newbie needs help!

Janosk · 06-20-2003, 05:53 PM

Hi All,
This is my first post, so please be gentle! :-) I've always wanted a luger, and now that I have my c&r license, I've been looking for a nice one. I've been talking to a fellow about acquiring one of his in a trade, and was wondering if some kind soul out there could help me place a value on it. I know precious little about these pistols, but have been involved long enough with antiques to know that it doesn't take much to make something which you think is very valuable plummet in price. I don't know how to post pics, but can forward them to someone if needed. Anyway, the other party has described the pistol as follows:

Luger WWIIChamber date 1936 S42 Nazi proofs- non import,matching- Finish 97% or better clean bore, excellent wood grips, excellent aluminum mag. Serial 2762

Thanks for the help!!
John
Janosk3@aol.com

Edward Tinker · 06-20-2003, 07:22 PM

John, are you buying it as a collector piece or as a shooter piece?

Makes a difference, of course.

Anyway, I am unsure of value, I went to Simpson's Ltd; and they had these:

MAUSER S/42 1936, 9mm; 98% blue, 98% straw, mint bore, excellent grips, an exceptionally bright & pretty Luger, $2100.00

MAUSER S/42 1936, 9mm; 95% blue, 90% straw, very good bore, very good grips, $1395.00

Notice the huge differnce in price between these almost the same Lugers. I would be careful about any Luger over 96% blue, as the price jumps, and no offense to you or your friend, but are you sure it hasn't been reblued at some point?

So it really depends and ensure it is all matching.

and welcome to the forum,

Ed

Frank · 06-20-2003, 10:18 PM

Hi John, WELCOME!!

Ed's comments are absolutely correct. If the pistol is as good as it is described, you probably don't want to shoot it for fear of breaking a numbered part, thus reducing the value drastically. On another note, don't forget that the price from Bob Simpson has been inflated to account for profit, overhead, etc.

The value will depend on condition, so a photo or two would help!!

Good Luck and Good Hunting!

Jim Keenan · 06-21-2003, 01:39 AM

I rather lucked out on a "Russian" Luger, reblued but with all matching numbers (yes, I do know original numbers when I see them) except for the magazine, which is six digits off. The barrel is good, but not perfect. There is a small amount of blued-over rust under the grips. A very good shooter, all matching and for under $500.

I am a bit frightened by the prices today. I have a 99%+ S/42 with nice holster and two matching mags, one with the "+". The gun has never been fired; the second magazine has never had a round in it. Got that one only a few years ago for $750.

Jim

06-20-2003, 05:53 PM	#1
Janosk New User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	newbie needs help! Hi All, This is my first post, so please be gentle! :-) I've always wanted a luger, and now that I have my c&r license, I've been looking for a nice one. I've been talking to a fellow about acquiring one of his in a trade, and was wondering if some kind soul out there could help me place a value on it. I know precious little about these pistols, but have been involved long enough with antiques to know that it doesn't take much to make something which you think is very valuable plummet in price. I don't know how to post pics, but can forward them to someone if needed. Anyway, the other party has described the pistol as follows: Luger WWIIChamber date 1936 S42 Nazi proofs- non import,matching- Finish 97% or better clean bore, excellent wood grips, excellent aluminum mag. Serial 2762 Thanks for the help!! John Janosk3@aol.com

06-20-2003, 07:22 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 4,608 Times in 2,123 Posts	John, are you buying it as a collector piece or as a shooter piece? Makes a difference, of course. Anyway, I am unsure of value, I went to Simpson's Ltd; and they had these: MAUSER S/42 1936, 9mm; 98% blue, 98% straw, mint bore, excellent grips, an exceptionally bright & pretty Luger, $2100.00 MAUSER S/42 1936, 9mm; 95% blue, 90% straw, very good bore, very good grips, $1395.00 Notice the huge differnce in price between these almost the same Lugers. I would be careful about any Luger over 96% blue, as the price jumps, and no offense to you or your friend, but are you sure it hasn't been reblued at some point? So it really depends and ensure it is all matching. and 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

06-20-2003, 10:18 PM	#3
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 165 Times in 87 Posts	Hi John, WELCOME!! Ed's comments are absolutely correct. If the pistol is as good as it is described, you probably don't want to shoot it for fear of breaking a numbered part, thus reducing the value drastically. On another note, don't forget that the price from Bob Simpson has been inflated to account for profit, overhead, etc. The value will depend on condition, so a photo or two would help!! Good Luck and Good Hunting!

06-21-2003, 01:39 AM	#4
Jim Keenan User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 184 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I rather lucked out on a "Russian" Luger, reblued but with all matching numbers (yes, I do know original numbers when I see them) except for the magazine, which is six digits off. The barrel is good, but not perfect. There is a small amount of blued-over rust under the grips. A very good shooter, all matching and for under $500. I am a bit frightened by the prices today. I have a 99%+ S/42 with nice holster and two matching mags, one with the "+". The gun has never been fired; the second magazine has never had a round in it. Got that one only a few years ago for $750. Jim