British Markings: Do they lower the value of the Luger?

[Johnny Peppers]

Luke,

The two examples of US weapons sent to England under the Lend-Lease Act that I mentioned in the previous discussion are good examples of how the British proofs affect value. For a long time the M1 Rifles with British proofs were shunned because of the incorrectly termed "import marks". Collectors started to notice that these rifles had been returned to the US in virtually unused condition, and that they were in proper matching condition. These rifles were made in late 1941 and early 1942, and original examples without the British proofs were extremely rare as there was a huge rebuild program of M1 Rifles following WWII. The British proofed Lend-Lease M1 Rifles are now sought by collectors, but they will not bring the same money as an all matching M1 Rifle of the same period without the British proofs.

For a while the 1911A1 pistol with British proofs would bring a slight premium as it was known that these were Lend-Lease pistols, and collectors sought them as a variation of the 1911A1. A few years ago this changed, and condition for condition the British proofed 1911A1 will not bring as much as a correct 1911A1 without British proofs. More of the 1911A1 pistols survived in original condition as there was no rebuild program on these pistols following WWII.

The British proofs are a part of the pistol's history, and are only an indication that at some time in it's past it visited England.