Can you track down history of your Luger based on the serial number?

wagood24 · 01-19-2011, 03:49 PM

I've had my 1914 Luger for a couple years now but I've always wondered if you could track down the origin of the gun. I know the Nazi's were nutorious for record keeping and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a way to look up my serial number somewhere to see where it came from. Of course, my Luger very well might not have ever been held by a Nazi but I'm still curious. It has marks all over it, fortunately I think it's all numbers matching, and even though I don't have a cool war story to tell about it, that doesn't mean there isn't a good story to learn about it. Any help to this newb would be appreciated. Thanks!

DavidJayUden · 01-19-2011, 03:58 PM

Clearly photo the gun and all markings, numbers, etc, and provide any info./history that you might already have, and some of the book guys might be able to shed some light. But don't expect much beyond year and place of manufacture, etc, unless there are specific unit markings. Specific issue records by serial number don't seem to be available.
Welcome.
dju

wagood24 · 01-19-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

Clearly photo the gun and all markings, numbers, etc, and provide any info./history that you might already have, and some of the book guys might be able to shed some light. But don't expect much beyond year and place of manufacture, etc, unless there are specific unit markings. Specific issue records by serial number don't seem to be available.
Welcome.
dju

Do you simply mean to post those photos, descriptions on here? What do you mean by "the book guys"? Is there a particular forum I should post this in? Thanks for your help.

alanint · 01-19-2011, 04:52 PM

Yes, post your photos here so we can look at them. Include all markings, serial #s, etc.

The "Book Guys" refers to the gentlemen on the forum who have extensive data bases and expertise in origins, production dates and other information relating to the creation of your pistol.

Welcome to the forum!

wagood24 · 01-19-2011, 05:09 PM

Thanks a lot for the info. I'll try to post some pics soon. I was just looking at it and noticed for the first time that it has the numbers matching clip with what I'm guessing is a wooden base. How significant is this?

DavidJayUden · 01-19-2011, 05:57 PM

Couldn't hurt...
Let's see those photos.
dju

wagood24 · 01-19-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

Couldn't hurt...
Let's see those photos.
dju

Ok here are the pictures. These pics are of a 1914 Erfurt Lugar. All numbers are matching including on clip. I'm not sure about the bluing or strawing or if I'm even using those terms correctly. My great-grandfather who bought this worked at an ordinance shop which is where he bought the WWII U.S. Leather holster pictured. So he very well may have re-blued this, I don't know. Anyways, the serial number is 7787 and any and all information including approximate worth would be very much appreciated.

alanint · 01-19-2011, 08:46 PM

Sadly, your gun is a reblue with a buggered sideplate and takedown lever to boot. This relegates your gun to a shooter's status, along with a much reduced value.

Is that stamped letters I see just above the safety or just dings in the metal? It almost looks like it reads "Germany"!

mrerick · 01-19-2011, 09:23 PM

What is the "K" stamp at the bottom of the stock lug? Is this a VoPo gun marked for "kriminalpolzei" Criminal Investigation Service?

In the full size photo, the mark on the left receiver ear is clearly a partial stamped import mark "Germany".

So, to answer your valuation question. A refinish drops collector interest alot. So does an import marked Luger. Even all matching including magazine generally can't bring value up much in that condition, The damaged take down lever drops value too.

Assuming it functions properly without any issues, it should be worth $575-$675 as a shooter grade Luger.

Of course, actual value is what you'd obtain in an open market sale.

Marc

tomaustin · 01-19-2011, 09:27 PM

that is your value......be happy to have a family heirloom and enjoy shooting it....have a gunsmith check it carefully and then head to the range........welcome to the board.....tom

wagood24 · 01-19-2011, 09:42 PM

Wow that's disappointing. Well I appreciate all the input guys.

DavidJayUden · 01-19-2011, 10:32 PM

You might consider having our own Thor giving it a facelift to bring it back to orig. specs. It will never be a highly calued collectable piece, but it can be improved on. And it will be easier for your children to look at.
dju

wagood24 · 01-20-2011, 11:48 AM

Thanks, that was what I was wondering next, i.e. what can I do to improve it's look, value, longevity, and such. So thanks for the input.

