Aquired a commercial Luger and need info

tojo213 · 05-08-2012, 05:25 AM

I purchased a rifle, shotgun, and this Luger in the same deal. All for one money. The Luger value was the uknown factor and I took a chance. I know this was made between WWI and WWII and hope someone can tell me more about it. I have not taken it apart but it appears to be all matching. Excellent bore. I would welcome any input and also appreciate an approximate value. Would like to know how I came out in the deal. Thanks.........

CJS57 · 05-08-2012, 06:26 AM

It is what used to be called a 1920 Commercial. Now called letter series commercial. If matching and as good as it looks so far, it is about $1200 and up on Gunbroker.

sheepherder · 05-08-2012, 06:48 AM

Straw looks good; edges look sharp; doesn't look refinished...I'd say the $1200 is a bit high, but not unusual for a GB sale...Grips look almost new...Mag wood looks good also...

If you figured $850 - $900 then I'd say you got your money's worth...

alvin · 05-08-2012, 07:01 AM

This is probably the best Weimar alphabet commercial that I've seen. This should be a keeper if you collect Lugers. Plentiful of them are floating on the market, but one like this new is uncommon.

But I agree with Postie, if we define value being "a number that you can get within 3 days", then it must be low. If not in big hurry fire sale, this one is so nice that I think it can demand premium.

DavidJayUden · 05-08-2012, 08:13 AM

I'm assuming no date over the chamber. .30 or 9mm?
dju

FNorm · 05-08-2012, 08:49 AM

Nice looking piece, The 'N' suffix was made late 1924, early 1925. With your low serial no. probably late 1924.

padredan · 05-08-2012, 11:49 AM

very nice, i would say 1200.00 plus

glock30 · 05-08-2012, 03:08 PM

I don't know how these people get these 1,200 price tags, I think the internet ruined all this, in my opinion, no commercial, in great shape, should be no more than 1,000. And a WW1 for that matter, but I am an old timer. I paid 700 for my commerical and that was a fair price. Imperial and commercial Lugers certainly are not rare, but 1,000 now days seems to be the norm.

glock30 · 05-08-2012, 03:09 PM

MIne is a N and I was told it was made in 1923, on this forum. N9025

Lugerdoc · 05-08-2012, 05:05 PM

I don't know if it's the photo, but the DWM toggle markings look a bit "soft" (perhaps buffed and refinished). Also the strawed finished parts are almost too perfect to be original. If I'm correct, this would lower the value by at least 25%. TH

Norme · 05-08-2012, 05:12 PM

Hi Tom, I too, have reservations about this gun. I don't collect Commercials, but I would have thought the barrel serial number would show halos. Regards, Norm

alvin · 05-08-2012, 06:18 PM

The barrel did show halo. The original photo is too dark. The witness mark's viewing angle is awkward on this picture. Looks like it has halo as well.

tojo213 · 05-09-2012, 12:17 AM

Thanks to all who took the time to respond. The Luger has not seen the light of day until now. The privious owner had it tucked away for many years. He was 95 when he passed away three years ago. His son found it after his father passed. The son lived with his Dad all his life and had never seen the Luger before finding it. All the son could tell me is his Dad collected stuff when he was younger so he thought his Dad had it for a long time. The DWM has not been buffed out. The picture is just a bit blurry. There is no date over the chamber and it is a 9MM. Again, thanks for your input.

MFC · 05-09-2012, 12:49 AM

I agree with Alvin. To me this one looks like an original 98-99% gun. The picture of the DWM logo is just out of focus. Most Alphabet Commercials go for around $750- $1000 but, for one this nice $1200 is not out of line.

sheepherder · 05-09-2012, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tojo213

There is no date over the chamber and it is a 9MM.

A 9mm commercial is pretty rare in itself...

MFC · 05-10-2012, 12:37 AM

I doubt it is a 9mm. It should be a 30 cal./7.65mm.
Will an eraser of a pencil fit easily into the barrel? If it doesn't or is very tight, it is a 30 cal.
If you post a picture of the muzzle we can tell you what it is, but again, I'm pretty sure this one is not a 9mm.

tojo213 · 05-10-2012, 06:22 AM

Mike,

I took a #2 pencil and can slide the eraser end down the barrel without having to use any force. Guess I am really confused now. Thanks for you help.

alanint · 05-10-2012, 08:06 AM

Disassemble the pistol carefully and look down the barrel from the chamber end. If the chamger is stepped, then it is a .30, if straight walled, then it would be a 9mm.

padredan · 05-10-2012, 10:05 AM

I think it is one of the nicest commercials i have seen anywhere and when you see one this nice you tend to be sceptical, because it looks too good. Over the years i have missed out on some great firearms by being too scepical or waiting to get a steal on them, no more. Being semi retired and having more time on my hands and extra money i look for quality over price and in the luger markets around here this one would be high quality and sought after.

tojo213 · 05-12-2012, 02:23 AM

Alanint,
I took it apart and it is stepped. Thanks.

