Help Identifying Luger

RANGER94 · 10-01-2013, 10:14 PM

Hello Everyone,
Sorry this is my first post, please be patient.

My buddy inherited this luger from his father. His dad was a forward observer with the 94 Infantry Division during WW2. His father, who spoke fluent German, received it when his unit took the city of Ludwigshafen around 21 - 24 March 1945. He actually receive it voluntarily from a German citizen baker, who feared due to Nazi propaganda, American retribution. The story that was given with the gun indicated it had belonged to a German officer in WWI.

My question is what does he have here, and what is the ballpark value? Holster & Magazine are original.

mdrumbore · 10-01-2013, 11:33 PM

Do all the numbers match on the gun and does the serial number on the magazine match the gun? Also what is the date on the chamber and are there any marks on the front of the grip strap?

Looks like a very nice DWM imperial military Luger from the 1st world war. The above information would need to be confirmed to help give a good estimate on value.

DavidJayUden · 10-01-2013, 11:47 PM

The photos are not good and the info. is sketchy, however it does look very nice, exceptionally nice bluing and straw coloring. If the numbers match except the mag, maybe $1600, with matching mag. maybe $2000. If the numbers do not match, then a grand or less.
I'm not familiar with that style of holster, but I'm certain that the others here are.
Again very ballpark figures based on unusually good condtion.
dju

Edward Tinker · 10-02-2013, 12:10 AM

David and Michel, the holster looks like a commercial or very early holster. It's all very nice but I'd like to see more of it

Is there a tool pouch on the inside, extra magazine?

Tony Min · 10-02-2013, 12:12 AM

Looks suspiciously nice...

Ron Wood · 10-02-2013, 12:25 AM

Your buddy may have a winner. In spite of the bad lighting and not so great photos, there are some things that look right. Really would like to see better focus and closer photos taken in natural light without single point lighting like a lamp or flash. It is a good looking gun and I for one would like to see more. Ballpark values would then follow.

Geo99 · 10-02-2013, 02:42 AM

That is a very nice condition WWI army Luger, made in 1915. Appears to be original finish, but like the other folks said, better pictures are needed to be more certain.

I agree with David on the value = $1600-$2000 for the gun - IF it has matching numbers on all the internal parts.
I've never seen a holster like that and don't know what it's worth but it is not an original WWI army holster.
The magazine bottom looks suspicious, like a repro - color & finish appears wrong.

Can you provide close up pictures of the mag sides & bottom?

Sergio Natali · 10-02-2013, 08:01 AM

Apart from the magazine woden bottom all the rest looks in excepional conditions... too good to be true? A close inspection would be needed.

alanint · 10-02-2013, 08:43 AM

My view is that the finish is original, from the photos available. It jibes with the story. Why would a baker have a Luger? His personal gun from WW1, or a relatives, most likely. Kept intact and never used between the wars and until surrendered in 1945.

Also, I would expect and expertly "restored" Luger to be paired with a nice, correct WW1 holster to enhance the deception, not a civilian offering.

George Anderson · 10-02-2013, 09:48 AM

The holster is a real plus. It's a very early Reichsrevolver holster converted to P08 use.

John Sabato · 10-02-2013, 11:15 AM

VERY NICE! A keeper for sure.

Ron Smith · 10-02-2013, 03:13 PM

I would agree with George on your Luger and holster. With the scarce and desirable RR converted holster, it correlates with the story of this belonging to an Imperial officer. Officers were required to purchase their own sidearm.

I think your friend has an exceptionally nice example. IMO, insurance (not necessarily market) value would be closer to $3000.00.

RANGER94 · 10-03-2013, 05:09 PM

Hello Everyone - thanks for the help. Any idea on about where & about when it was made. My buddies father actually registered the gun when he came back from the war with the city of Detroit. He has (and I have digital copy but don't feel comfortable posting) the registration paperwork. There are two certs: Customs Cert & Safety Cert. All of the serial numbers on the paperwork match the gun.

1) All serial numbers match on the gun
2) He has three clips. One with no serial number and wooden bottom? He has two other clips with serial numbers but do not match the gun.
3) More pictures are attached.
4) I may have missed any other requests that may help??

Ron Wood · 10-03-2013, 05:41 PM

It was made in 1915, the date on the chamber. It was made by DWM in (or near) Berlin. The gun is a beauty, one of the better ones out there. it is standard military issue so not an officer private purchase, but it may have been carried by an officer. The cross hatched base on the magazine in the gun is something someone "customized" or replaced. The two magazines in the pouch are original and look to be in as nice of condition as the gun. The pouch itself is very interesting and would appreciate a photo of the back side. If original also, it has considerable value. The whole kit and kaboodle is pushing 3 Grand.

RANGER94 · 10-03-2013, 06:11 PM

Thanks! I will get the pictures of the back side of the pouch.

alanint · 10-03-2013, 10:50 PM

Yow!! This enssamble keeps getting better and better!!

George Anderson · 10-03-2013, 11:06 PM

The pouch appears to be made by Eugen Huber. If so it will be marked so on the cover just above the button. The two pieces of leather have a considerable value.

klaus 3338 · 10-04-2013, 08:21 AM

The holster is a BAVARIAN altered Reichsrevolver holster and as Geo said it is also a Bavarian mag pouch.

alanint · 10-04-2013, 08:31 AM

Another plus are the two spare magazines in the pouch, which seem to have almost pristine wood bases.

