Mystery Luger

[MFC]

It has military proofs on the right receiver, so I don't think it's a commercial. The left receiver should not be stamped. There isn't any evidence of numbers having been ground off. The takedown lever, side plate, trigger, sear, safety bar, and the thumb safety should also be numbered. I think it could be a "lunchbox special". Parts stolen from the factory by a worker and put together later.

[LugerVern]

Mike you may be right, so the gun was returned to the factory about 1913 and from there it went home with someone.

They did a great job at covering their tracks, your have to look very carefully to see any signs.

The lug, does have the remnants of two numbers and the frame "could" have been professionally messed with to remove the SN's-- that's a tough call as the finish looks nice and if messed with was done many many years ago, which supports your theory.

What a great gun to research!
Again thanks for posting!!

Vern

[Zamo]

Steve, to answer a question that seems to have been neglected, there doesn't seem to be any apparent connection between this pistol and your fathers assault on the Eaglesnest.
It is still possible he found it there, and because this is a unique, but not military issued pistol, it is theoretically possible that it may have been the private property of one party member or another, but without documentation it is all speculation and wishful fantasy.
It is just as likely that he confiscated it from a Belgian Milkman, or French pensioner, as it is not a military firearm, and dates from 1910, it could have come from anyone in Germany, or all of Europe.
My vote is the Belgian Milkman, that would explain...well...not much, but it is a colorful theory, and one I am sticking to.
Regardless, it is a very nice Luger, and as it has family history, you should insure it for about $2000, and keep it as an heirloom for generations to come.

[boquetesteve]

I want to thank all of you for your comments, suggestions and theories. I now know way more than I ever thought possible about this very neat piece. I've also managed to gain enough insight and confidence to have taken the pistol down and given it a very thorough cleaning and lubrication. I've had this bad boy for many years and never wanted to try to tear it down for fear I'd screw something up.

A few more bits of info surrounding this pistol...maybe. I've attached a picture of a framed piece in my office. Regarding the Eagle's Nest, and the reason I think there might be a connection, The Dude brought back several items from there as follows: A beautiful mantel clock with a center Swastika that was destroyed when my Grandparent's home burned to the ground in '49-'50, a carved sterling silver horse head that is displayed in my sister's home in Seattle, a very nice mother of pearl handled derringer that my Dad gave to a neighbor in Santa Ana, Ca., a metal sheithed orange handled dagger with Swastika and, of course, stationary from The Eagle's Nest as well which is embossed with a small Swastika in the picture.

I can only speculate about this luger but there was very definitely something of importance that my Dad attached to it. Unfortunately, we'll never know. I would love to have just one more day to talk to him about all the things we never got around to. You just don't expect people to die at 63.

Again, thanks to all of you. You've been great to a luger newbie.

Regards,

Steve Clarke