1908 Navy - need some advice

Big Norm · 10-19-2004, 05:19 AM

Brent,
I'd be cautious about re-bluing of an original 1908. Once its been re-blued then the value that TomA noted will hold. But if your 1908 has no pitting and has just some worn off bluing and straw, then your gun is worth more than TomA stated. Original rear toggles for the navy alone go for $400-600. So it sounds like you have a real bargain in the making. This is a judgement call since I have not seen your gun. My humble opinion would be to jump on the gun but do not try to pretty it up by re-bluing it. But if you do decide to re-blue your gun, make sure that you get someone good and not just some hacker. If too much metal has been removed through restoration or if the restrawing has been butchered by a amateur, your gun will be worth less than even TomA's low estimate. You can't give away badly restored Lugers. They become parts guns.

Incidently, the "100" that you noted that is behind the DWM is part of an adjustible rear sight on the rear toggle. It stands for 100 meters. A closer look by you would reveal that the sight is adjustible and can be elevated to "200" which stands for 200 meters.

The "W.K. 10506" that you noted on the back strap is not a unit mark. Its a naval dockyard marking that adds value to a navy Luger.

Personally, it has been a long time since I have seen an original (not restored) navy Luger go for less than $2500. Something else would have to be wrong with it for one to go for less. Try to get a friend to look at this gun with you to help you eliminate emotion and to make sure that it is, in fact, an authentic 1908 navy. The price that you mentioned sends up warning signals with me and warrants a closer look.
Big Norm

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10-19-2004, 05:19 AM	#4
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Brent, I'd be cautious about re-bluing of an original 1908. Once its been re-blued then the value that TomA noted will hold. But if your 1908 has no pitting and has just some worn off bluing and straw, then your gun is worth more than TomA stated. Original rear toggles for the navy alone go for $400-600. So it sounds like you have a real bargain in the making. This is a judgement call since I have not seen your gun. My humble opinion would be to jump on the gun but do not try to pretty it up by re-bluing it. But if you do decide to re-blue your gun, make sure that you get someone good and not just some hacker. If too much metal has been removed through restoration or if the restrawing has been butchered by a amateur, your gun will be worth less than even TomA's low estimate. You can't give away badly restored Lugers. They become parts guns. Incidently, the "100" that you noted that is behind the DWM is part of an adjustible rear sight on the rear toggle. It stands for 100 meters. A closer look by you would reveal that the sight is adjustible and can be elevated to "200" which stands for 200 meters. The "W.K. 10506" that you noted on the back strap is not a unit mark. Its a naval dockyard marking that adds value to a navy Luger. Personally, it has been a long time since I have seen an original (not restored) navy Luger go for less than $2500. Something else would have to be wrong with it for one to go for less. Try to get a friend to look at this gun with you to help you eliminate emotion and to make sure that it is, in fact, an authentic 1908 navy. The price that you mentioned sends up warning signals with me and warrants a closer look. Big Norm