Anyone seen or recall the most beautiful and valuable Luger ever made?

woodguru · 10-09-2009, 05:08 PM

I was telling on another website about having my hands on what is most likely the prettiest and most valuable Luger ever made. It was listed for sale by Christies sometime in the late 70's early 80's at an expected price of over $750,000. It was suggested that I should check with this site to see if anyone knows of where pictures might be. 
 
The pistol was a longer barreled model with lots of engraving and gold initials that said from GL (Georg Luger) to ?H. It was in a beautiful Walnut presentation case with a Walnut stock in the case as well as clips and accessories. I was offered the pistol by my supervisor who had been in Germany or at least Europe while taking and occupying frontlines. He got it from a guy who was too scared of the German death warrant mentality for any soldier caught with German war souvenirs such as Lugers. He wanted $2500 for it. I told him I needed to get an idea of value before paying that kind of money so I took it to a large dealer in Shreveport that offered me $25,000 for it right off the bat. I told the Sarge about the offer and he sold it, without givng me a dime I might add. 
 
I saw it on the back page of I think it was Guns and Ammo six or seven years later. The ad listed the initials as being from Georg Luger given to I thought one of Hitler's top commanders (initials ?H). I was wondering if there are any pictures archived and available of this pistol. I have to wonder what that does to ownership provenance if Germany considers it to be their heritage and stolen by an occupation soldier whereby it went through a few dealer's hands to be sold for somewhere around a million bucks. it's easier to prove this chain of possession than a vague or trumped up chain of ownership that didn't exist (because I know different). 
 
Pictures would be appreciated if this pistol rings any bells with anyone here. This has to be the mother of all Lugers, it was beautiful and historic in a most profound manner coming from Luger himself as a gift.

MFC · 10-10-2009, 12:45 AM

Keith,
Georg Luger died in 1923. Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933.

Drachenstein · 10-12-2009, 11:34 AM

Hindenburg comes to mind; Paul von Hindenburg.

Edward Tinker · 10-12-2009, 11:58 AM

There are many stories of presentation lugers, and of course there were; but VERY few of them.

Probably not Hindenburg, as the nazi's took power when he died...

So, prettiest and most value is all in the eye of the beholder.

I have seen the 45 luger at the Norton Gallery, and except for the slightly larger size of it comapred to a 9mm luger; it is the one I would want the most.

I would gladly take a presentation luger, but most I consider pure fantasy pieces, unless there is impeccible provinance. That means real provinance, not just a statement from the Vet....

Ed

Drachenstein · 10-13-2009, 07:52 AM

My point, Hindenburg was a Hero, Fieldmarshal, and had leverage in military procurement. It would have also been pre 1923 and more than likely they knew eachother. Georg Luger would have no knowledge of anything Nazi.

Vlim · 10-13-2009, 09:17 AM

Add to that, that Luger wasn't up to much following the end of 1918. He lost his money during the crisis that followed the armistice, was kicked out of the company and spent his last years in court, sueing DWM.

Of course, this does not invalidate the possible existance of a presentation grade luger like the one that was reported. Fact was that getting a pistol prettied up wasn't particularly expensive and many a pistol was given the 'presentation treatment' for all sorts of reasons.

On the other hand, a GL monogram can also mean Gary Lineker, Gustav Lehmann, Georg Löwe, Gabriel Loewenstein, etc.., etc..., etc...

Drachenstein · 10-13-2009, 01:56 PM

Considering it sounds like an arty, no one has put a date on it, could very well be pre WWI. Lugers were the sidearms of choice with the officers. If it was presented from Luger himself it would have to of been early and to someone of significance. It was common practice back then to gift generals and politicians involved in procurement, or of influence.

At the close of WWII every soldier was looking for a souvenir. Many locals were selling anything including historical items for essentials. Did you know the FN1910 that started WWI came up missing from a museum in Austria shortly after the Americans occupied. Talk about a bringback worth some money, and they probably don’t know it?

