Many Questions

AppleTree · 07-05-2007, 10:59 PM

I recently received this luger as a birthday present from my dad, who got it at an estate auction. As you can tell it is in bad shape, but there are still a lot of markings still visible. I was wondering if you could help me ID them, and tell me whatever you could about this gun.

What I know ( Sort of)
I have taken it to several people in the area, who have been able to tell me a few things. First off it seems to be older then it was sold as. The auction house had it listed as a WWII luger, the gun shop in town however told me it is clearly a WWI production. Other then that they could not tell me anything, their books only went as far bask as WWII and some general information, like the supposed production date and city, as well as identifying that the markings on the side of the barrel were British. These are almost totally gone, so aside from a few numbers and Ã¢??TONÃ¢?Â there is nothing left. There are some other markings in the photos that I would like to know about, as well as the oddity concerning the stamped numbers I assume are the serial, although the notching on the underside of the barrel looks to line up, the serial is different and stamped over on one part.

As for getting it repaired, that gun shop told me it was a waste of time, then tried to buy it, then tried to sell me a gun case for it. Another gun shop told me it looks to still be operational, as long as I don't put any high power rounds in it. Two others I talked two said it is still easily repairable, but labor intensive and costly. The gunsmith I talked to about getting it fixed was willing to do all the work I wanted on it, for around 300 $. Now then, does this sound like a fair price, and how much do you all estimate it to be worth, not that I care to sell it, but it could give me a further idea of what to dump into getting it fixed.

I may have more specific questions ( probably going through all the markings I can find until I find answers concerning them all, because I am picky and curious) later. I hope these pictures work, as I am computer incompetent.

So either I only got one pic uploaded, or eight of the same one.

Dwight Gruber · 07-05-2007, 11:22 PM

Trevor,

Welcome to the Forum.

Only one pucture showed up, it shows your gun is a WWI Erfurt-manufactured Luger, made in 1918.

Looking forward to the other pictures in order to answer your other questions.

What exactly is the work your gunsmith has quoted you $300 for?

--Dwight

AppleTree · 07-05-2007, 11:32 PM

Well, if I could get the pic to work, you could see that the barrel is either a little or highly corroded, depending on who you ask. Gunsmith said he could fix that, bore out the crown, and mend all the cosmetic damage you see there.

Until I can get over my inability to do anything with computers, I could post a link to all the pics I have, if they are still on my friends site.

jamese · 07-06-2007, 06:20 AM

Dwight,
how could you tell it was a 1918 ? I must be missing someting

I can see that its an Erfurt

Jim

katch · 07-06-2007, 08:48 AM

It looks like it may very well be shootable, but I doubt you could restore it. It clearly, has lost too much material off the barrel and trigger guard (as for what I can see). I'm assuming that a $300 restoration is probably a go on the belt sander and a quick reblue.

Edward Tinker · 07-06-2007, 10:39 AM

close ups are great, but you have to also give us information. (plus full left, full right and a top shot)

What are the markings on it?

Any other items came with it.

It is not a "collectable" piece, as the rusting and pitting is too severe. That said, don't just let a "gunsmith" just have free reign on it. No offense, but a gun smith or gun shop for that matter, simply does not know much about lugers.

Welcome to the forum,

Ed

Dwight Gruber · 07-06-2007, 11:18 AM

Jim,

The original single photograph (no longer in the post) was the receiver top and the toggles.

--Dwight

AppleTree · 07-06-2007, 12:40 PM

Actually the fix was to re-weld the barrel and any "cosmetic" damage over the course of the next month or so to keep it from warping, then sanding it back down and reblue. At least I guess you would call it a re weld, whatever adding to the damaged spots would be.

MFC · 07-06-2007, 08:36 PM

Trevor,
I think $300 is a good price for what you described, (IF) he does a good job. Just like anyhting else, some are really good at there craft and others are lousy. So be careful. Don't expect a restoration for that price. But it might make it a good looking shooter. A restoration is one thing, sanding and reblueing another. If it were me, I'd have it done, if I wanted to keep it.
BTW, a good looking shooter sells for $500 - $700 range.
Mike C.

Karl · 07-10-2007, 09:09 AM

AppleTree,

Despite extensive rust damage to frame, etc., much of the gun appears to be in good condition. There appears to be a cross hatched scar on the front of the right frame rail that suggests the frame was clamped in a vice. If the receiver is not too damaged you might consider replacing the frame and barrel instead of the "fix" job. KFS

John Sabato · 07-10-2007, 10:17 AM

make sure you ask for references for previous work at this level by this gunsmith to include before and after photos... otherwise, you will be $300 poorer and probably not happy with the finished product.

07-05-2007, 10:59 PM	#1
AppleTree New User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Many Questions I recently received this luger as a birthday present from my dad, who got it at an estate auction. As you can tell it is in bad shape, but there are still a lot of markings still visible. I was wondering if you could help me ID them, and tell me whatever you could about this gun. What I know ( Sort of) I have taken it to several people in the area, who have been able to tell me a few things. First off it seems to be older then it was sold as. The auction house had it listed as a WWII luger, the gun shop in town however told me it is clearly a WWI production. Other then that they could not tell me anything, their books only went as far bask as WWII and some general information, like the supposed production date and city, as well as identifying that the markings on the side of the barrel were British. These are almost totally gone, so aside from a few numbers and Ã¢??TONÃ¢?Â there is nothing left. There are some other markings in the photos that I would like to know about, as well as the oddity concerning the stamped numbers I assume are the serial, although the notching on the underside of the barrel looks to line up, the serial is different and stamped over on one part. As for getting it repaired, that gun shop told me it was a waste of time, then tried to buy it, then tried to sell me a gun case for it. Another gun shop told me it looks to still be operational, as long as I don't put any high power rounds in it. Two others I talked two said it is still easily repairable, but labor intensive and costly. The gunsmith I talked to about getting it fixed was willing to do all the work I wanted on it, for around 300 $. Now then, does this sound like a fair price, and how much do you all estimate it to be worth, not that I care to sell it, but it could give me a further idea of what to dump into getting it fixed. I may have more specific questions ( probably going through all the markings I can find until I find answers concerning them all, because I am picky and curious) later. I hope these pictures work, as I am computer incompetent. So either I only got one pic uploaded, or eight of the same one.

07-06-2007, 06:20 AM	#4
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts	Dwight, how could you tell it was a 1918 ? I must be missing someting I can see that its an Erfurt Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

07-06-2007, 10:39 AM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	close ups are great, but you have to also give us information. (plus full left, full right and a top shot) What are the markings on it? Any other items came with it. It is not a "collectable" piece, as the rusting and pitting is too severe. That said, don't just let a "gunsmith" just have free reign on it. No offense, but a gun smith or gun shop for that matter, simply does not know much about lugers. Welcome to the forum, 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

07-06-2007, 08:36 PM	#9
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Trevor, I think $300 is a good price for what you described, (IF) he does a good job. Just like anyhting else, some are really good at there craft and others are lousy. So be careful. Don't expect a restoration for that price. But it might make it a good looking shooter. A restoration is one thing, sanding and reblueing another. If it were me, I'd have it done, if I wanted to keep it. BTW, a good looking shooter sells for $500 - $700 range. Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

07-10-2007, 10:17 AM	#11
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	make sure you ask for references for previous work at this level by this gunsmith to include before and after photos... otherwise, you will be $300 poorer and probably not happy with the finished product. __________________ 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..."*

07-05-2007, 11:22 PM	#2
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Trevor, Welcome to the Forum. Only one pucture showed up, it shows your gun is a WWI Erfurt-manufactured Luger, made in 1918. Looking forward to the other pictures in order to answer your other questions. What exactly is the work your gunsmith has quoted you $300 for? --Dwight

07-05-2007, 11:32 PM	#3
AppleTree New User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well, if I could get the pic to work, you could see that the barrel is either a little or highly corroded, depending on who you ask. Gunsmith said he could fix that, bore out the crown, and mend all the cosmetic damage you see there. Until I can get over my inability to do anything with computers, I could post a link to all the pics I have, if they are still on my friends site.

07-06-2007, 08:48 AM	#5
katch User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It looks like it may very well be shootable, but I doubt you could restore it. It clearly, has lost too much material off the barrel and trigger guard (as for what I can see). I'm assuming that a $300 restoration is probably a go on the belt sander and a quick reblue.

07-06-2007, 11:18 AM	#7
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Jim, The original single photograph (no longer in the post) was the receiver top and the toggles. --Dwight

07-06-2007, 12:40 PM	#8
AppleTree New User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Actually the fix was to re-weld the barrel and any "cosmetic" damage over the course of the next month or so to keep it from warping, then sanding it back down and reblue. At least I guess you would call it a re weld, whatever adding to the damaged spots would be.

07-10-2007, 09:09 AM	#10
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 530 Thanks: 0 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	AppleTree, Despite extensive rust damage to frame, etc., much of the gun appears to be in good condition. There appears to be a cross hatched scar on the front of the right frame rail that suggests the frame was clamped in a vice. If the receiver is not too damaged you might consider replacing the frame and barrel instead of the "fix" job. KFS