Newbie here with a question.

[Big Tex]

Originally posted by Pete Ebbink
Hi Mark,

Your photos seem to indicate a very nicely restored 1915 Imperial Luger, unfortunately.

For most collectors, that would drop value by 50% or more. In todays' terms, I would venture a guess of value at around $ 1350 or so.

For many collectors, a refinished (i.e. restoration) piece automatically falls into the "shooter" classification...unless the gun, originally, is rare and historically important. If the gun is rare or unique, being restored for some specialty collectors would not kill their interest to acquire such a rare piece.

However, a 1915-dated WWI Luger is not that rare. Author and expert Jan Stills in his new book estimates production of 105,000 P-08 Lugers with a 1915 chamber date.

The strawed parts on your gun certainly have the look of restoration work.


Here are three areas on your gun which may also indicate a restoration in its life :

The 1st. photo shows some pretty deep 'dents' on your gun. If that occurs on an original blue, you will usually expose the 'white" bare metal under the original blue and those dents will usually rust with time. Your photo seems to show blue deep down in the recesses of the dents :



The 2nd. photo shows the "dicing" pattern of the checkering on your toggle knobs more flat and diamond shaped. Usually the dicing has points to each diamond. The flats result from some fine sanding during the restoration work :



The 3rd. photo shows the top of the small pin that is driven through the top of the left side toggle knob. Usually this pin is "in the white" when original. Your pin appears to be blued over :



Here is a photo of a the same pin that is still "in the white" :



This 4th. photo shows a peculiar number stamping of "5" on the sear safety/bar. I do not believe it being a strawed color is correct, either :

Thanks Pete that's some excellent information. Sounds like it's alot like cars, alot of the value is in originality. Now I have a ball park figure and as in cars it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Thanks