Picked up a 1918 Erfurt Luger. Did I do well?

m0ondoggy · 10-30-2010, 01:31 AM

Hello, first post here. My dad has been craving a Luger since I was a teenager, and I picked one up at an auction earlier in the week. I know next to nothing about Lugers and was curious if I did well on this purchase. I have seen these go for over $1000, but I don't know enough to tell if the condition here qualifies this gun for that price range. It appears to be all numbers matching. It has some pitting and wear, but it is almost 100 years old.

Either way, this isn't an investment, it will be shot from time to time (unless I hear NOOOOO DON'T DO IT!

)

I picked it up for $400, did I do ok? I plan to give it to my dad for Christmas. Thanks for your time.

Wilhelm · 10-30-2010, 01:52 AM

You did just fine!!! I absolutely LOVE the patina. Some folks prefer them pristine. I prefer them just like yours. They MADE History instead of just passing through History. Leave it just as it is and enjoy shooting that sucker!!!

P.S. Your dad has one hell of a son!!!

m0ondoggy · 10-30-2010, 08:42 AM

Thanks. By "Just fine" Did I pay what it was worth or was it a good deal?

DavidJayUden · 10-30-2010, 09:01 AM

Without hands on inspection it is hard to say for sure, but I feel pretty safe to say that you did very well. Obviously it's been flown around the patch a few times and the magazine is of the wrong era. Assuming that there is no orig. holster involved, I'd say that it might bring $750 to the right buyer. But that is just my guess, so let's see what the others have to say.
Regarding shooting it, if a numbered part breaks it will hurt the value, but this is not a high end piece, so I vote that you take good care of it but enjoy it at the range occasionally. But buy a shooter if you plan to shoot a lot.
Welcome, and you do your Dad proud.
dju

Curly1 · 10-30-2010, 10:12 AM

For $400 you did good. A respectable shooter, I'm sure yer dad will be very pleased. Let us know how she shoots.

m0ondoggy · 10-30-2010, 10:35 AM

Thanks guys.

mrerick · 10-30-2010, 10:42 AM

Hey Steve,

Welcome to the Forum!

I also think that you did quite well in your purchase. The magazine (which I believe is a WW-II era Haenel extruded steel magazine) looks original and is worth $100 or more by itself.

The grips look like replacement - at least the right one. The Luger looks like it's in original finish, which is a real plus - don't refinish it or you'll drop it's value.

All the parts that I can see in your pictures match. That's also a plus. If you're going to shoot it, you might get a spare extractor and ejector (as well as other commonly broken parts) and save the numbered parts. Tom Heller (LugerDoc) stocks these parts, and is on the forum here.

The finish condition pushes the value back down somewhat. It looks like someone did some filing on the edges of the takedown lever (others can correct me if that's normal from the factory)...

I didn't see any import marks, which is also a plus.

So, try to keep it as close to original factory condition as possible, and enjoy your new Luger!!!

Marc

newluger · 10-30-2010, 10:45 AM

I think you did very well for $400. Its been around the horn a couple of times, but that can be expected of a gun that's 97 years old. It looks like the right grip has had some surgery done around the magazine release. I'm sure your dad will be very pleased. If not, you can always put it in my Christmas stocking

Peter

lugerholsterrepair · 10-30-2010, 10:56 AM

Steve, Will the pistol fire? It looks like your trigger is severly bent.

Jerry Burney

m0ondoggy · 10-30-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

Steve, Will the pistol fire? It looks like your trigger is severly bent.

Jerry Burney

I haven't tried shooting it, I was going to let my dad take the first shots out of it. I'm going to give it a thorough cleaning today. It does dry fire though, although I'm not in the habit of repeatedly dry firing 92 year old guns. I didn't notice that about the trigger, I'll go pull it out of the safe and double check it. Excellent advice on the extractor, I'll definitely get one of those too.

I was planning on having the front sight cut off; replaced with a nice dovetail. The rear sight I would probably mill down and replace with an XS peep sight. I think a nice Tenifer coating on the gun would be a plus too.

LOL, j/k. I'm a purist when it comes to most guns, Unless a part is broken I won't replace it, and if I do have to I try to find a correct part. Especially on something like this. Lugers are just neat.

Guess I need to find one for myself now.

Ron Wood · 10-30-2010, 11:42 AM

Jerry,
I suspect that someone in the past has purposely bent the top "ear" on the the trigger to take up the "slack" in an attempt to improve the trigger pull. It probably works but isn't a recommended approach as it could just as easily break rather than bend and it is a rather hit or miss method. If bent too far it could tend to make the gun "double" during firing. If the gun can be assembled and fires reliably, I would not attempt to un-bend it as it will almost assuredly break.

m0ondoggy · 10-30-2010, 12:30 PM

I'm not sure which part of the trigger you are talking about now. The part on the inside that is covered up when the plate is attached or the front of the ring on the trigger that is visible when the gun is assembled?