Edward Tinker · 01-20-2011, 11:56 AM

you could improve its originality / looks, but it will cost $400-$500 to do so, and the value won't be what you put into it and its original value (worth less than 1K) and what you'll have for your kids or whomever is a gun that is NOT as your grandfather gave it to you, but what you think it was before he got it...

Ed

tomaustin · 01-20-2011, 08:52 PM

go to the range, and enjoy........we all have a shooter

01-19-2011, 03:49 PM	#1
wagood24 User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Can you track down history of your Luger based on the serial number? I've had my 1914 Luger for a couple years now but I've always wondered if you could track down the origin of the gun. I know the Nazi's were nutorious for record keeping and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a way to look up my serial number somewhere to see where it came from. Of course, my Luger very well might not have ever been held by a Nazi but I'm still curious. It has marks all over it, fortunately I think it's all numbers matching, and even though I don't have a cool war story to tell about it, that doesn't mean there isn't a good story to learn about it. Any help to this newb would be appreciated. Thanks!

01-19-2011, 09:23 PM	#9
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	What is the "K" stamp at the bottom of the stock lug? Is this a VoPo gun marked for "kriminalpolzei" Criminal Investigation Service? In the full size photo, the mark on the left receiver ear is clearly a partial stamped import mark "Germany". So, to answer your valuation question. A refinish drops collector interest alot. So does an import marked Luger. Even all matching including magazine generally can't bring value up much in that condition, The damaged take down lever drops value too. Assuming it functions properly without any issues, it should be worth $575-$675 as a shooter grade Luger. Of course, actual value is what you'd obtain in an open market sale. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-19-2011, 09:27 PM	#10
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	you received this luger from your great grandfather.... that is your value......be happy to have a family heirloom and enjoy shooting it....have a gunsmith check it carefully and then head to the range........welcome to the board.....tom

01-20-2011, 11:56 AM	#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	you could improve its originality / looks, but it will cost $400-$500 to do so, and the value won't be what you put into it and its original value (worth less than 1K) and what you'll have for your kids or whomever is a gun that is NOT as your grandfather gave it to you, but what you think it was before he got it... 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

01-20-2011, 08:52 PM	#15
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	as Ed so eloquently said, clean it up, check it out, go to the range, and enjoy........we all have a shooter

01-19-2011, 03:58 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Clearly photo the gun and all markings, numbers, etc, and provide any info./history that you might already have, and some of the book guys might be able to shed some light. But don't expect much beyond year and place of manufacture, etc, unless there are specific unit markings. Specific issue records by serial number don't seem to be available. Welcome. dju

01-19-2011, 04:52 PM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Yes, post your photos here so we can look at them. Include all markings, serial #s, etc. The "Book Guys" refers to the gentlemen on the forum who have extensive data bases and expertise in origins, production dates and other information relating to the creation of your pistol. Welcome to the forum!

01-19-2011, 05:09 PM	#5
wagood24 User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks a lot for the info. I'll try to post some pics soon. I was just looking at it and noticed for the first time that it has the numbers matching clip with what I'm guessing is a wooden base. How significant is this?

01-19-2011, 05:57 PM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Couldn't hurt... Let's see those photos. dju

01-19-2011, 08:46 PM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Sadly, your gun is a reblue with a buggered sideplate and takedown lever to boot. This relegates your gun to a shooter's status, along with a much reduced value. Is that stamped letters I see just above the safety or just dings in the metal? It almost looks like it reads "Germany"!

01-19-2011, 09:42 PM	#11
wagood24 User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow that's disappointing. Well I appreciate all the input guys.

01-19-2011, 10:32 PM	#12
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	You might consider having our own Thor giving it a facelift to bring it back to orig. specs. It will never be a highly calued collectable piece, but it can be improved on. And it will be easier for your children to look at. dju

01-20-2011, 11:48 AM	#13
wagood24 User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 6 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, that was what I was wondering next, i.e. what can I do to improve it's look, value, longevity, and such. So thanks for the input.