10-09-2009, 05:08 PM	#1
woodguru New User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Anyone seen or recall the most beautiful and valuable Luger ever made? I was telling on another website about having my hands on what is most likely the prettiest and most valuable Luger ever made. It was listed for sale by Christies sometime in the late 70's early 80's at an expected price of over $750,000. It was suggested that I should check with this site to see if anyone knows of where pictures might be.<br> <br> The pistol was a longer barreled model with lots of engraving and gold initials that said from GL (Georg Luger) to ?H. It was in a beautiful Walnut presentation case with a Walnut stock in the case as well as clips and accessories. I was offered the pistol by my supervisor who had been in Germany or at least Europe while taking and occupying frontlines. He got it from a guy who was too scared of the German death warrant mentality for any soldier caught with German war souvenirs such as Lugers. He wanted $2500 for it. I told him I needed to get an idea of value before paying that kind of money so I took it to a large dealer in Shreveport that offered me $25,000 for it right off the bat. I told the Sarge about the offer and he sold it, without givng me a dime I might add.<br> <br> I saw it on the back page of I think it was Guns and Ammo six or seven years later. The ad listed the initials as being from Georg Luger given to I thought one of Hitler's top commanders (initials ?H). I was wondering if there are any pictures archived and available of this pistol. I have to wonder what that does to ownership provenance if Germany considers it to be their heritage and stolen by an occupation soldier whereby it went through a few dealer's hands to be sold for somewhere around a million bucks. it's easier to prove this chain of possession than a vague or trumped up chain of ownership that didn't exist (because I know different).<br> <br> Pictures would be appreciated if this pistol rings any bells with anyone here. This has to be the mother of all Lugers, it was beautiful and historic in a most profound manner coming from Luger himself as a gift.

10-10-2009, 12:45 AM	#2
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Keith, Georg Luger died in 1923. Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933. __________________ Mike C.

10-12-2009, 11:58 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,992 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	There are many stories of presentation lugers, and of course there were; but VERY few of them. Probably not Hindenburg, as the nazi's took power when he died... So, prettiest and most value is all in the eye of the beholder. I have seen the 45 luger at the Norton Gallery, and except for the slightly larger size of it comapred to a 9mm luger; it is the one I would want the most. I would gladly take a presentation luger, but most I consider pure fantasy pieces, unless there is impeccible provinance. That means real provinance, not just a statement from the Vet.... 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

10-13-2009, 01:56 PM	#7
Drachenstein User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elizabethtown, KY Posts: 78 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Considering it sounds like an arty, no one has put a date on it, could very well be pre WWI. Lugers were the sidearms of choice with the officers. If it was presented from Luger himself it would have to of been early and to someone of significance. It was common practice back then to gift generals and politicians involved in procurement, or of influence. At the close of WWII every soldier was looking for a souvenir. Many locals were selling anything including historical items for essentials. Did you know the FN1910 that started WWI came up missing from a museum in Austria shortly after the Americans occupied. Talk about a bringback worth some money, and they probably don’t know it? Last edited by Drachenstein; 10-13-2009 at 01:57 PM. Reason: spelling

10-12-2009, 11:34 AM	#3
Drachenstein User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elizabethtown, KY Posts: 78 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hindenburg comes to mind; Paul von Hindenburg.

10-13-2009, 07:52 AM	#5
Drachenstein User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elizabethtown, KY Posts: 78 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	My point, Hindenburg was a Hero, Fieldmarshal, and had leverage in military procurement. It would have also been pre 1923 and more than likely they knew eachother. Georg Luger would have no knowledge of anything Nazi.

10-13-2009, 09:17 AM	#6
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,048 Thanks: 1,034 Thanked 3,951 Times in 1,199 Posts	Add to that, that Luger wasn't up to much following the end of 1918. He lost his money during the crisis that followed the armistice, was kicked out of the company and spent his last years in court, sueing DWM. Of course, this does not invalidate the possible existance of a presentation grade luger like the one that was reported. Fact was that getting a pistol prettied up wasn't particularly expensive and many a pistol was given the 'presentation treatment' for all sorts of reasons. On the other hand, a GL monogram can also mean Gary Lineker, Gustav Lehmann, Georg Löwe, Gabriel Loewenstein, etc.., etc..., etc...