BTW, I'm cleaning the gun right now, and I think the pictures make the gun look worse than it is.

Wilhelm · 10-30-2010, 12:44 PM

Ron's talking about the very top area of the trigger in picture 4. It's the part under the sideplate that interacts with the trigger bar. It's bent slightly downward when it should be straight and level.

Wilhelm · 10-30-2010, 12:51 PM

This area. I hope you don't mind me reusing your picture. If you do, just let me know and I will delete it.

By the way, you take some schweet detail pictures!!

m0ondoggy · 10-30-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilhelm

This area. I hope you don't mind me reusing your picture. If you do, just let me know and I will delete it.

By the way, you take some schweet detail pictures!!

Your picture isn't showing, but no I don't mind at all.

Thanks! The 100mm macro lens really does all the work though.

I just noticed that the locking bolt spring is missing. I'll have to hit up lugerdoc for one of those too.

Curly1 · 10-30-2010, 06:27 PM

I would take it out for a test run just to make sure.

m0ondoggy · 10-30-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curly1

I would take it out for a test run just to make sure.

Make sure of what? I don't think it should be fired by anyone until I have the locking bolt spring installed and extractor replaced.

mrerick · 10-30-2010, 10:00 PM

What does the trigger feel like when you "dry fire" it (using a snap cap if possible)?

If it's crisp and there is adequate distance to the trigger pull, it's likely OK. It might have been bent to compensate for a problem with the trigger transfer bar (attached to the back of the trigger plate).

If it goes off with next to no takeup movement of the trigger it could be a problem, particularly if it interferes with the sear bar reset plunger (at the front of the sear bar).

A messed with trigger / transfer bar / sear can be a safety problem. You can't tell everything with dry firing since there are different dynamics with live rounds going off.

Rather than try and bend the top of the trigger back into position, consider getting a replacement trigger and setting this one aside (properly numbered to the gun).

There are gunsmiths on this board that have the specialized knowledge needed to effect proper trigger adjustments on Lugers.

Marc

Edward Tinker · 10-30-2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0ondoggy

Make sure of what? I don't think it should be fired by anyone until I have the locking bolt spring installed and extractor replaced.

uh ok.... This is a low end collector piece (no offense) so shooting it is not going to affect value very much. The take down spring is an easy replacement part, but does not interfer usually with the firing or safety of the gun; as the take-down lever will just be able to move easier without it.

Replacing the extractor is a good idea, but again, I have broken a toggle bolt and some other pieces, but not an extractor yet; although its the #1 thing to worry about, if worried about it....

Ed

Curly1 · 10-30-2010, 11:07 PM

Exactly when you fix it fire it.

10-30-2010, 01:52 AM	#2
Wilhelm User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 365 Thanks: 48 Thanked 136 Times in 60 Posts	You did just fine!!! I absolutely LOVE the patina. Some folks prefer them pristine. I prefer them just like yours. They MADE History instead of just passing through History. Leave it just as it is and enjoy shooting that sucker!!! P.S. Your dad has one hell of a son!!! __________________ translatedfrenchmanuals@yahoo.com I promise to be nice and play well with others

10-30-2010, 10:12 AM	#5
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,245 Thanks: 125 Thanked 715 Times in 372 Posts	For $400 you did good. A respectable shooter, I'm sure yer dad will be very pleased. Let us know how she shoots. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

10-30-2010, 10:42 AM	#7
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Hey Steve, Welcome to the Forum! I also think that you did quite well in your purchase. The magazine (which I believe is a WW-II era Haenel extruded steel magazine) looks original and is worth $100 or more by itself. The grips look like replacement - at least the right one. The Luger looks like it's in original finish, which is a real plus - don't refinish it or you'll drop it's value. All the parts that I can see in your pictures match. That's also a plus. If you're going to shoot it, you might get a spare extractor and ejector (as well as other commonly broken parts) and save the numbered parts. Tom Heller (LugerDoc) stocks these parts, and is on the forum here. The finish condition pushes the value back down somewhat. It looks like someone did some filing on the edges of the takedown lever (others can correct me if that's normal from the factory)... I didn't see any import marks, which is also a plus. So, try to keep it as close to original factory condition as possible, and enjoy your new Luger!!! Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-30-2010, 10:56 AM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	Steve, Will the pistol fire? It looks like your trigger is severly bent. Jerry Burney __________________ 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."

