Nickel Luger

Historian · 02-21-2008, 11:11 AM

Could anyone give me an idea about this nickel luger? Worth? Rarity? History?

Thanks in Advance!

Edward Tinker · 02-21-2008, 11:37 AM

worth $450-$600

There were NO nickle plated or chromed lugers made for military production.

It was very common after the war to "make them special", but unfortunately this ruined their collector value.

to at least give you an "history" on the gun, you'd have to give us information? toggle markings? year stamped on it (or lack there of), proofs and acceptance on right and / or left.

Ed

John Sabato · 02-21-2008, 11:49 AM

That said. I kinda like the grips. Welcome to the Lugerforum.

Ron Smith · 02-21-2008, 11:49 AM

The grips are beautifully done. This doesn't look like a quicky chrome shop job.

Give us lots of good clear photos.

Historian · 02-22-2008, 07:24 PM

Update on older post: I assumed this was a nickel plated Luger. It now appear it's chromed. Anyone's opinion is appreciated.

Thanks.....

Historian · 02-22-2008, 07:25 PM

Pic of top

Historian · 02-22-2008, 07:26 PM

I'll try again for stamps on frame....

Historian · 02-22-2008, 07:31 PM

Pic under barrel

Historian · 02-22-2008, 07:38 PM

Under barrel pic

Ron Smith · 02-22-2008, 07:45 PM

How about some good clear photo of the grips.

Historian · 02-22-2008, 07:52 PM

Grip pic #1

Historian · 02-22-2008, 07:53 PM

Grip #2

Went Blakely · 02-24-2008, 12:49 PM

i quite like the grips too, interesting

policeluger · 02-24-2008, 01:07 PM

Matching clip, beautiful grips, interesting shield inlaid in grip....this is the first plated Luger to ever capture my interest and is worthy of research....very interesting.

Historian · 02-24-2008, 09:02 PM

Any ideas on how to research this Luger would be appreciated. I have looked at a bunch of photos but can't come up with anything.

Thanks..............

lugerholsterrepair · 02-24-2008, 09:37 PM

Historian, Unless you have some past provenance to start, like who captured it or who had it chromed you are dead in the water there. You can research the pistols military past but that is very limited. Made by mauser in (date over chamber). Other than that there are no bread crumbs to follow back...

In my opinion, this pistol is worthy of restoration. The proofs are sharp, the pistol does not appear to have been heavily buffed befor the chrome was applied.
You could have it de-chromed and blued again but it would take some dedication. The matching mag is a real plus.
The grips are fascinating. Some real craftsmanship went into the checkering!
The medallion is likely the monogram of the fellow who had this work done...
Like Howard says, this is the first chrome Luger that didn't make me sick at seeing a beautiful Military ruined....

Jerry Burney

John Sabato · 02-25-2008, 09:55 AM

Absolutely beautiful custom grips...

I am somewhat in agreement with Jerry, I would say that this gun probably got chromed without first being buffed... just deblued first. The gun is in excellent condition.

It would be expensive to return it to blued condition...several hundred dollars in the very least. If it were mine, I think I would leave this one in it's customized state and see if you can find out it's history of ownership since it came back after the war. That custom work on the grips might be the only lead you have since they are definitely not off the shelf.

Craig · 02-25-2008, 12:49 PM

Hugh
Do you think you can duplicate the checkering on the grips?

Larrys Lugers · 02-26-2008, 12:48 PM

Dear Craig, Over the last 60 years of collecting Lugers I have come across many plated Lugers. I have found that the nickel plated ones were done early post war. And the chrome plated ones were done late post war. I have passed on most all of them,except the very clean ones such as yours. I have a byf-42 that has been nickel plated, and it is extreemly clean with very deep markings. I also have an 1917 Artillery that has been nickel plated, very clean with stag grips. I would leave yours as is. Larry

Ron Smith · 02-26-2008, 01:32 PM

Michael,

I agree with Larry,

Restoring it won't necessarily increase the desirability or value. It will always be a restored Luger.

I would leave it alone. This is not a bumper shop chrome job. It looks to be a very nicely nickeled piece ( chrome tends to be thicker) with a beautiful rich patina hue to it. And the grips are very nicely done to compliment it.

If you decide to sell it? I might be interested in it.

