Value of a 1918 Luger

DelusionalCookie · 01-20-2010, 11:52 AM

This is the information i have:

This is a luger pistol recovered from WWII with markings and cartouches along it, i have not seen the gun myself but can get pictures, i would assume they are nazi.

S/N: 1760

Stamped 1920, and right below that 1918 on top of the barrel.

However, there is some pitting and rust, but it functions great and has a good barrel. This pistol has not been restored in any way, shape, or form, all parts and finish are original.

SO i have 2 questions, what is the value, and if it was restored would that raise or lower it. I will have pictures later today.

Thanks a lot for any help!

alanint · 01-20-2010, 12:43 PM

Can't say a thing without extensive photos of all markings on the gun and whether all internals, magazine(s) match

DavidJayUden · 01-20-2010, 12:56 PM

Without seeing pictures it is not possible to answer, but here are some general ideas. An average matching 1918 double date might be worth in the neighborbood of $1000. While mismatched/refinished shooters that are not hard to look at might bring $600. Factor in the time/cost/hassles of restoration and even then ending up with a restored gun that is worth less than a comparable orig. gun.
I'm guessing that the best path is to enjoy your gun as is, clean it up the best you can and shoot it, and eventually sell it off to recover your money and maybe make a profit. All the while watching for the "ideal" Luger(s).
Well, that's my $.02
dju

DelusionalCookie · 01-20-2010, 04:48 PM

Found out a few new things, note that this is not my gun, its a friends, and he is more into the history behind it than anything else, if you can tell such a thing from the gun itself, such as who it was issued to, etc. but i found out a couple of the markings, and sorry, good pictures will be posted tomorrow.

The gun has a stylized F surrounded by a circle next to the serial number, and the emblem with the letter DWC on top.

Thanks again for the help

Dwight Gruber · 01-20-2010, 06:05 PM

Looking forward to the pictures. Are you sure that the "stylized F" in a circle is not an S? Look for a number stamped on the back of the frame; letters.numbers stamped on the front grip strap; a sear safety; a magazine safety.

--Dwight

spartacus38 · 01-21-2010, 01:05 AM

With pitting and rust,value around $800 imo.

Bob

lugerholsterrepair · 01-21-2010, 04:13 PM

Pitting and rust throws it under the bus for me..IF it functions as a shooter..more along the line of $600 IMO.

Jerry Burney

spartacus38 · 01-21-2010, 07:04 PM

Jerry,

I agree it could be worth $600.

Really need to see pictures.

Bob

01-20-2010, 11:52 AM	#1
DelusionalCookie New User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Value of a 1918 Luger This is the information i have: This is a luger pistol recovered from WWII with markings and cartouches along it, i have not seen the gun myself but can get pictures, i would assume they are nazi. S/N: 1760 Stamped 1920, and right below that 1918 on top of the barrel. However, there is some pitting and rust, but it functions great and has a good barrel. This pistol has not been restored in any way, shape, or form, all parts and finish are original. SO i have 2 questions, what is the value, and if it was restored would that raise or lower it. I will have pictures later today. Thanks a lot for any help!

01-21-2010, 04:13 PM	#7
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,868 Thanked 3,106 Times in 1,429 Posts	Pitting and rust throws it under the bus for me..IF it functions as a shooter..more along the line of $600 IMO. 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."

01-20-2010, 12:43 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Can't say a thing without extensive photos of all markings on the gun and whether all internals, magazine(s) match

01-20-2010, 12:56 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Without seeing pictures it is not possible to answer, but here are some general ideas. An average matching 1918 double date might be worth in the neighborbood of $1000. While mismatched/refinished shooters that are not hard to look at might bring $600. Factor in the time/cost/hassles of restoration and even then ending up with a restored gun that is worth less than a comparable orig. gun. I'm guessing that the best path is to enjoy your gun as is, clean it up the best you can and shoot it, and eventually sell it off to recover your money and maybe make a profit. All the while watching for the "ideal" Luger(s). Well, that's my $.02 dju

01-20-2010, 04:48 PM	#4
DelusionalCookie New User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Found out a few new things, note that this is not my gun, its a friends, and he is more into the history behind it than anything else, if you can tell such a thing from the gun itself, such as who it was issued to, etc. but i found out a couple of the markings, and sorry, good pictures will be posted tomorrow. The gun has a stylized F surrounded by a circle next to the serial number, and the emblem with the letter DWC on top. Thanks again for the help

01-20-2010, 06:05 PM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Looking forward to the pictures. Are you sure that the "stylized F" in a circle is not an S? Look for a number stamped on the back of the frame; letters.numbers stamped on the front grip strap; a sear safety; a magazine safety. --Dwight

01-21-2010, 01:05 AM	#6
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	With pitting and rust,value around $800 imo. Bob

01-21-2010, 07:04 PM	#8
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	Jerry, I agree it could be worth $600. Really need to see pictures. Bob