1917 German luger

fredt · 01-06-2012, 08:03 PM

Good evening ,wish I had a great story about this gun but I got this when my grandmother passed . It was my fathers and she had it at her house because with 7 kids in our house growing up my mother didn't want to take any chances ! I really don't know much about this ,I did get it registered at the local police department so it is legal ! I'm curious about the history and value ,any help would be greatly appreciated !!!!

Edward Tinker · 01-06-2012, 08:14 PM

Welcome to the forum Fred.

I assume you live somewhere where you were worried about having it registered? As I have lived in a number of states where I would not even consider taking it and having it registered, because it was not required!

Anyway, nice holster

You have a WW1 DWM (I assume, since you did not show the top of the gun).

What is it dated?

Shame the matching magazine is cracked, but still nice to have.

Ed

lugerholsterrepair · 01-06-2012, 08:20 PM

Do you have a round in the chamber? Your live round indicator/extractor says you do!

fredt · 01-06-2012, 08:32 PM

Is there a safe way of checking ??

fredt · 01-06-2012, 08:43 PM

...here's the story with that ,my bro is a big gun guy and he borrowed it about a month ago to show it to his father in-law ,now I'm thinking he shot it after I told him not to ,it's been in a case since & this is the first time I've taken it out since he borrowed it ! I'm going to freaking kill him !!!!!

fredt · 01-06-2012, 08:44 PM

..not for real...lol

Ron Wood · 01-06-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredt

Is there a safe way of checking ??

KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER. Since your gun has the relieved sear bar (nevermind what that means for now) leave the gun on "safe" (the GESICERT mark will be visible). Remove the magazine and pull back on the toggle knobs as far as they will go. If there is a round in the chamber, it will be ejected.

lugerholsterrepair · 01-06-2012, 08:51 PM

Fred, Remove the magazine from the pistol by pushing the button behind the trigger on the left side..the magazine will likely fall down at least enough to be withdrawn easily. Look to see if there is any ammunition in the magazine.
The pistol is on safe according to the photo's you show. It should be safe to remove the magazine.
Take the pistol outside to soft ground..point it at the ground in your left hand and push the safety forward to the fire position. Grasp the toggle knobs on the top of the pistol and pull up and back. Remember to keep your finger OUT of the trigger guard. When you pull up and back on the toggle the round in the chamber will eject and likely lock the toggle in the rearward position making the weapon safe.

fredt · 01-06-2012, 09:03 PM

It's all good ,nothing in the chamber...phew

...here's a couple more pics

fredt · 01-06-2012, 09:06 PM

Me & the bro will have words for sure ...

Ron Wood · 01-06-2012, 09:00 PM

Jerry,
The toggle will not lock back without an empty mag in the gun. Otherwise, your procedure is OK.

Edward Tinker · 01-06-2012, 09:15 PM

uhhh, the extractor shouldn't have been up unless there was something in the chamber? Maybe it was sticking?

AND any gun should be treated as loaded until proven otherwise, in other words, when handed a gun, hold safely away from anyone and 'clear' it (open and check chamber) and trust me, even guys who handle guns all the time screw up and don't always remember.....

Ed

fredt · 01-06-2012, 09:18 PM

...it was sticking ...

mrerick · 01-06-2012, 09:34 PM

Hi Fred, and welcome to the forum.

Your 1917 DWM pistol s/n 1981f looks like it's probably all matching, and in it's original finish.

Even with the pitting damage on the trigger plate, it is a collectable pistol, so you should avoid anything that could break a number matching part (like shooting it), and not attempt to do things that could damage the finish or the grips.

You also have a very collectable 1913 pre WW-I holster.

Don't store your pistol in the holster. The tanning chemicals can, over time, cause the kind of pitting you see on the trigger plate.

It would be a good idea to clean the pistol. If you're unfamiliar with how to disassemble it, check the resources on this site. If you remove the trips, use an exactly properly sized screwdriver tip to avoid galling the screw slots, and then be very careful about removing the grips. The left grip can very easily be broken near the safety lever if you lift it too far off of the frame.

This site has a participant that is an absolute master at restoring magazines. Don't attempt to dis-assemble your magazine. It takes the special jigs G.T. has put together and his experience to do the job right. It can repair your magazine and make it like new.

After your pistol has been detail stripped and cleaned, keep it lightly oiled with a preserving gun oil like Rem Oil, Kroil or something similar.

Don't try and clean or soften the holster. Jerry Burney on this board is the expert on holsters. Check by posting questions before you do anything that can't be reversed.

Congratulations on a family heirloom that is also valuable both in the sense of the history it represents and financially.