Ron

02-21-2008, 11:49 AM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	That said. I kinda like the grips. Welcome to the Lugerforum. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-21-2008, 11:49 AM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	The grips are beautifully done. This doesn't look like a quicky chrome shop job. Give us lots of good clear photos. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

02-22-2008, 07:24 PM	#5
Historian User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New pics chrome? nickel Luger Update on older post: I assumed this was a nickel plated Luger. It now appear it's chromed. Anyone's opinion is appreciated. Thanks..... Attached Thumbnails

02-22-2008, 07:25 PM	#6
Historian User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Chromed Luger Pic of top Attached Thumbnails

02-22-2008, 07:26 PM	#7
Historian User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Chrome Luger I'll try again for stamps on frame.... Attached Thumbnails

02-21-2008, 11:11 AM	#1
Historian User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Nickel Luger Could anyone give me an idea about this nickel luger? Worth? Rarity? History? Thanks in Advance! Attached Thumbnails

02-21-2008, 11:37 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,962 Thanks: 2,063 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	worth $450-$600 There were NO nickle plated or chromed lugers made for military production. It was very common after the war to "make them special", but unfortunately this ruined their collector value. to at least give you an "history" on the gun, you'd have to give us information? toggle markings? year stamped on it (or lack there of), proofs and acceptance on right and / or left. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

02-22-2008, 07:31 PM	#8
Historian User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Chromed Luger Pic under barrel Attached Thumbnails

02-22-2008, 07:38 PM	#9
Historian User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Last chromed Luger pic Under barrel pic Attached Thumbnails

02-22-2008, 07:45 PM	#10
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	How about some good clear photo of the grips. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

02-22-2008, 07:52 PM	#11
Historian User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Chromed Luger grip pic Grip pic #1 Attached Thumbnails

02-22-2008, 07:53 PM	#12
Historian User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Chromed Luger grip pic [#2] Grip #2 Attached Thumbnails

02-24-2008, 12:49 PM	#13
Went Blakely User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 231 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	i quite like the grips too, interesting __________________ Went Blakely

02-24-2008, 01:07 PM	#14
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Matching clip, beautiful grips, interesting shield inlaid in grip....this is the first plated Luger to ever capture my interest and is worthy of research....very interesting.

02-24-2008, 09:02 PM	#15
Historian User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Western NC Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Any ideas on how to research this Luger would be appreciated. I have looked at a bunch of photos but can't come up with anything. Thanks..............

02-24-2008, 09:37 PM	#16
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	Historian, Unless you have some past provenance to start, like who captured it or who had it chromed you are dead in the water there. You can research the pistols military past but that is very limited. Made by mauser in (date over chamber). Other than that there are no bread crumbs to follow back... In my opinion, this pistol is worthy of restoration. The proofs are sharp, the pistol does not appear to have been heavily buffed befor the chrome was applied. You could have it de-chromed and blued again but it would take some dedication. The matching mag is a real plus. The grips are fascinating. Some real craftsmanship went into the checkering! The medallion is likely the monogram of the fellow who had this work done... Like Howard says, this is the first chrome Luger that didn't make me sick at seeing a beautiful Military ruined.... 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."

02-25-2008, 09:55 AM	#17
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Absolutely beautiful custom grips... I am somewhat in agreement with Jerry, I would say that this gun probably got chromed without first being buffed... just deblued first. The gun is in excellent condition. It would be expensive to return it to blued condition...several hundred dollars in the very least. If it were mine, I think I would leave this one in it's customized state and see if you can find out it's history of ownership since it came back after the war. That custom work on the grips might be the only lead you have since they are definitely not off the shelf. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-25-2008, 12:49 PM	#18
Craig User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 58 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hugh Do you think you can duplicate the checkering on the grips? __________________ In God we trust, all others we monitor!

02-26-2008, 12:48 PM	#19
Larrys Lugers User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ogden Utah Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dear Craig, Over the last 60 years of collecting Lugers I have come across many plated Lugers. I have found that the nickel plated ones were done early post war. And the chrome plated ones were done late post war. I have passed on most all of them,except the very clean ones such as yours. I have a byf-42 that has been nickel plated, and it is extreemly clean with very deep markings. I also have an 1917 Artillery that has been nickel plated, very clean with stag grips. I would leave yours as is. Larry __________________ Larrys Lugers

02-26-2008, 01:32 PM	#20
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Michael, I agree with Larry, Restoring it won't necessarily increase the desirability or value. It will always be a restored Luger. I would leave it alone. This is not a bumper shop chrome job. It looks to be a very nicely nickeled piece ( chrome tends to be thicker) with a beautiful rich patina hue to it. And the grips are very nicely done to compliment it. If you decide to sell it? I might be interested in it. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...