Are the wood bases numbered?

RANGER94 · 10-04-2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Another plus are the two spare magazines in the pouch, which seem to have almost pristine wood bases.

Are the wood bases numbered?

I am sorry, I maybe confused. What do you mean by wood bases?

there are three magazines. Two of which are fully metal with serial numbers (the serial numbers do not match the gun). The third magazine has the wood at the bottom, which I have no idea why there would be wood on the bottom of a magazine??

Thanks again for all of your help & history lessons. This is great stuff!!!

10-01-2013, 11:33 PM	#2
mdrumbore User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 51 Thanks: 7 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Do all the numbers match on the gun and does the serial number on the magazine match the gun? Also what is the date on the chamber and are there any marks on the front of the grip strap? Looks like a very nice DWM imperial military Luger from the 1st world war. The above information would need to be confirmed to help give a good estimate on value. Last edited by mdrumbore; 10-01-2013 at 11:37 PM. Reason: Added information.

10-02-2013, 12:10 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,607 Times in 2,123 Posts	David and Michel, the holster looks like a commercial or very early holster. It's all very nice but I'd like to see more of it Is there a tool pouch on the inside, extra magazine? __________________ 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

10-02-2013, 12:25 AM	#6
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,051 Thanks: 1,119 Thanked 5,286 Times in 1,728 Posts	Your buddy may have a winner. In spite of the bad lighting and not so great photos, there are some things that look right. Really would like to see better focus and closer photos taken in natural light without single point lighting like a lamp or flash. It is a good looking gun and I for one would like to see more. Ballpark values would then follow. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

10-02-2013, 02:42 AM	#7
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 400 Thanks: 102 Thanked 127 Times in 75 Posts	That is a very nice condition WWI army Luger, made in 1915. Appears to be original finish, but like the other folks said, better pictures are needed to be more certain. I agree with David on the value = $1600-$2000 for the gun - IF it has matching numbers on all the internal parts. I've never seen a holster like that and don't know what it's worth but it is not an original WWI army holster. The magazine bottom looks suspicious, like a repro - color & finish appears wrong. Can you provide close up pictures of the mag sides & bottom? __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

10-02-2013, 08:01 AM	#8
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Apart from the magazine woden bottom all the rest looks in excepional conditions... too good to be true? A close inspection would be needed. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

10-01-2013, 11:47 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	The photos are not good and the info. is sketchy, however it does look very nice, exceptionally nice bluing and straw coloring. If the numbers match except the mag, maybe $1600, with matching mag. maybe $2000. If the numbers do not match, then a grand or less. I'm not familiar with that style of holster, but I'm certain that the others here are. Again very ballpark figures based on unusually good condtion. dju

10-02-2013, 12:12 AM	#5
Tony Min User Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 169 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 14 Posts	Looks suspiciously nice...

10-02-2013, 08:43 AM	#9
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	My view is that the finish is original, from the photos available. It jibes with the story. Why would a baker have a Luger? His personal gun from WW1, or a relatives, most likely. Kept intact and never used between the wars and until surrendered in 1945. Also, I would expect and expertly "restored" Luger to be paired with a nice, correct WW1 holster to enhance the deception, not a civilian offering.

10-02-2013, 09:48 AM	#10
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,531 Times in 788 Posts	The holster is a real plus. It's a very early Reichsrevolver holster converted to P08 use.

10-02-2013, 11:15 AM	#11
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,309 Times in 1,098 Posts	VERY NICE! A keeper for sure. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

10-02-2013, 03:13 PM	#12
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I would agree with George on your Luger and holster. With the scarce and desirable RR converted holster, it correlates with the story of this belonging to an Imperial officer. Officers were required to purchase their own sidearm. I think your friend has an exceptionally nice example. IMO, insurance (not necessarily market) value would be closer to $3000.00. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-03-2013, 05:41 PM	#14
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,051 Thanks: 1,119 Thanked 5,286 Times in 1,728 Posts	It was made in 1915, the date on the chamber. It was made by DWM in (or near) Berlin. The gun is a beauty, one of the better ones out there. it is standard military issue so not an officer private purchase, but it may have been carried by an officer. The cross hatched base on the magazine in the gun is something someone "customized" or replaced. The two magazines in the pouch are original and look to be in as nice of condition as the gun. The pouch itself is very interesting and would appreciate a photo of the back side. If original also, it has considerable value. The whole kit and kaboodle is pushing 3 Grand. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

10-03-2013, 06:11 PM	#15
RANGER94 User Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks! I will get the pictures of the back side of the pouch.

10-03-2013, 10:50 PM	#16
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Yow!! This enssamble keeps getting better and better!!

10-03-2013, 11:06 PM	#17
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,531 Times in 788 Posts	The pouch appears to be made by Eugen Huber. If so it will be marked so on the cover just above the button. The two pieces of leather have a considerable value.

10-04-2013, 08:21 AM	#18
klaus 3338 User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 524 Thanks: 0 Thanked 432 Times in 165 Posts	The holster is a BAVARIAN altered Reichsrevolver holster and as Geo said it is also a Bavarian mag pouch.

10-04-2013, 08:31 AM	#19
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Another plus are the two spare magazines in the pouch, which seem to have almost pristine wood bases. Are the wood bases numbered?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode