Luger straight from the attic

[Waldensian]

Hi everybody -- I posted on gunboards and one of the guys suggested I ask my question here.

Basically, a coworker's relative has discovered their uncle's old Luger in the attic. The family's collectively remembered story is that he brought it back from WWII. The holster is present, but the stitching is giving out and/or has rotted in places. No capture papers have been found.

Photos are here:
http://web.mac.com/dugaru/iWeb/Site%...er%20Pics.html

The relative wants to know a rough value for this pistol. The coworker came to me because he thinks of me as a gun guy. Actually I don't know ANYTHING about Luger history or values -- I mostly specialize in really cheap milsurp rifles -- but I have of course told the relative not to mess with it, not to let anyone steal it, and not to sell it to a gun shop or pawn broker!

It looks really nice to me. The gunboard consensus is that it is a pre-war Mauser and that the value might run $1,500 to $2,000, depending. Someone there also pointed out that the holster needs urgent attention!

Thanks in advance for an info.