Newbie, luger purchase

[widgeon97146]

Hello all, I have an opportunity to purchase a Luger and would like your opinions on its value.

As I am new to Luger's, I will tell you what I know about this one.

Brought home by WW2 Vet and later given to his nephew some 40 odd years ago. He fired it once or twice, and kept it loaded for home protection, now in his late 70's no longer wants it around.

As far as I can tell (with out breaking it down) all numbers match

One magazine stamped with matching serial number.

Original Holster stamped with matching serial number.

Thank you for your assistance.

[widgeon97146]

a couple more pic's

[alanint]

You have a very nice Wiemar era police pistol. These were reworked WW1 military pistols. One magazine and a holster that match the pistol's serial are added plusses.
Your gun has a sear safety but no magazine safety.
Others will venture a guess at its worth in today's market.

[widgeon97146]

Thank you very much.

I look forward to any help or advice, on the purchase of this Luger.

[Ron Smith]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the forum.

As Doug states, it's a very nice police rig. The market is kind of soft due to the economy, and Weimar police Lugers are often a hard sell. Just an estimate on my part, but I would think a fair value is in the $1300 - $1400 range. I would offer him $1000, which is low-ball, but a lot more than any dealer would offer him for it.

Nice Military Lugers that were selling for $2000 + a year ago can be had for $1500-$1600 now.

Ron

[alvin]

I have never be able to figure out this, please help:

Why did sellers prefer under table private sale, won't put it on gunbroker.com and sell it publicly a better choice?

No camera? No PC? Or don't know gunbroker.com?

[Ron Wood]

Face to face sales have the very decided advantages of instant payment, no shipping, no transfer fees or hassle and both parties know exactly what is being bought/sold. On line sales, e.g. Gunbroker, are a pain in the patoot with regard to shipping, payment, possibility of returns and transfer paperwork for buyers that do not have a FFL.

[widgeon97146]

Weimar police Lugers are often a hard sell

Why are they a hard sell ?

[Death-Ace]

Kind of late, but it's probably do to the fact many WWI or WWII collectors (and possibly "purists") consider Weimar-era lugers as just a small commodity. Where as those "every WWI or WWII produced weapon" luger had to see a battle command high prices (or as high as our economy will allow ), the history of both the Weimar Republic and what was produced in that era are but a footnote in history and known only as Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch and Kristalnacht. :P

What's not understood is what happened during this era...hyperinflation, the hatred, Treaty of Versailles. For instance, the luger I have was "dated 1921" but was actually made in 1924. What they did was use the same markings albeit one other that would indicate production year. This got around the arms reduction of the Treaty of Versailles and they produced weapons such like such for years! When I saw it in a case for $600 at the busiest gun show of the city on Sunday, I couldn't believe it. Either people missed it or didn't care. But when I saw one say "Wow a luger! ...oh..this thing isn't "real" I about cried. Offered 500, he took it, it's the 2nd pride of my shooters today.

Sorry, type more than I talk!

[policeluger]

I would differ with that hard to sell statement, it is a beautiful rig and if you don't want it I would be interested.....

[Dwight Gruber]

Originally Posted by Death-Ace

...For instance, the luger I have was "dated 1921" but was actually made in 1924. What they did was use the same markings albeit one other that would indicate production year...

Actually, 1921 dated Lugers were manufactured in 1921. Your "1924" conventional wisdom is an outdated assumption; much new information has come to light since that concept was popular.

You are correct about the relative lack of desirability of Weimar-ea Lugers, compared to WWI/WWII Lugers, and the essence of the reason why.

It would be interesting to see pictures of your 1921 dated gun. Knowing its markings and other characteristics would allow us to give you a much clearer picture of its history.

--Dwight

[Ferley]

Dwight, weren't Weimer's WW1 that had just been converted to Police use? I mean, It was a Military weapon at one time, right? So, I for one just don't understand the mind set. It, in actuality has two histories. I'm new to the collecting scene so, please explain so that an idiot can understand. I just acquired a 1920 DWM Weimer myself that also has military markings and I think it's grand to start with!
Not being nasty, just confused. Ferley

[lugerholsterrepair]

Ferley, I mean, It was a Military weapon at one time, right? So, I for one just don't understand the mind set. It, in actuality has two histories.

Any weapon and especially the Luger is more desirable in it's original shape. I agree that Police pistols have the advantage of having more history but often parts have changed, configurations such as sear safeties or mag safety's have been added. Magazines have often changed from wood to aluminum. Many things took place that some collectors see as a hodgepodge. There are often so many changes on these weapons that even though they have more history, some of the original history has been erased.

Many collectors find them interesting enough to collect as a type.

Jerry Burney

[Ferley]

Thanks Jerry, I pretty much figured that was the criteria. So, about the only acceptable additions from the factory would be Command assignments and the like?
Since I have your attention, can you explain to me how you add things like your 173rd Airborne and the rest of your information to the message forms?
Also, is there a place we can donate to the forum? I'm not rich but I know that this site doesn't run itself and I am probably going to have lots of questions when Thor finishes my new toy!
Ferley

[Dwight Gruber]

Originally Posted by Ferley

Dwight, weren't Weimer's WW1 that had just been converted to Police use? I mean, It was a Military weapon at one time, right? So, I for one just don't understand the mind set. It, in actuality has two histories. I'm new to the collecting scene so, please explain so that an idiot can understand. I just acquired a 1920 DWM Weimer myself that also has military markings and I think it's grand to start with!
Not being nasty, just confused. Ferley

Ferley,

The collector designation "Weimar Lugers" includes WWI pistols which were pressed into service as Police or Reichswehr use; pistols manufactured by Simpson; and newly-manufactured commercial pistols by DWM/BKIW (a Weimar story unto itself), which were also occasionally taken for use by the Police, Army, or Navy.

Imperial Lugers used during the Weimar era don't reprersent two different histories, but a single history which extends past their Imperial origins.

It would be interesting to see photos of your Luger to see if it is an Imperial pistol with a 1920 property mark (not a date), or if it is actually a 1920-manufactured pistol.

--Dwight

[alanint]

Dwight,

Nice photo of the chamber at the beginning of this thread..

Hand stamped 1920 over factory stamped 1918

[Dwight Gruber]

Different pistol, there are three in this discussion.

--Dwight

[Ferley]

Dwight, I have pictures with my profile, just don't know how to get them here.
A man can go off the deep end just trying to decide which group to collect!!! That said, I know that I will eventually end up with a Navy! Thanks.
Ferley