WWII Luger from German Prison Camp

[Gadgeteer]

Greetings, hope everyone is well!

My Uncle Harold was captured by Germans in WWII, escaped, kept the guard's jacket, watch, and Luger. (Ironically he and his wife were killed in 1951 out West in a head-on collision with a sleeping driver of a truck filled with bee hives.)

It was agreed in the mediation that I would get the Luger; but the safe-deposit box was drilled and emptied, and the Luger is "missing". Therefore it would be nice to acquire another.

Can someone please help me with what it may have been? Mauser, or DWM? The year was probably 1940-43. I would expect it to be a 1937 or earlier P08.

I would like one functional, to take to a firing range; therefore probably 9mm, I'm not into reloading. And I would like a matching holster.

If someone could suggest a source to purchase one (not for $3000-$6000), I would be doubly grateful. It doesn't have to be shiny new mint. I'm handicapped from a teen driver and a little limited on funds (the miracle was I acquired the house and all bills, and my three children that I inherited--two with fur, one with feathers).

My eternal gratitude in advance for your assistance!

[velodog455~]

I don't think there would be any way to definitively know. I agree with you that weapons for prison guards would not necessarily be new issue P.08's as the highest priority for new pistols would be front line troops. Prison guards would be a much lower priority, IMHO.

I would further speculate that it might easily have been a reissued WW1 P.08, or even a 1920's Weimar pistol pressed into service.

Perhaps someone that knows more about prison camp issue weapons can chime in with better information.

So... acquiring a shooter-grade Luger of almost any time period would serve your purposes, as far as I am concerned. A shooter-grade Luger would typically be refinished, have a few mis-matched serial numbered parts, and or sport an import mark. Other factors could come into play but the ones I noted are probably the 3 most common. FWIW, I have several shooter grade P.08's and they range in price (what I paid) from $950-$1,150. Hope this helps.
-Bob

[Gadgeteer]

Thanks, Bob. It didn't occur to me they may have scavenged older equipment. Sure wish I had a picture--maybe I could call brother-in-law and ask for a pic? (Nah, wouldn't work--they won't answer phone calls from me anyway...)

What's a good place to get a shooter-grade 9mm? The local biannual gun show is coming up in October, it's really big. If I could get one from there (or a place someone here recommends) for under a thousand that would be great. I've looked online, $3000 is common. Is a Mauser better than DWM? I'm kinda green on this.

Protection is another consideration. we're having a real problem here with homeless--they're breaking into everywhere they can. Hit me in June (ripped off the storm door, then ripped a hole in the garage). Eighth breakin, I usually catch them with the wireless alarm. I learned in 2016 it's a whole lot better to avoid confrontation and let the police handle it if I have a choice...

[velodog455~]

Gunboards, the Jan Still Luger Forum, and this (Luger Forum) all have buy & Sell forums. Most forums require that you have a minimum number of posts before you can start using them, although most forums do allow you to look at what's for sale so you can kinda get a better idea of what to look for.

I would say that you should sign up to both of the first two forums above and start you education. Most forum members are happy to share knowledge and they all have FAQ sections that are very educational.

Finally, there is always (shudder) GunBroker. I have bought I think about 5 shooter grade P.08's from there that came out under $1,200 delivered. If you win an auction for a $1,000 pistol then expect to pay about an additional $150 in fees (shipping, sales tax, and FFL fees).

Also, I looked at the "completed auction" section of GunBroker and found several Lugers that actually sold for a winning bid price in the $1,100-$1,200 price range.

You should not have to spend more than about $1,200 to get a decent shooter. $3,000 for a shooter grade P.08 is nuts. Actually, the best deals are often on Weimar Republic P.08's made from 1920 to about 1929. These have no wartime collectibility like wartime pistols and therefore are often cheaper and in better condition than the wartime guns. Made in both .30 Luger and 9mm calibers. 9mm ammo is about 1/3 the price of .30 Luger, but if you don't shoot them much then its not so much of a big deal as to which caliber you get.

Opinions vary as to WW1 vs. WW2 P.08 desirability. I think a general consensus is that WW1 Lugers might be a bit better made, but WW2 Lugers do have better/improved steel. I have both types and in my opinion the one that has the best condition at the lowest price is the one to buy.

Theft protection is usually pretty simple. For the cost of one shooter grade Luger you can buy a simple gun safe and as long as it is bolted to the wall and/or floor it will provide theft protection from all but the most determined burglars.

If you only have one gun to protect then the price seems high and you might prefer cleverly hiding a single pistol. If you have 10 or more pistols and/or rifles it looks cheap. Hope all this helps.
-Bob

[8ftdinghy]

I am a new member here and that info helped me. I'm lernin'.