Is this a good deal?

czech · 05-02-2007, 02:45 PM

Hey guys, I'm a total newbie to Lugers and I need some advice.

A guy I don't know personally has a Luger he wants to trade me for a gun I have. Mine is worth around $900.

His Luger, as he describes it, has matching numbers (serial #6389L) on the barrel, receiver, trigger assembly and on the back (?), one mag (not matching), is marked DWG and has a crown over an "N" just behind the barrel, looking down from the top. It has 80-85% blue. No pitting, no rust. The safety is not stamped with a serial number, and he can see no other parts with serial numbers.

Oh yeah, and he says the grips are smooth walnut, which he is pretty sure are original to the gun, which in his estimation was built sometime in the 1930s.

He's sending me pictures, but I haven't seen them yet.

I've only done a little searching, but I've never seen a Luger with smooth grips. Is this possible?

Is there any information you can pass on to me? If this is a $500 pistol, I don't want to waste my time.

Many Thanks,
Czech

thegundude · 05-02-2007, 03:17 PM

It's realy, really hard to tell without pictures.

Smooth grips, from what I know, are not original to the gun.

Is there no date stamp at the top front of the receiver? If not, it's probably a 1920 Commercial. If it's in 85% condition, with similar condition strawed parts, and all matching parts (except mag) then it's probably worth somewhere in the neighborhood of about $500 to $800. Maybe more. They sometimes go for more on GunBroker but not always.

But that's all mere speculation without photos...

Do you want it? Does it speak to you? I've seen people pay more for guns than they should have but were still glad to do so. They all go up in value so one day it'll be worth what you have into it...

Edward Tinker · 05-02-2007, 06:26 PM

Fred, welcome to the forum. Pictures would help a lot... Is it 9mm or 7.65mm (30 luger), that makes a difference in value by several hundred dollars.

It would be toggle stamped DWM, although it is script, so hard to tell to a new guy.

I have seen very worn grips that look smooth and also seen ones that were made smooth. One ever came from the factory smooth as far as I know (and I've seen thousands of lugers)...

Ed

HardBaller · 05-02-2007, 09:47 PM

Just a thought here but what if this Luger is wearing Ideal grips?

Just my .02.

Pics, Pics, Pics are the only way to get real solid answers to the above questions.

Tim

czech · 05-04-2007, 10:13 PM

Hey, thanks everyone, but the seller has decided to hang on to his pistol. He did say, however, that it was a .30 caliber, and that the grips had no visible screws holding them on...so that would seem to rule out Ideal grips (great idea, though, Hardballer...thanks).

Anyway, I sure appreciate the help you've given to a raw beginner.

Czech

05-02-2007, 02:45 PM	#1
czech New User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is this a good deal? Hey guys, I'm a total newbie to Lugers and I need some advice. A guy I don't know personally has a Luger he wants to trade me for a gun I have. Mine is worth around $900. His Luger, as he describes it, has matching numbers (serial #6389L) on the barrel, receiver, trigger assembly and on the back (?), one mag (not matching), is marked DWG and has a crown over an "N" just behind the barrel, looking down from the top. It has 80-85% blue. No pitting, no rust. The safety is not stamped with a serial number, and he can see no other parts with serial numbers. Oh yeah, and he says the grips are smooth walnut, which he is pretty sure are original to the gun, which in his estimation was built sometime in the 1930s. He's sending me pictures, but I haven't seen them yet. I've only done a little searching, but I've never seen a Luger with smooth grips. Is this possible? Is there any information you can pass on to me? If this is a $500 pistol, I don't want to waste my time. Many Thanks, Czech

05-02-2007, 03:17 PM	#2
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	It's realy, really hard to tell without pictures. Smooth grips, from what I know, are not original to the gun. Is there no date stamp at the top front of the receiver? If not, it's probably a 1920 Commercial. If it's in 85% condition, with similar condition strawed parts, and all matching parts (except mag) then it's probably worth somewhere in the neighborhood of about $500 to $800. Maybe more. They sometimes go for more on GunBroker but not always. But that's all mere speculation without photos... Do you want it? Does it speak to you? I've seen people pay more for guns than they should have but were still glad to do so. They all go up in value so one day it'll be worth what you have into it... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

05-02-2007, 09:47 PM	#4
HardBaller User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just a thought here but what if this Luger is wearing Ideal grips? Just my .02. Pics, Pics, Pics are the only way to get real solid answers to the above questions. Tim __________________ Better to Die On Your Feet Than Live On Your Knees

05-02-2007, 06:26 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,965 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,593 Times in 2,115 Posts	Fred, welcome to the forum. Pictures would help a lot... Is it 9mm or 7.65mm (30 luger), that makes a difference in value by several hundred dollars. It would be toggle stamped DWM, although it is script, so hard to tell to a new guy. I have seen very worn grips that look smooth and also seen ones that were made smooth. One ever came from the factory smooth as far as I know (and I've seen thousands of lugers)... Ed

05-04-2007, 10:13 PM	#5
czech New User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hey, thanks everyone, but the seller has decided to hang on to his pistol. He did say, however, that it was a .30 caliber, and that the grips had no visible screws holding them on...so that would seem to rule out Ideal grips (great idea, though, Hardballer...thanks). Anyway, I sure appreciate the help you've given to a raw beginner. Czech