05-08-2012, 05:25 AM	#1
tojo213 New User Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Aquired a commercial Luger and need info I purchased a rifle, shotgun, and this Luger in the same deal. All for one money. The Luger value was the uknown factor and I took a chance. I know this was made between WWI and WWII and hope someone can tell me more about it. I have not taken it apart but it appears to be all matching. Excellent bore. I would welcome any input and also appreciate an approximate value. Would like to know how I came out in the deal. Thanks......... Attached Thumbnails

05-08-2012, 06:48 AM	#3
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,197 Thanks: 1,416 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	Straw looks good; edges look sharp; doesn't look refinished...I'd say the $1200 is a bit high, but not unusual for a GB sale...Grips look almost new...Mag wood looks good also... If you figured $850 - $900 then I'd say you got your money's worth... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

05-08-2012, 11:49 AM	#7
padredan User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: louisiana Now, but from the Rebublic of Texas Posts: 937 Thanks: 429 Thanked 316 Times in 182 Posts	very nice, i would say 1200.00 plus __________________ In this world nothing is free, except the grace of God

05-08-2012, 05:05 PM	#10
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	I don't know if it's the photo, but the DWM toggle markings look a bit "soft" (perhaps buffed and refinished). Also the strawed finished parts are almost too perfect to be original. If I'm correct, this would lower the value by at least 25%. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

05-08-2012, 06:18 PM	#12
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	The barrel did show halo. The original photo is too dark. The witness mark's viewing angle is awkward on this picture. Looks like it has halo as well. Attached Images

05-08-2012, 06:26 AM	#2
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	It is what used to be called a 1920 Commercial. Now called letter series commercial. If matching and as good as it looks so far, it is about $1200 and up on Gunbroker.

05-08-2012, 07:01 AM	#4
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	This is probably the best Weimar alphabet commercial that I've seen. This should be a keeper if you collect Lugers. Plentiful of them are floating on the market, but one like this new is uncommon. But I agree with Postie, if we define value being "a number that you can get within 3 days", then it must be low. If not in big hurry fire sale, this one is so nice that I think it can demand premium.

05-08-2012, 08:13 AM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'm assuming no date over the chamber. .30 or 9mm? dju

05-08-2012, 08:49 AM	#6
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Nice looking piece, The 'N' suffix was made late 1924, early 1925. With your low serial no. probably late 1924.

05-08-2012, 03:08 PM	#8
glock30 User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Obama LAND Posts: 206 Thanks: 18 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	I don't know how these people get these 1,200 price tags, I think the internet ruined all this, in my opinion, no commercial, in great shape, should be no more than 1,000. And a WW1 for that matter, but I am an old timer. I paid 700 for my commerical and that was a fair price. Imperial and commercial Lugers certainly are not rare, but 1,000 now days seems to be the norm.

05-08-2012, 03:09 PM	#9
glock30 User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Obama LAND Posts: 206 Thanks: 18 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	MIne is a N and I was told it was made in 1923, on this forum. N9025

05-08-2012, 05:12 PM	#11
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Tom, I too, have reservations about this gun. I don't collect Commercials, but I would have thought the barrel serial number would show halos. Regards, Norm

05-09-2012, 12:17 AM	#13
tojo213 New User Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks to all who took the time to respond. The Luger has not seen the light of day until now. The privious owner had it tucked away for many years. He was 95 when he passed away three years ago. His son found it after his father passed. The son lived with his Dad all his life and had never seen the Luger before finding it. All the son could tell me is his Dad collected stuff when he was younger so he thought his Dad had it for a long time. The DWM has not been buffed out. The picture is just a bit blurry. There is no date over the chamber and it is a 9MM. Again, thanks for your input.

05-09-2012, 12:49 AM	#14
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	I agree with Alvin. To me this one looks like an original 98-99% gun. The picture of the DWM logo is just out of focus. Most Alphabet Commercials go for around $750- $1000 but, for one this nice $1200 is not out of line. __________________ Mike C.

05-10-2012, 12:37 AM	#16
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	I doubt it is a 9mm. It should be a 30 cal./7.65mm. Will an eraser of a pencil fit easily into the barrel? If it doesn't or is very tight, it is a 30 cal. If you post a picture of the muzzle we can tell you what it is, but again, I'm pretty sure this one is not a 9mm. __________________ Mike C.

05-10-2012, 06:22 AM	#17
tojo213 New User Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mike, I took a #2 pencil and can slide the eraser end down the barrel without having to use any force. Guess I am really confused now. Thanks for you help.

05-10-2012, 08:06 AM	#18
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Disassemble the pistol carefully and look down the barrel from the chamber end. If the chamger is stepped, then it is a .30, if straight walled, then it would be a 9mm.

05-10-2012, 10:05 AM	#19
padredan User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: louisiana Now, but from the Rebublic of Texas Posts: 937 Thanks: 429 Thanked 316 Times in 182 Posts	I think it is one of the nicest commercials i have seen anywhere and when you see one this nice you tend to be sceptical, because it looks too good. Over the years i have missed out on some great firearms by being too scepical or waiting to get a steal on them, no more. Being semi retired and having more time on my hands and extra money i look for quality over price and in the luger markets around here this one would be high quality and sought after. __________________ In this world nothing is free, except the grace of God

05-12-2012, 02:23 AM	#20
tojo213 New User Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 4 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Alanint, I took it apart and it is stepped. Thanks.