Need Help. New Luger Owner.

rhyslucas · 09-27-2011, 05:06 PM

Hello All,

I just inherited the Luger that my grandfather brought back with him from WWII and I was hoping to learn more about it. I have posted some pics (sorry if they're not the best, amateur photog) and was hoping you all could help figure out what I have. While my grandfather showed this to me once when I was a boy, he would never talk about how it came in to his possession (or about his experiences in the war in general). Although I have no interest in selling, I would like to know the value for insurance purposes and anything else you can tell my about this piece of history.

I know the mag is original and to my knowledge, the gun has never been tampered with as all the markings match. The holster has no markings on it and my father and I assumed that my grandpa had it made for the gun when he returned to the states in 1945.

Any help anyone can provide is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Mike Z · 09-27-2011, 07:07 PM

Welcome, WOW!!! a great Looking byf 41. Your Inherited Luger was made by Mauser in 1941. Appears to be in great condition. The magazine may very well be original to the Luger. The holster though I have no Idea. In my opinion Your Luger if all #'s match is worth at least 2k without the holster. Form what I've heard the Veterans that don't tell much about the experiences are the ones that went through the worst things. My Grandfather would not speak a word either. Take good care of the Luger nothing Like An Inherited Luger from your Grandfather.
Mike Z.

DavidJayUden · 09-27-2011, 07:19 PM

I agree that for insurance purposes $2k is about right. In this economy you may, or may not, have some trouble getting that in cash.
I'm interested to hear out holster-Guru chime in on the leather.
Very nice and congrat's!
dju

Mike Z · 09-27-2011, 07:29 PM

I agree dju, My guess is Luftwaffe. Just A Guess.
Mike Z.

Frank · 09-27-2011, 08:01 PM

Rhys, nice 41 byf!! Your serial number 1239z was completed about October 1941. BTW, thanks again for the data and welcome to the Luger Forum.

wlyon · 09-27-2011, 08:38 PM

Nice luger!! I would guess the holster is one made up somewhere sometime. The German military did not use shoulder holsters. I suppose it could have been made for a german military person but not officially. Bill

mrerick · 09-27-2011, 09:50 PM

Hi Rhys, and welcome to the forum.

You have a superb beauty of a Luger there. Congratulations. In it's high state and original finish it is very collectible. Collectors look for all matching Lugers that are as close to original factory state as possible, and it looks like you have one there.

This style, with the bakelite grips and magazine base, were marketed as "Black Widow" Lugers by Ralph Shattuck over many years. It was a "marketing" name, but now is commonly recognized.

It is not a good idea to keep it stored in it's holster because chemicals used to tan the leather can eventually damage the finish and lead to pitting corrosion.

Also, consider not firing an all matching gun since a great deal of it's collector value is lost if a part is broken or lost.

Marc

rhyslucas · 09-28-2011, 12:48 AM

Thank you all so much for the information! I think I've stumbled in to an exciting new hobby here. There's so much knowledge and enthusiasm on this site. It's infectious!

09-27-2011, 05:06 PM	#1
rhyslucas New User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 3 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Need Help. New Luger Owner. Hello All, I just inherited the Luger that my grandfather brought back with him from WWII and I was hoping to learn more about it. I have posted some pics (sorry if they're not the best, amateur photog) and was hoping you all could help figure out what I have. While my grandfather showed this to me once when I was a boy, he would never talk about how it came in to his possession (or about his experiences in the war in general). Although I have no interest in selling, I would like to know the value for insurance purposes and anything else you can tell my about this piece of history. I know the mag is original and to my knowledge, the gun has never been tampered with as all the markings match. The holster has no markings on it and my father and I assumed that my grandpa had it made for the gun when he returned to the states in 1945. Any help anyone can provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks! Attached Thumbnails

09-27-2011, 08:38 PM	#6
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,631 Thanks: 3,170 Thanked 2,555 Times in 954 Posts	Nice luger!! I would guess the holster is one made up somewhere sometime. The German military did not use shoulder holsters. I suppose it could have been made for a german military person but not officially. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

09-27-2011, 09:50 PM	#7
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	Hi Rhys, and welcome to the forum. You have a superb beauty of a Luger there. Congratulations. In it's high state and original finish it is very collectible. Collectors look for all matching Lugers that are as close to original factory state as possible, and it looks like you have one there. This style, with the bakelite grips and magazine base, were marketed as "Black Widow" Lugers by Ralph Shattuck over many years. It was a "marketing" name, but now is commonly recognized. It is not a good idea to keep it stored in it's holster because chemicals used to tan the leather can eventually damage the finish and lead to pitting corrosion. Also, consider not firing an all matching gun since a great deal of it's collector value is lost if a part is broken or lost. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-27-2011, 07:07 PM	#2
Mike Z User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 180 Thanks: 51 Thanked 79 Times in 39 Posts	Welcome, WOW!!! a great Looking byf 41. Your Inherited Luger was made by Mauser in 1941. Appears to be in great condition. The magazine may very well be original to the Luger. The holster though I have no Idea. In my opinion Your Luger if all #'s match is worth at least 2k without the holster. Form what I've heard the Veterans that don't tell much about the experiences are the ones that went through the worst things. My Grandfather would not speak a word either. Take good care of the Luger nothing Like An Inherited Luger from your Grandfather. Mike Z.

09-27-2011, 07:19 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I agree that for insurance purposes $2k is about right. In this economy you may, or may not, have some trouble getting that in cash. I'm interested to hear out holster-Guru chime in on the leather. Very nice and congrat's! dju

09-27-2011, 07:29 PM	#4
Mike Z User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 180 Thanks: 51 Thanked 79 Times in 39 Posts	I agree dju, My guess is Luftwaffe. Just A Guess. Mike Z.

09-27-2011, 08:01 PM	#5
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Rhys, nice 41 byf!! Your serial number 1239z was completed about October 1941. BTW, thanks again for the data and welcome to the Luger Forum.

09-28-2011, 12:48 AM	#8
rhyslucas New User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 3 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thank you all so much for the information! I think I've stumbled in to an exciting new hobby here. There's so much knowledge and enthusiasm on this site. It's infectious!