Thanks: 6 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Marc, David & Jerry: Thanks for your thoughts on the value. I really appreciate the input. My first thought was "all-matching 1938 Mauser with period holster, extra mag and loading tool, it must be worth close to $2,000!" But nearly everything about it is a bit worn or rough -- the finish, the bore, the grips. And then there is the name on the holster, which like gunbugs, I think is kind of cool, but it's not helping the collectability factor either. (Jerry -- I removed the wire. Thanks for the advice.) I think it will be a fun shooter. I want to offer my friend a fair price, but I don't want to overpay either. This helps a lot.