Marc

fredt · 01-07-2012, 08:32 AM

Thank you all for all the help !!

What would the value be on this ?? Thanks again !!!

DavidJayUden · 01-07-2012, 09:41 AM

Ballpark guestimate with repaired matching mag, gun cleaned up, with 1913 holster, $1500 retail.
dju

01-06-2012, 08:14 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,607 Times in 2,123 Posts	Welcome to the forum Fred. I assume you live somewhere where you were worried about having it registered? As I have lived in a number of states where I would not even consider taking it and having it registered, because it was not required! Anyway, nice holster You have a WW1 DWM (I assume, since you did not show the top of the gun). What is it dated? Shame the matching magazine is cracked, but still nice to have. 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

01-06-2012, 08:20 PM	#3
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,134 Times in 1,439 Posts	Do you have a round in the chamber? Your live round indicator/extractor says you do! __________________ 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."

01-06-2012, 08:51 PM	#8
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,134 Times in 1,439 Posts	Fred, Remove the magazine from the pistol by pushing the button behind the trigger on the left side..the magazine will likely fall down at least enough to be withdrawn easily. Look to see if there is any ammunition in the magazine. The pistol is on safe according to the photo's you show. It should be safe to remove the magazine. Take the pistol outside to soft ground..point it at the ground in your left hand and push the safety forward to the fire position. Grasp the toggle knobs on the top of the pistol and pull up and back. Remember to keep your finger OUT of the trigger guard. When you pull up and back on the toggle the round in the chamber will eject and likely lock the toggle in the rearward position making the weapon safe. __________________ 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."

01-06-2012, 09:00 PM	#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: 7,051 Thanks: 1,119 Thanked 5,286 Times in 1,728 Posts	Jerry, The toggle will not lock back without an empty mag in the gun. Otherwise, your procedure is OK. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

01-06-2012, 09:15 PM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,607 Times in 2,123 Posts	uhhh, the extractor shouldn't have been up unless there was something in the chamber? Maybe it was sticking? AND any gun should be treated as loaded until proven otherwise, in other words, when handed a gun, hold safely away from anyone and 'clear' it (open and check chamber) and trust me, even guys who handle guns all the time screw up and don't always remember..... 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

01-06-2012, 08:32 PM	#4
fredt User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is there a safe way of checking ??

01-06-2012, 08:43 PM	#5
fredt User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	...here's the story with that ,my bro is a big gun guy and he borrowed it about a month ago to show it to his father in-law ,now I'm thinking he shot it after I told him not to ,it's been in a case since & this is the first time I've taken it out since he borrowed it ! I'm going to freaking kill him !!!!!

01-06-2012, 08:44 PM	#6
fredt User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	..not for real...lol

01-06-2012, 09:06 PM	#10
fredt User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Me & the bro will have words for sure ...

01-06-2012, 09:18 PM	#13
fredt User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	...it was sticking ...

01-06-2012, 09:34 PM	#14
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,925 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,139 Times in 1,520 Posts	Hi Fred, and welcome to the forum. Your 1917 DWM pistol s/n 1981f looks like it's probably all matching, and in it's original finish. Even with the pitting damage on the trigger plate, it is a collectable pistol, so you should avoid anything that could break a number matching part (like shooting it), and not attempt to do things that could damage the finish or the grips. You also have a very collectable 1913 pre WW-I holster. Don't store your pistol in the holster. The tanning chemicals can, over time, cause the kind of pitting you see on the trigger plate. It would be a good idea to clean the pistol. If you're unfamiliar with how to disassemble it, check the resources on this site. If you remove the trips, use an exactly properly sized screwdriver tip to avoid galling the screw slots, and then be very careful about removing the grips. The left grip can very easily be broken near the safety lever if you lift it too far off of the frame. This site has a participant that is an absolute master at restoring magazines. Don't attempt to dis-assemble your magazine. It takes the special jigs G.T. has put together and his experience to do the job right. It can repair your magazine and make it like new. After your pistol has been detail stripped and cleaned, keep it lightly oiled with a preserving gun oil like Rem Oil, Kroil or something similar. Don't try and clean or soften the holster. Jerry Burney on this board is the expert on holsters. Check by posting questions before you do anything that can't be reversed. Congratulations on a family heirloom that is also valuable both in the sense of the history it represents and financially. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-07-2012, 08:32 AM	#15
fredt User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you all for all the help !! What would the value be on this ?? Thanks again !!!

01-07-2012, 09:41 AM	#16
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Ballpark guestimate with repaired matching mag, gun cleaned up, with 1913 holster, $1500 retail. dju