Is this front sight kosher?

railman44 · 07-19-2008, 02:05 PM

Did DWM have these types of front sights for lugers they exported?

Vlim · 07-19-2008, 02:24 PM

Nope,

But this style of front sights has been available as after-market sights for some 80+ years.

railman44 · 07-19-2008, 02:54 PM

Are original front sights available from some on this board and how complex and/or expensive is changing back to an original plus the cost of the original part? This sight is on a luger I'm thinking of buying if everything works out. How much does this after-market part deduct from the worth of a luger?

Vlim · 07-19-2008, 03:07 PM

Hi,

You might want to talk to Tom Heller, Lugerdoc on this forum. He should have a good supply of them.

Sights may need to be adjusted to the particular gun, though.

Dwight Gruber · 07-19-2008, 03:29 PM

Jim,

Gerben is quite correct about this type of sight's long-term avaliability. They were marketed by Marbles, Shears, perhaps King, and who knows how many others. They have been a popular American replacement sight for many decades, on more than just Lugers.

In my opinion, this is one of those things which can be an exception to the First Principls of Luger Collecting: that is, totally original conditioin. To me as a collector, if this is on an American Eagle or other GERMANY marked commercial Luger whose condition shows evidence of use (not a 99%+, minty gun), it has minimal bearing on the Luger's overall value.

Other people's mileage may vary...

--Dwight

alvin · 07-19-2008, 04:57 PM

I have a question regarding this type of front sight.

I assume it's called "bead front sight" (?).... If that's correct, "Mauser Archive" (Speed, 2007) has numerous places saying "special order of .... with bead front sight". So, at least some Mauser made pistols had factory-installed bead front sights.

I have never owned such an instance and have always avoided them on the market. But, could some of them be factory work, Mauser/DWM? Or, chance = 0 ? His book was about Mauser, could DWM have similar thing.....

Any thought, comments? Thanks.

====

Or, there are some factory ones, but this particular one is aftermarket. In that case, how do we tell?

Luke · 07-19-2008, 05:17 PM

railman44,

While I agree with Dwight, this non-standard front sight would lead me to look more carefully at all other details of the Luger for additional "improvements" that might not be easy to spot . . . . but have a more serious effect on the value.

Luke

Hugh · 07-21-2008, 11:01 PM

railman44,

I prefer that type of sight on my shooter Lugers, and will be happy to trade you a standard Luger front sight for that one if you should aquire the gun.

Lugerdoc · 07-22-2008, 11:11 AM

Jim et al, I agree with the comments above, but seriously doubt that any of the bead front sight were ever installed at the factory (except on the Luger carbines). These were probably available as an option from some of the US importer (Stoeger, Pacific Arms, etc) as they would also install new barrels in either 7.65 or 9mm in lengths from 4" to 22". I do have both used and new original Luger front sight blades in stock in the $15 to $25 range but some fitting may be required. Lugerdoc at hellerarms@webtv.net

mauro · 07-22-2008, 02:06 PM

Hello,
This is the Marble #27 I have in my collection.
Seems the one railman44 has installed in his luger...
Have fun,
Mauro

07-19-2008, 02:05 PM	#1
railman44 User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is this front sight kosher? Did DWM have these types of front sights for lugers they exported?

07-19-2008, 05:17 PM	#7
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	railman44, While I agree with Dwight, this non-standard front sight would lead me to look more carefully at all other details of the Luger for additional "improvements" that might not be easy to spot . . . . but have a more serious effect on the value. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

07-21-2008, 11:01 PM	#8
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	railman44, I prefer that type of sight on my shooter Lugers, and will be happy to trade you a standard Luger front sight for that one if you should aquire the gun. __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

07-22-2008, 11:11 AM	#9
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Jim et al, I agree with the comments above, but seriously doubt that any of the bead front sight were ever installed at the factory (except on the Luger carbines). These were probably available as an option from some of the US importer (Stoeger, Pacific Arms, etc) as they would also install new barrels in either 7.65 or 9mm in lengths from 4" to 22". I do have both used and new original Luger front sight blades in stock in the $15 to $25 range but some fitting may be required. Lugerdoc at hellerarms@webtv.net __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

07-22-2008, 02:06 PM	#10
mauro FIREARM HISTORIAN AND AUT Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 106 Thanked 349 Times in 129 Posts	Hello, This is the Marble #27 I have in my collection. Seems the one railman44 has installed in his luger... Have fun, Mauro __________________ Mauro Baudino - www.lugerlp08.com www.paul-mauser-archive.com Mauser Company and Firearm Historian - Mauser Parabellum Certification Service.

07-19-2008, 02:24 PM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,047 Thanks: 1,034 Thanked 3,947 Times in 1,198 Posts	Nope, But this style of front sights has been available as after-market sights for some 80+ years.

07-19-2008, 02:54 PM	#3
railman44 User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Are original front sights available from some on this board and how complex and/or expensive is changing back to an original plus the cost of the original part? This sight is on a luger I'm thinking of buying if everything works out. How much does this after-market part deduct from the worth of a luger?

07-19-2008, 03:07 PM	#4
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,047 Thanks: 1,034 Thanked 3,947 Times in 1,198 Posts	Hi, You might want to talk to Tom Heller, Lugerdoc on this forum. He should have a good supply of them. Sights may need to be adjusted to the particular gun, though.

07-19-2008, 03:29 PM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Jim, Gerben is quite correct about this type of sight's long-term avaliability. They were marketed by Marbles, Shears, perhaps King, and who knows how many others. They have been a popular American replacement sight for many decades, on more than just Lugers. In my opinion, this is one of those things which can be an exception to the First Principls of Luger Collecting: that is, totally original conditioin. To me as a collector, if this is on an American Eagle or other GERMANY marked commercial Luger whose condition shows evidence of use (not a 99%+, minty gun), it has minimal bearing on the Luger's overall value. Other people's mileage may vary... --Dwight

07-19-2008, 04:57 PM	#6
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	I have a question regarding this type of front sight. I assume it's called "bead front sight" (?).... If that's correct, "Mauser Archive" (Speed, 2007) has numerous places saying "special order of .... with bead front sight". So, at least some Mauser made pistols had factory-installed bead front sights. I have never owned such an instance and have always avoided them on the market. But, could some of them be factory work, Mauser/DWM? Or, chance = 0 ? His book was about Mauser, could DWM have similar thing..... Any thought, comments? Thanks. ==== Or, there are some factory ones, but this particular one is aftermarket. In that case, how do we tell?