Question (hopefully someone can answer)

thornbirdguy · 07-06-2012, 11:53 AM

Hi everyone. I've been trolling the site for a while trying to find as much information as I can before asking anything. As far as I can tell I have a 1908 Naval Luger. One thing I can't seem to find is what the markings on the backstrap mean. The top line is 1SB and under it it has 711. The other is the type of holster. It isn't the enclosed one like you see in all the movies, it is a shoulder type with the grip and tip of the barrel exposed. I can't find any marks on it for ID. Pretty sure it's nothing too rare or expensive, just wondering what it is. I can post a pic if needed, but it may take a day or so(I'm at work). Any help or information is greatly appreciated.

thornbirdguy · 07-06-2012, 01:06 PM

Looks like I put this in the wrong spot. Sorry guys.

George Anderson · 07-06-2012, 01:11 PM

The grip strap marking indicates that it was issued to the 1st Sea Battalion. It was weapon number 711 in that unit's inventory. It seems more likely it is a 1906 type, does it have a grip safety?

The holster you describe sounds like an after war nonmilitary holster.

Norme · 07-06-2012, 01:15 PM

Hi Randy, Welcome to the forum! We would love to see photos of your 1908 Navy, and the holster too. The unit mark on the rear grip strap stands for: 1st Sea Battalion, weapon #711. Sea Battalion marks are rare and very desirable. I'd appreciate the serial number of the gun, as I'd like to add it to the Navy List. Thanks, Norm

Norme · 07-06-2012, 01:24 PM

Hi George, It wouldn't surprise me if Randy's gun is a 1908. There are three other Sea Battalion marked 1908's on the list and no less than six 1916's. They are closely grouped numerically so I have to believe they're legit. Best regards, Norm

thornbirdguy · 07-06-2012, 04:04 PM

Yes it has a grip safety. I'll try to get a few pics up either this afternoon or tomorrow morning. I really do appreciate the help guys.

Norme · 07-06-2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thornbirdguy

Yes it has a grip safety. I'll try to get a few pics up either this afternoon or tomorrow morning. I really do appreciate the help guys.

Hi Randy, It seems you have, as George suspected, a 1906 Navy after all. When you post photos be sure to include one of the thumb safety in the up position. Regards, Norm

thornbirdguy · 07-17-2012, 03:20 AM

Sorry about not posting pics yet. Been really busy. Hope to have some up Wed-Thurs.

thornbirdguy · 08-03-2012, 10:25 PM

Hope this works...

I picked up a magazine yesterday. It has a wood base plate. No clue if that is important, but it looks cool. Sorry for the long delay in posting the pics too.

Norme · 08-03-2012, 11:02 PM

Hi Randy, Your gun looks like an honest old sailor. Collectors call this model a 1906 1st Altered, because the safety has been altered so that the gun is safe when the lever is in the down position. The barrel serial number shows no halos, which is correct for the early, no suffix, guns, and the Crown/M's on the left receiver are the three lobe crown type, which is also correct. Despite the finish problems it's still a very collectible gun.
I can't comment on the holster, as it's not Imperial Navy, perhaps someone else can identify it.
Best regards, Norm

alanint · 08-04-2012, 09:21 AM

Your holster is a civilian copy of the World War 2 era M3 shoulder holster for the 1911 pistol.

thornbirdguy · 08-04-2012, 09:55 AM

Any ideas on value?

Edward Tinker · 08-04-2012, 10:34 AM

$1800-$2500

Lower amount it would sell quick, higher amount depends on who is looking for one and how it looks in person

thornbirdguy · 08-04-2012, 11:36 AM

Thanks everyone. It would still be sitting in a safe if it wasn't for everyone's input.

07-06-2012, 11:53 AM	#1
thornbirdguy User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jamesville, NC Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Question (hopefully someone can answer) Hi everyone. I've been trolling the site for a while trying to find as much information as I can before asking anything. As far as I can tell I have a 1908 Naval Luger. One thing I can't seem to find is what the markings on the backstrap mean. The top line is 1SB and under it it has 711. The other is the type of holster. It isn't the enclosed one like you see in all the movies, it is a shoulder type with the grip and tip of the barrel exposed. I can't find any marks on it for ID. Pretty sure it's nothing too rare or expensive, just wondering what it is. I can post a pic if needed, but it may take a day or so(I'm at work). Any help or information is greatly appreciated.

07-06-2012, 01:06 PM	#2
thornbirdguy User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jamesville, NC Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Looks like I put this in the wrong spot. Sorry guys.

07-06-2012, 01:11 PM	#3
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,529 Times in 787 Posts	The grip strap marking indicates that it was issued to the 1st Sea Battalion. It was weapon number 711 in that unit's inventory. It seems more likely it is a 1906 type, does it have a grip safety? The holster you describe sounds like an after war nonmilitary holster.

07-06-2012, 01:15 PM	#4
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Randy, Welcome to the forum! We would love to see photos of your 1908 Navy, and the holster too. The unit mark on the rear grip strap stands for: 1st Sea Battalion, weapon #711. Sea Battalion marks are rare and very desirable. I'd appreciate the serial number of the gun, as I'd like to add it to the Navy List. Thanks, Norm

07-06-2012, 01:24 PM	#5
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi George, It wouldn't surprise me if Randy's gun is a 1908. There are three other Sea Battalion marked 1908's on the list and no less than six 1916's. They are closely grouped numerically so I have to believe they're legit. Best regards, Norm

07-06-2012, 04:04 PM	#6
thornbirdguy User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jamesville, NC Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yes it has a grip safety. I'll try to get a few pics up either this afternoon or tomorrow morning. I really do appreciate the help guys.

07-17-2012, 03:20 AM	#8
thornbirdguy User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jamesville, NC Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Sorry about not posting pics yet. Been really busy. Hope to have some up Wed-Thurs.

08-03-2012, 10:25 PM	#9
thornbirdguy User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jamesville, NC Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hope this works... I picked up a magazine yesterday. It has a wood base plate. No clue if that is important, but it looks cool. Sorry for the long delay in posting the pics too.

08-03-2012, 11:02 PM	#10
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Randy, Your gun looks like an honest old sailor. Collectors call this model a 1906 1st Altered, because the safety has been altered so that the gun is safe when the lever is in the down position. The barrel serial number shows no halos, which is correct for the early, no suffix, guns, and the Crown/M's on the left receiver are the three lobe crown type, which is also correct. Despite the finish problems it's still a very collectible gun. I can't comment on the holster, as it's not Imperial Navy, perhaps someone else can identify it. Best regards, Norm

08-04-2012, 09:21 AM	#11
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Your holster is a civilian copy of the World War 2 era M3 shoulder holster for the 1911 pistol.

08-04-2012, 09:55 AM	#12
thornbirdguy User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jamesville, NC Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Any ideas on value?

08-04-2012, 10:34 AM	#13
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	$1800-$2500 Lower amount it would sell quick, higher amount depends on who is looking for one and how it looks in person

08-04-2012, 11:36 AM	#14
thornbirdguy User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Jamesville, NC Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks everyone. It would still be sitting in a safe if it wasn't for everyone's input.