1916 Luger

[Ben Evans]

Hi all, new here so just wanted to kick off by showing this 1916 luger. My name is Ben and I am from the UK, I have just started collecting deacs and this is my second luger. I have another 1917 dated artillery luger and rig which is currently being deactivated as the old boy that sold it to me had it live from the war. This luger is dated 1916 and has all matching numbers including the wood based magazine. I am from the UK so its been deactivated (shame I know). The holster is unmarked but in cracking condition, the leather looks top quality and has a lovely feel to it. The belt loops have been cut so I wondered if it was cut off a dead German soldier? Any opinions or information regarding the luger would be appreciated.

Many thanks

Ben

[Ben Evans]

Pistol

[Ben Evans]

More

[Ben Evans]

Just to note, it is my birthday soon so I have given my wife a link to a WW1 luger mag and luger tool to finish off the holster

[hansfischer007]

Hey Ben..it all looks good and I know you are happy with your purchase.......Im curious as to how the pistols are "deactivated"....does the barrel have a weld inside it...?....and looking at your photos and seeing the pistol disassembled...does it make it totally impossible to take the parts and make a shootable firearm again.?....Im totally in the dark about this and appreciate you taking the time to enlighten me.....Enjoy your purchase....and the Holster looks Fantastic as well.......Congratulations.....Hans Fischer

[alanint]

If you look closely, the entire bolt head had been band sawed at a .45 degree angle, so there can never be any chambering nor a gas seal. Next, the photo of the barrel serial number will show a huge chunk machined out of the left bottom of the chamber area, and a weld on the opposite side so nothing can trap gas nor allow a round to enter.

This is sheer sacriledge.

[Ben Evans]

Cheers Hans, the barrel has a pin through it at the chamber end and the bolt end has sawn at a 45 degree angle.

Alan, I am afraid thats the only way we can own one in the UK. I am ex military of 23 years and used to shoot pistols competitively, breaks my heart

Cheers all

[DavidJayUden]

Ben:
It breaks all of our hearts.
Welcome aboard.
dju

[Ben Evans]

I am going to be collecting more lugers, now I actually own one (almost two). I was thinking eventually of getting a model for each year of the war (I know lots of money) are there any particular models to look out for?

[DavidJayUden]

There are no particular problems with the Lugers produced during the war years. Some more recent post-war attempts can be another story.
Happy collecting to you!
dju

[hansfischer007]

Thanks for the replies......I guess what was in the back of my mind...if if there were still enough there....to maybe "part it out"...but im a total novice at this.....and from what I see the entire upper cannot be reworked...but what about the bottom of the frame....?.....I dont know.....Im a Tinkerer and was just thinking if there wasnt a way to maybe put one back in order it it was just parted out...anyway....just a thought........I hear stories here in the US about the old WW2 Vets passing away and their widows just literally tossing all their "souvenirs"......and believe I read on one of the boards..(maybe here.?)..one of the guys carried his garbage out one morning..same time as elderly lady next door....when she put her garbage in the trash can....he heard a "metallic thunk"...went over and looked in...and it was a P-38..!!...he called her back and her comment was...."that belonged to my late husband and its dangerous and I dont want it...you can have it..!"...........Jeez....some guys have all the luck it seems....last year I had a friend of my wifes call me over to look at her Brothers "souvenir luger"..it was a MINT 1941 BYF with Holster and two mags....(don't remember if they matched).....I offered to buy it ....and she started crying...saying she had thought about it and just couldnt sell it.....this after calling me over to buy it....so I told her that I would make her a good offer.....no luck.....then two days later ......my wife said her next door neighbor "generously" gave her $800 for it...!!!!! Oh well......thats my $0.02 Hans Fischer

[tudorbug]

I wonder how much it costs to buy a deactivated luger in the UK?

David

[Ben Evans]

If you want a matching WW1 luger in good condition average is £900 to £1000, same WW2 examples are going for £1200-1300. The holsters are £250 to £300, original luger tools £60-90 and magazines £70-90. Not cheap

[tudorbug]

Thank you, Ben! 900E to 1300E seems very expensive for a deactivated luger. Wow!

David

[Ben Evans]

They are not cheap David, you can pick up mismatched battered ones for £600-£800 but they are a mess to be honest, this one I picked up for £900 which included the holster so I was pleased with that to be honest. (I got a 1942 Vickers Machine gun from the same bloke)

[Douglas Jr.]

Welcome to the forum Ben!

It is a shame, I kinow, but we all shall dance according to the music.
At least you can dry fire and disassembled it - some deact owrk I have seen not even allow it.

Be careful: Luger are highly addicitive!


All the best,
Douglas.

[Ben Evans]

Cheers Douglas, I am looking for my next one already lol

[Ben Evans]

Had a good look at my luger and holster last night, the seller told me the holster was unmarked, guess he did not look properly. 1916 dated same as the gun, would be nice to think they were issued together