Another new guy looking for help or info.

rick246 · 02-02-2011, 01:36 AM

Hi, my name is Rick. I have a mis-matched Luger passed down from my father. He bought it from a guy in the late 40's (probably from a GI) who needed money for college. It has pretty much sat in a dresser drawer till now. I know it is mis-matched so I am wondering are there places to look for matching parts. Frame and grips are 4098 while the toggle mechanism and barrel are 1701. If not what might this gun be worth for sale or trade.

Thanks for your assistance.

alanint · 02-02-2011, 07:35 AM

Welcome to the forum!
Your gun as a mismatch is worth from $500-$700, depending on your location and how bad someone wants it.
The chances of making it all matching with the correct parts are slim to none. It is what it is.
It looks like a good shooter and a nice heirloom from your dad.

Edward Tinker · 02-02-2011, 09:03 AM

I have owned 2 of these exact same of lugers, at some point two guns were sitting side by side and when put together they were swapped.

I assume GI's, because to many of them, if it looked the same, it was the same I have always guessed....

Ed

DavidJayUden · 02-02-2011, 09:09 AM

Value of a mismatched shooter, $500 to maybe $800 max.
Value of getting said shooter from Dad? Priceless.
Your gun looks to be a very nice gun, regardless of matching numbers. I know not of your situation, but that gun will cost nothing to own, and will appreciate over time. And you can shoot it. Hint, hint...
dju

alanint · 02-02-2011, 09:31 AM

These parts swaps are known to Early Colt revolver collectors as "campfire" switches. Troops would routinely lay a blanket out around the campfire and strip the main components from their revolvers, throw them on the blanket and replace parts onto their guns as they cleaned them. In the rather unique case of early Colts, the switched part is usually only serial numbers off the balance of the gun, as revolvers were issued in serial blocks to each unit.

02-02-2011, 01:36 AM	#1
rick246 New User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 4 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another new guy looking for help or info. Hi, my name is Rick. I have a mis-matched Luger passed down from my father. He bought it from a guy in the late 40's (probably from a GI) who needed money for college. It has pretty much sat in a dresser drawer till now. I know it is mis-matched so I am wondering are there places to look for matching parts. Frame and grips are 4098 while the toggle mechanism and barrel are 1701. If not what might this gun be worth for sale or trade. Thanks for your assistance. Attached Thumbnails

02-02-2011, 09:03 AM	#3
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	I have owned 2 of these exact same of lugers, at some point two guns were sitting side by side and when put together they were swapped. I assume GI's, because to many of them, if it looked the same, it was the same I have always guessed.... 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

02-02-2011, 07:35 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Welcome to the forum! Your gun as a mismatch is worth from $500-$700, depending on your location and how bad someone wants it. The chances of making it all matching with the correct parts are slim to none. It is what it is. It looks like a good shooter and a nice heirloom from your dad.

02-02-2011, 09:09 AM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Value of a mismatched shooter, $500 to maybe $800 max. Value of getting said shooter from Dad? Priceless. Your gun looks to be a very nice gun, regardless of matching numbers. I know not of your situation, but that gun will cost nothing to own, and will appreciate over time. And you can shoot it. Hint, hint... dju

02-02-2011, 09:31 AM	#5
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	These parts swaps are known to Early Colt revolver collectors as "campfire" switches. Troops would routinely lay a blanket out around the campfire and strip the main components from their revolvers, throw them on the blanket and replace parts onto their guns as they cleaned them. In the rather unique case of early Colts, the switched part is usually only serial numbers off the balance of the gun, as revolvers were issued in serial blocks to each unit.