10-30-2010, 11:42 AM	#11
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: 7,037 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 5,248 Times in 1,721 Posts	Jerry, I suspect that someone in the past has purposely bent the top "ear" on the the trigger to take up the "slack" in an attempt to improve the trigger pull. It probably works but isn't a recommended approach as it could just as easily break rather than bend and it is a rather hit or miss method. If bent too far it could tend to make the gun "double" during firing. If the gun can be assembled and fires reliably, I would not attempt to un-bend it as it will almost assuredly break. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

10-30-2010, 01:31 AM	#1
m0ondoggy User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Picked up a 1918 Erfurt Luger. Did I do well? Hello, first post here. My dad has been craving a Luger since I was a teenager, and I picked one up at an auction earlier in the week. I know next to nothing about Lugers and was curious if I did well on this purchase. I have seen these go for over $1000, but I don't know enough to tell if the condition here qualifies this gun for that price range. It appears to be all numbers matching. It has some pitting and wear, but it is almost 100 years old. Either way, this isn't an investment, it will be shot from time to time (unless I hear NOOOOO DON'T DO IT! ) I picked it up for $400, did I do ok? I plan to give it to my dad for Christmas. Thanks for your time.

10-30-2010, 08:42 AM	#3
m0ondoggy User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks. By "Just fine" Did I pay what it was worth or was it a good deal?

10-30-2010, 09:01 AM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Without hands on inspection it is hard to say for sure, but I feel pretty safe to say that you did very well. Obviously it's been flown around the patch a few times and the magazine is of the wrong era. Assuming that there is no orig. holster involved, I'd say that it might bring $750 to the right buyer. But that is just my guess, so let's see what the others have to say. Regarding shooting it, if a numbered part breaks it will hurt the value, but this is not a high end piece, so I vote that you take good care of it but enjoy it at the range occasionally. But buy a shooter if you plan to shoot a lot. Welcome, and you do your Dad proud. dju

10-30-2010, 10:35 AM	#6
m0ondoggy User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks guys.

10-30-2010, 10:45 AM	#8
newluger User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Franklin Tennessee Posts: 119 Thanks: 22 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	I think you did very well for $400. Its been around the horn a couple of times, but that can be expected of a gun that's 97 years old. It looks like the right grip has had some surgery done around the magazine release. I'm sure your dad will be very pleased. If not, you can always put it in my Christmas stocking Peter

10-30-2010, 12:30 PM	#12
m0ondoggy User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm not sure which part of the trigger you are talking about now. The part on the inside that is covered up when the plate is attached or the front of the ring on the trigger that is visible when the gun is assembled? BTW, I'm cleaning the gun right now, and I think the pictures make the gun look worse than it is.

10-30-2010, 12:44 PM	#13
Wilhelm User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 365 Thanks: 48 Thanked 136 Times in 60 Posts	Ron's talking about the very top area of the trigger in picture 4. It's the part under the sideplate that interacts with the trigger bar. It's bent slightly downward when it should be straight and level. __________________ translatedfrenchmanuals@yahoo.com I promise to be nice and play well with others

10-30-2010, 12:51 PM	#14
Wilhelm User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 365 Thanks: 48 Thanked 136 Times in 60 Posts	This area. I hope you don't mind me reusing your picture. If you do, just let me know and I will delete it. By the way, you take some schweet detail pictures!! __________________ translatedfrenchmanuals@yahoo.com I promise to be nice and play well with others

10-30-2010, 06:27 PM	#16
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,245 Thanks: 125 Thanked 715 Times in 372 Posts	I would take it out for a test run just to make sure. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

10-30-2010, 10:00 PM	#18
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	What does the trigger feel like when you "dry fire" it (using a snap cap if possible)? If it's crisp and there is adequate distance to the trigger pull, it's likely OK. It might have been bent to compensate for a problem with the trigger transfer bar (attached to the back of the trigger plate). If it goes off with next to no takeup movement of the trigger it could be a problem, particularly if it interferes with the sear bar reset plunger (at the front of the sear bar). A messed with trigger / transfer bar / sear can be a safety problem. You can't tell everything with dry firing since there are different dynamics with live rounds going off. Rather than try and bend the top of the trigger back into position, consider getting a replacement trigger and setting this one aside (properly numbered to the gun). There are gunsmiths on this board that have the specialized knowledge needed to effect proper trigger adjustments on Lugers. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-30-2010, 11:07 PM	#20
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,245 Thanks: 125 Thanked 715 Times in 372 Posts	Exactly when you fix it fire it. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary