I wanted to share with you guys my Grandfather's Luger from WW2 Italy

Farking Bastage · 06-25-2008, 07:55 PM

When looking about for more information about lugers, I found this forum. My grandfather left me what appears to be a (mostly)matched serial number luger with matching magazine and holster. I also wanted to share the story behind it's acquisition.

My Grandfather was a 25 year old Company commander for the 88'th Division(Blue Devils), Company B, 349'th infantry brigade, when he was redeployed from North Africa to Southern Italy in '44. Supposedly, it was part of a program to get the newer CO's more combat experience, and boy did they get all they wanted.

In the days leading up to the Battle of Monte Cassino, his company was clearing a number of farm houses in the area. He sent two scouts forward to check the house before sending everyone else in, while being somewhat close behind himself. He came up on foxhole containing a German officer who was in the process of lining up a shot on one of his scouts. Not really knowing any German, he drew his Thompson down on him and yelled "Stick 'em up!". He said the German didn't have a clue what he said, but knew damn well what a Thompson pointed at him meant. From this officer, he took and kept his side arm, a luger. The rest of the story goes, they stormed a German warehouse later on containing boxes of Luger pistols, in which the entire company took one, but when asked by another soldier if he wanted a newer one, he opted to keep the one he captured. On a side note, he HATED his .45 and never used it again after obtaining this pistol.

It's not in pristine condition by any means, but considering what it went through, it's not bad.

The holster is in the condition, less a little wear and tear, he obtained it in. The twine repair on the clasp was supposedly done by the original owner.

Left side of the receiver

The manufacture date, 1940 stamped on the receiver

Part of the grip and the safety mechanism

Full Top View

Stampings on the bolt

Stampings on the magazine

And another set of Nazi Markings on the right side of the receiver

From the markings I think it is a mass produced variety, and has 2 mismatched parts, the takedown lever and the side plate.

I fired this weapon last Memorial weekend, and I am completely blown away by the precision and the total lack of recoil this thing has, which is why pops liked it so much. It is like shooting a .22 there is next to zero muzzle flip, none of the delayed kick I have felt in like a glock, or anything. Follow up shots require very little, if any adjustment.

I have not taken it down to see if the internal marts match mainly due to fear that I may mess something up. It's a priceless family heirloom to me, and I figured you guys may enjoy hearing about it.

06-25-2008, 07:55 PM	#1
Farking Bastage New User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: FL Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I wanted to share with you guys my Grandfather's Luger from WW2 Italy When looking about for more information about lugers, I found this forum. My grandfather left me what appears to be a (mostly)matched serial number luger with matching magazine and holster. I also wanted to share the story behind it's acquisition. My Grandfather was a 25 year old Company commander for the 88'th Division(Blue Devils), Company B, 349'th infantry brigade, when he was redeployed from North Africa to Southern Italy in '44. Supposedly, it was part of a program to get the newer CO's more combat experience, and boy did they get all they wanted. In the days leading up to the Battle of Monte Cassino, his company was clearing a number of farm houses in the area. He sent two scouts forward to check the house before sending everyone else in, while being somewhat close behind himself. He came up on foxhole containing a German officer who was in the process of lining up a shot on one of his scouts. Not really knowing any German, he drew his Thompson down on him and yelled "Stick 'em up!". He said the German didn't have a clue what he said, but knew damn well what a Thompson pointed at him meant. From this officer, he took and kept his side arm, a luger. The rest of the story goes, they stormed a German warehouse later on containing boxes of Luger pistols, in which the entire company took one, but when asked by another soldier if he wanted a newer one, he opted to keep the one he captured. On a side note, he HATED his .45 and never used it again after obtaining this pistol. It's not in pristine condition by any means, but considering what it went through, it's not bad. The holster is in the condition, less a little wear and tear, he obtained it in. The twine repair on the clasp was supposedly done by the original owner. Left side of the receiver The manufacture date, 1940 stamped on the receiver Part of the grip and the safety mechanism Full Top View Stampings on the bolt Stampings on the magazine And another set of Nazi Markings on the right side of the receiver From the markings I think it is a mass produced variety, and has 2 mismatched parts, the takedown lever and the side plate. I fired this weapon last Memorial weekend, and I am completely blown away by the precision and the total lack of recoil this thing has, which is why pops liked it so much. It is like shooting a .22 there is next to zero muzzle flip, none of the delayed kick I have felt in like a glock, or anything. Follow up shots require very little, if any adjustment. I have not taken it down to see if the internal marts match mainly due to fear that I may mess something up. It's a priceless family heirloom to me, and I figured you guys may enjoy hearing about it.