Trying to learn about Lugers

jebryant · 03-01-2009, 02:31 PM

I own a Luger that was given to me by my uncle years ago. I've just become interested in trying to determine origin, value, etc.

I know is a 1914 DMW sn1458 with apparently all matching numbers except mag. I downloaded the "Luger Id Form" and the Luger Collection Sheet. Once completed, where to I send them for evaluation of my Luger?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ron Smith · 03-01-2009, 02:59 PM

Hi Ed,

Welcome to the forum.

If you can post clear photos of both sides, top, grip straps and front of frame. You will get some good "No BS" opinions on your Luger.

Ron

jebryant · 03-01-2009, 05:28 PM

Thanks Ron, will take
photos and post asap.

Edward Tinker · 03-01-2009, 06:39 PM

Welcome to the forum; also post the info here on the forum, that will also help a lot.

ED

jebryant · 03-02-2009, 10:28 AM

OK, dumb question follows. I have photos (on my PC). How do I attach them to a "post"?

DavidJayUden · 03-02-2009, 10:34 AM

I'm certainly no expert, but seem to get photos up by typing in text then using the attachment option at the top to add photos off the computer. Use the Go Advanced option.
Good Luck and may the Force be with you.
DJU

Ron Smith · 03-02-2009, 12:16 PM

Click "Go Advanced" Click " Manage Attachments" go to "Brouse" and "Upload" make sure they are not oversized.

jebryant · 03-02-2009, 01:39 PM

Attached are photos of my Luger

jebryant · 03-03-2009, 05:09 PM

Is there any way to obtain history (provenance) on a Luger by it's serial number and manufacturer?

MFC · 03-04-2009, 02:35 AM

Ed,
Your Luger was a military issue in 1914. Unit marks stamped on the grip strap of some military Lugers is the only way to determine which unit it was issued to. Are there any stamps on yours? 1920 is a Reichswehr property stamp (not a date). The sear safety and magazine safety were added after WWI for Police service.

jebryant · 03-04-2009, 09:06 AM

Mike, thanks for the info. Any idea of value of this Luger?

Edward Tinker · 03-04-2009, 10:06 AM

In its condition about $500-$700, but some 0000 steel wool would clean off the rust, but there will now be blemishes and hopefully NOT pitting underneath. I would guess in the middle, the sideplate pitting turns many folks off...

I collect police lugers, so interested in all, although I like them in a bit nicer condition and with unit markings.

What is the magazine marked? It is the later aluminum type (not WW1 era, but could be "correct" if issued later) and the are there any markings on it on the front gripstrap?

Ed

jebryant · 03-04-2009, 12:05 PM

Ed, I have not tried to do anything to this Luger for fear of damaging or decreasing value. I'm attaching additional pics of the mag and markings on grip strap. Please let me know what you think and thanks for your interest.

Edward Tinker · 03-04-2009, 02:34 PM

Well, the rust is active and the longer you wait, the more it eats away.

0000 steel wool or 0000 brass wool and oil will not hurt the finish.

Before cleaning;
When taking the grips off, first take the screws out, then the mag, then gently pry from one side and at the same time, push gently from the inside. Be very careful, as up at the top, especially where the safety lever is...

Ed

jebryant · 03-09-2009, 08:13 AM

Ed Tinker, do the markings on the grip strap tell us anything about the gun or who used it?

jebryant · 03-19-2009, 02:40 PM

I'm interested in selling this Luger. How should I go about that?

John Sabato · 03-19-2009, 03:38 PM

Selling it is easy, transferring it could be an issue depending on where you live.

You can sell the gun to anyone who is a C&R license holder or FFL license holder directly.

But your state laws may affect the actual transfer.... what city/state do you live in?

You can post the gun in the FOR SALE forum here at no fee, but you must post a price for it. No "make an offer" ads are allowed...and No auctions. I agree with Ed, the middle ground is about right for a gun with this much rust and oxidation... around $600 would be tops.

jebryant · 03-19-2009, 03:49 PM

John, thanks for the feedback. I'll probably post in the next few days.

jebryant · 03-19-2009, 03:50 PM

Oh, yeah John, I'm located in North Carolina.

03-01-2009, 02:31 PM	#1
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Trying to learn about Lugers I own a Luger that was given to me by my uncle years ago. I've just become interested in trying to determine origin, value, etc. I know is a 1914 DMW sn1458 with apparently all matching numbers except mag. I downloaded the "Luger Id Form" and the Luger Collection Sheet. Once completed, where to I send them for evaluation of my Luger? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

03-01-2009, 02:59 PM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Ed, Welcome to the forum. If you can post clear photos of both sides, top, grip straps and front of frame. You will get some good "No BS" opinions on your Luger. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-01-2009, 06:39 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	Welcome to the forum; also post the info here on the forum, that will also help a lot. ED __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-02-2009, 12:16 PM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Click "Go Advanced" Click " Manage Attachments" go to "Brouse" and "Upload" make sure they are not oversized. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

03-02-2009, 01:39 PM	#8
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Photos Attached are photos of my Luger Attached Thumbnails

03-01-2009, 05:28 PM	#3
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Ron, will take photos and post asap.

03-02-2009, 10:28 AM	#5
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OK, dumb question follows. I have photos (on my PC). How do I attach them to a "post"?

03-02-2009, 10:34 AM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'm certainly no expert, but seem to get photos up by typing in text then using the attachment option at the top to add photos off the computer. Use the Go Advanced option. Good Luck and may the Force be with you. DJU

03-03-2009, 05:09 PM	#9
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is there any way to obtain history (provenance) on a Luger by it's serial number and manufacturer?

03-04-2009, 02:35 AM	#10
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Ed, Your Luger was a military issue in 1914. Unit marks stamped on the grip strap of some military Lugers is the only way to determine which unit it was issued to. Are there any stamps on yours? 1920 is a Reichswehr property stamp (not a date). The sear safety and magazine safety were added after WWI for Police service. __________________ Mike C.

03-04-2009, 09:06 AM	#11
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mike, thanks for the info. Any idea of value of this Luger?

03-04-2009, 10:06 AM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	In its condition about $500-$700, but some 0000 steel wool would clean off the rust, but there will now be blemishes and hopefully NOT pitting underneath. I would guess in the middle, the sideplate pitting turns many folks off... I collect police lugers, so interested in all, although I like them in a bit nicer condition and with unit markings. What is the magazine marked? It is the later aluminum type (not WW1 era, but could be "correct" if issued later) and the are there any markings on it on the front gripstrap? Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

03-04-2009, 12:05 PM	#13
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed, I have not tried to do anything to this Luger for fear of damaging or decreasing value. I'm attaching additional pics of the mag and markings on grip strap. Please let me know what you think and thanks for your interest. Attached Thumbnails

03-04-2009, 02:34 PM	#14
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	Well, the rust is active and the longer you wait, the more it eats away. 0000 steel wool or 0000 brass wool and oil will not hurt the finish. Before cleaning; When taking the grips off, first take the screws out, then the mag, then gently pry from one side and at the same time, push gently from the inside. Be very careful, as up at the top, especially where the safety lever is... Ed

03-09-2009, 08:13 AM	#15
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed Tinker, do the markings on the grip strap tell us anything about the gun or who used it?

03-19-2009, 02:40 PM	#16
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm interested in selling this Luger. How should I go about that?

03-19-2009, 03:38 PM	#17
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Selling it is easy, transferring it could be an issue depending on where you live. You can sell the gun to anyone who is a C&R license holder or FFL license holder directly. But your state laws may affect the actual transfer.... what city/state do you live in? You can post the gun in the FOR SALE forum here at no fee, but you must post a price for it. No "make an offer" ads are allowed...and No auctions. I agree with Ed, the middle ground is about right for a gun with this much rust and oxidation... around $600 would be tops. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-19-2009, 03:49 PM	#18
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	John, thanks for the feedback. I'll probably post in the next few days.

03-19-2009, 03:50 PM	#19
jebryant User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Oh, yeah John, I'm located in North Carolina.