Lugar's Worth??

A former WWII vet is going into a nursing home, and is selling some of his belonging. One item is a Gesichert 75 German Luger, with 2 clips, and holster. He got the gun when his group over ran a German town. The Germans fled over nite leaving it on a shelf. When he found it, he said it was covered in a flim of grease. His thinking was that it was a new one. I have taken a look at it, and it looks as new as you could expect for a gun this old. The Blueing and barrel and grips are in top shape. The Holster is sort of marroon in color and is in execellent conditon, no cracking. As far as all the numbers matching, that I don't know. My guessing is that they are. Or did the Germans switch parts alot of the time? Its a 30 cal.and has like a 4 in. barrel. The serial number is 6175. The owner has only fire several rounds through it, in all the years that he's had it. I don't know alot about the Luger's, but I'm a WWII nut and would like to purchase it. Could I get some idea's on what this gun might be worth.

Thanks!

If it had a film of grease and was in the holster all those years--might be the holster is oily and not much value--one magazine might also be rusted from sitting in holster. Anyway, a 30 cal (7.65mm) luger is probably one of the commercial sales varieties made before WW1 or during the 1920s. Sold in large numbers in the US and other countries in the 1920s, the information needed to determine its type is in the serial number --look on the front of the frame beneath the barrel and note either the 5-digit or 4-digit followed by a letter serial number. That should help determine what it is. The condition of the pistol and accessories will determine the value. The slang term "matching" actually refers to parts originality. If the last two digits of the serial number appear on most of the parts inside and outside the pistol, the parts are probably original factory parts. The Germans did not switch parts around but it is common to see the magazine replaced. The holster, extra magazine, and maintenance tool add importantly to the value of one of these. The common commercial lugers have modest values ranging up to $900 without accessories.


(as a trivia note--there are no clips in lugers only magazines)

Dear Rockjock -


1. It's Luger, with an 'e'.

2. 'Gesichert'means 'made safe' in German.

3. Where is the number '75' to be seen?

4. Have a look at the technical/general info links on the left - it'll give you a good idea of what to look for on this interesting piece.


Regards


Terry F

Sorry I didn't have more info on the gun. I will get another peak at it later in the week. Then I will write down all the markings. What I did get though was, its a DWM, that marking was on the top. And the 75 was on the top of the reciever also. The serial # is 6175. And neither magazine had any rust. As for the inside of the holster, I don't recall it being oily, but will check that again too. Thanks alot for the help. I don't want over pay for this, and you help is greatly apreciated.

It takes some study to evaluate a luger--lots of fitted parts and a huge number of varieties. As for holsters, it is just as bad without the books available to help evalute them! It is not hard to talk someone through an evaluation but through email it can be ambiguous. Look at most of the external parts and if they have the last two numerical digits of the s/n on them, you have a good start. If it looks old but correct in terms of parts, finish, and feel--you are getting more good information. That said, your serial number appears incomplete--the four digits suggest a military style serial number but lots of commercials have that style numbering in the 1920's. There is a letter that should be after the s/n--look on the frame under the barrel.


The markings are important--particularly the s/n, any grip strap markings, and inspection stamps on the right of the chamber area. See what is there.


Without accurate info about the finish originality, though, valuation is difficult. It could be $350 to 900 for the pistol alone. If in working order, you won't get burned if you pay under $400. Good luck,

dm