Inherited Luger -- from WWII

moetard · 05-01-2008, 07:12 PM

My father brought this back from WWII. I was wondering if it appears to have any collectible value ? and how much value ?

Thanks

moetard · 05-01-2008, 07:14 PM

I also have the case and belt.

Bob G · 05-01-2008, 10:11 PM

Judging by the looks of the side plate, the pistol was buffed way too much before a reblue job. That pretty much puts it into just a shooter category even if all matching. The belt and holster a very nice addition.

John Sabato · 05-01-2008, 11:48 PM

I agree with Bob... unfortunately the refinish job dramatically lowered the value of your Dad's Luger to just a shooter. You can enjoy shooting it without worrying about the value...

The holster and the belt on the other hand seem to be in excellent condition.

welcome to the Luger forum.

Went Blakely · 05-02-2008, 10:40 AM

You wouldn't happen to have any more photos of the belt/holster combo would you? It looks great from here!

moetard · 05-02-2008, 01:04 PM

What is a "reblue" job ? I am pretty sure my father didn't do anything with the gun after he returned from europe. It sat in his bottom dresser drawer for 60+ years.

John Sabato · 05-02-2008, 01:40 PM

A reblue is a re-polish of the metal surfaces, and then reapplication of the chemicals that turn the steel blue in order to reduce the tendency to rust.

If you look at the uneven lines on the sideplate of your Luger and compare them to other photos of the Luger sideplate, you can see that the sideplate on your Luger has been aggressively polished and "blurred" the straight lines made by machining... so much so that the last two digits of the serial number that should be on the exterior of the sideplate are almost invisible...

The other surfaces in your photos are too shiney to have been the original military finish for a P.08 made by Mauser... so this gun had to have been refinished. Perhaps it happened before you were old enough to even know the pistol existed in your household, but it did happen none-the-less.

Compare your photo of the left side with this other byf 41 Luger and see the crisp lines on the sideplate... this gun has the typical military type finish of the time... Yours has changed since being manufactured and issued to the German military.

lugerholsterrepair · 05-02-2008, 01:56 PM

Joe, The holster you show is not for a Luger pistol. It is for a P-38. I am surprised that Went, Tac and John did not spot this little detail! Perhaps they were concentrating on your pistol...Went has no excuse though!
Jerry Burney

Ron Smith · 05-02-2008, 02:11 PM

Here's another Mauser Luger. A 42 byf that Terry "tacfoley" asked me to post showing clearly defined edges and original salt blue finish.

John Sabato · 05-02-2008, 02:49 PM

Mr. TAC.. please check your EMAIL...

John Sabato · 05-02-2008, 03:10 PM

I DID notice that the left belt loop on the P.38 holster looks like it has been repaired... but not by Jerry... when Jerry fixes one, you can't tell it has been fixed!

moetard · 05-02-2008, 04:02 PM

So holster is not for the Luger, there was another pistol. I know the luger was always kept in the holster shown. This is the other gun.

John Sabato · 05-02-2008, 04:32 PM

That is a French "MAB" made pistol... probably a .32 ACP or 7.65 Auto caliber...

This is a P.38 that the holster that you have is designed for... the Luger will also fit it comfortably, but if you look on the back of your holster, you should see a P38 stamped into the leather usually on the top right hand side...

moetard · 05-02-2008, 04:45 PM

Both pistols are out of state at my sisters house so I can't see the other side until I go there in a couple weeks. I will take some photos myself.

I don't really know if my father relieve' somebody of the pistol, but I do know both came back with him from europe. The only thing he ever said was that the Luger came off a good man. My father never really talked about the 4 years he spent there. He always said he had no desire to go back.

What he did say was that he fought Rommel troops in N. Africa and ended the war in Como Italy. I think he called it "camp lucky strike"

Would the MAB have much value ?

John Sabato · 05-02-2008, 04:58 PM

I have relooked at the MAB and can faintly see 7.65mm on the bottom of the magazine.

As far as I know they are dependable pistols... just hard to get parts for...

Check gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com to see if anyone is selling anything like it to get an idea of value.

