Very nice 1918 DWM, need current value

Doug G. · 02-23-2009, 09:43 AM

I have not been actively buying Luger's for a few years now, but this one came along and I need to know what current value on it is so I make a fair offer. Basically it is a near mint 1918 DWM with 93% blue and 80% straw. It does not show in the pics, but there is a halo around all numbers. It does have one matching mag a WWII holster and a ground FXO mag. I figure the holster and ground mag are worth $150-200. The holster was brown, but dyed black and has some damage.

lugerholsterrepair · 02-23-2009, 11:21 AM

Doug, Perhaps it's the lighting in your photo's but I would take down this pistol and take a serious look at the finish. The strawed parts look awfully dark to me. The magazine release button in particular, the ejector too. If the finish is genuine it makes a difference...

Jerry Burney

Doug G. · 02-23-2009, 12:14 PM

Jerry, the straw is indeed very dark in person. But you can tell that there is much age to it. I am convinced that the finish is original as it does glow red under a strong light and has halo effect on all numbers. The gun was packed in cosmoline since the end of WWII. It took me the better part of 2 hours to clean it all up! The inside of the frame and rails are still in the white. The mag release could have been replaced at one time, but in person it looks like the metal darkened with age. I will add some pics of the inside tonight.

spartacus38 · 02-23-2009, 01:07 PM

I would estimate the current value at approximately $2000.

Bob

lugerholsterrepair · 02-23-2009, 01:35 PM

Doug, The pistol certainly looks sharp & original. The inside is encouraging. If it's truly legit, matching with a matching mag Bob is right on the money except I would offer $1500 as 2000 is a tad on the high side. Not that it might not be worth it..it's a weird economy and I'm cheap.
One other thing about the straw..That might be typical of the kind of finish found on these late Lugers...

Jerry Burney

petie3 · 03-22-2009, 03:13 AM

Finish is correct. I have an identical piece with perfect bore except it is a 1917 and the magazine doesn't match; identical condition. Paid $500 thirty years ago so 1500 isn't crazy.

02-23-2009, 09:43 AM	#1
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	Very nice 1918 DWM, need current value I have not been actively buying Luger's for a few years now, but this one came along and I need to know what current value on it is so I make a fair offer. Basically it is a near mint 1918 DWM with 93% blue and 80% straw. It does not show in the pics, but there is a halo around all numbers. It does have one matching mag a WWII holster and a ground FXO mag. I figure the holster and ground mag are worth $150-200. The holster was brown, but dyed black and has some damage. __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

02-23-2009, 11:21 AM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,922 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	Doug, Perhaps it's the lighting in your photo's but I would take down this pistol and take a serious look at the finish. The strawed parts look awfully dark to me. The magazine release button in particular, the ejector too. If the finish is genuine it makes a difference... Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

02-23-2009, 12:14 PM	#3
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	Jerry, the straw is indeed very dark in person. But you can tell that there is much age to it. I am convinced that the finish is original as it does glow red under a strong light and has halo effect on all numbers. The gun was packed in cosmoline since the end of WWII. It took me the better part of 2 hours to clean it all up! The inside of the frame and rails are still in the white. The mag release could have been replaced at one time, but in person it looks like the metal darkened with age. I will add some pics of the inside tonight. __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

02-23-2009, 01:35 PM	#5
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,922 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	Doug, The pistol certainly looks sharp & original. The inside is encouraging. If it's truly legit, matching with a matching mag Bob is right on the money except I would offer $1500 as 2000 is a tad on the high side. Not that it might not be worth it..it's a weird economy and I'm cheap. One other thing about the straw..That might be typical of the kind of finish found on these late Lugers... Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

02-23-2009, 01:07 PM	#4
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	I would estimate the current value at approximately $2000. Bob

03-22-2009, 03:13 AM	#6
petie3 User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Redlands CA Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Finish is correct. I have an identical piece with perfect bore except it is a 1917 and the magazine doesn't match; identical condition. Paid $500 thirty years ago so 1500 isn't crazy.