Went Blakely · 05-03-2008, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lugerholsterrepair
Joe, The holster you show is not for a Luger pistol. It is for a P-38. I am surprised that Went, Tac and John did not spot this little detail! Perhaps they were concentrating on your pistol...Went has no excuse though!
Jerry Burney

Hehe too busy admiring the belt, I don't see them very often at all. Having said that, i still had no idea it wasn't a P08 holster

05-01-2008, 07:12 PM	#1
moetard User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Inherited Luger -- from WWII My father brought this back from WWII. I was wondering if it appears to have any collectible value ? and how much value ? Thanks Attached Thumbnails

05-01-2008, 07:14 PM	#2
moetard User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I also have the case and belt. Attached Thumbnails

05-01-2008, 10:11 PM	#3
Bob G User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Judging by the looks of the side plate, the pistol was buffed way too much before a reblue job. That pretty much puts it into just a shooter category even if all matching. The belt and holster a very nice addition. __________________ Do It Right The First Time!

05-01-2008, 11:48 PM	#4
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	I agree with Bob... unfortunately the refinish job dramatically lowered the value of your Dad's Luger to just a shooter. You can enjoy shooting it without worrying about the value... The holster and the belt on the other hand seem to be in excellent condition. welcome to the Luger forum. __________________ 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..."*

05-02-2008, 10:40 AM	#5
Went Blakely User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 231 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	You wouldn't happen to have any more photos of the belt/holster combo would you? It looks great from here! __________________ Went Blakely

05-02-2008, 01:04 PM	#6
moetard User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What is a "reblue" job ? I am pretty sure my father didn't do anything with the gun after he returned from europe. It sat in his bottom dresser drawer for 60+ years.

05-02-2008, 01:40 PM	#7
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	A reblue is a re-polish of the metal surfaces, and then reapplication of the chemicals that turn the steel blue in order to reduce the tendency to rust. If you look at the uneven lines on the sideplate of your Luger and compare them to other photos of the Luger sideplate, you can see that the sideplate on your Luger has been aggressively polished and "blurred" the straight lines made by machining... so much so that the last two digits of the serial number that should be on the exterior of the sideplate are almost invisible... The other surfaces in your photos are too shiney to have been the original military finish for a P.08 made by Mauser... so this gun had to have been refinished. Perhaps it happened before you were old enough to even know the pistol existed in your household, but it did happen none-the-less. Compare your photo of the left side with this other byf 41 Luger and see the crisp lines on the sideplate... this gun has the typical military type finish of the time... Yours has changed since being manufactured and issued to the German military. __________________ 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..."*

05-02-2008, 01:56 PM	#8
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	Joe, The holster you show is not for a Luger pistol. It is for a P-38. I am surprised that Went, Tac and John did not spot this little detail! Perhaps they were concentrating on your pistol...Went has no excuse though! 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."

05-02-2008, 02:11 PM	#9
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Here's another Mauser Luger. A 42 byf that Terry "tacfoley" asked me to post showing clearly defined edges and original salt blue finish. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

05-02-2008, 02:49 PM	#10
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	Mr. TAC.. please check your EMAIL... __________________ 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..."*

05-02-2008, 03:10 PM	#11
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	I DID notice that the left belt loop on the P.38 holster looks like it has been repaired... but not by Jerry... when Jerry fixes one, you can't tell it has been fixed! __________________ 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..."*

05-02-2008, 04:02 PM	#12
moetard User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So holster is not for the Luger, there was another pistol. I know the luger was always kept in the holster shown. This is the other gun. Attached Thumbnails

05-02-2008, 04:32 PM	#13
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 is a French "MAB" made pistol... probably a .32 ACP or 7.65 Auto caliber... This is a P.38 that the holster that you have is designed for... the Luger will also fit it comfortably, but if you look on the back of your holster, you should see a P38 stamped into the leather usually on the top right hand side... __________________ 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..."*

05-02-2008, 04:45 PM	#14
moetard User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Both pistols are out of state at my sisters house so I can't see the other side until I go there in a couple weeks. I will take some photos myself. I don't really know if my father relieve' somebody of the pistol, but I do know both came back with him from europe. The only thing he ever said was that the Luger came off a good man. My father never really talked about the 4 years he spent there. He always said he had no desire to go back. What he did say was that he fought Rommel troops in N. Africa and ended the war in Como Italy. I think he called it "camp lucky strike" Would the MAB have much value ?

05-02-2008, 04:58 PM	#15
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	I have relooked at the MAB and can faintly see 7.65mm on the bottom of the magazine. As far as I know they are dependable pistols... just hard to get parts for... Check gunbroker.com and auctionarms.com to see if anyone is selling anything like it to get an idea of value. __________________ 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..."*

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode