Question from a new member

aftrainco · 01-19-2014, 12:57 PM

My Dad brought back a beautiful 1915 Luger in excellent condition, all matching numbers including clip. He is 90 years old and I just had to put him in a nursing home with dementia. I now have piece in my possession. He brought it back in a black holster dated 1942. There is a 1915 brown holster on Ebay at this time, it is in very good condition. My question is this: would purchasing the 1915 holster add significant value to justify the $400.00 price? I have attached pic of this piece, hope it goes thru. Thanks in advance for any advise. Larry

Edward Tinker · 01-19-2014, 01:02 PM

Larry, buying a holster to increase the value is not the best way to go - although it might be worth $400 (sounds high) - many people will buy a luger and be pleased to get a holster - but few would pay $400 more IMO

Is your luger all matching?
Original - condition (looks nice)

spartacus38 · 01-19-2014, 01:06 PM

The Luger stands on its own.The holster will not make the gun more valuable.Ed is correct.
Bob

aftrainco · 01-19-2014, 03:38 PM

This Luger does have all matching numbers, including clip. Being totally clueless on the value of this piece, would anyone venture an estimate?

Edward Tinker · 01-19-2014, 03:49 PM

Not without a lot more pictures and close ups

The vale of an army vs a police repurpose is a lot
The value of a all matching, all small parts should have last two

Geo99 · 01-19-2014, 04:05 PM

Welcome Larry,

You have what appears to be a beautiful very high condition WWI Luger.
Based on the one picture, assuming it is all matching and nothing is damaged, the value could be anywhere from $1000 to $2500.

It is impossible to estimate any closer without seeing many more pictures of the gun AND the magazine. What do the other sides look like? What does the inside look like?
You need to show every view (top/bottom/front/back/right/left) and all the exposed numbers.

- Geo

mrerick · 01-19-2014, 04:17 PM

If it were me, I would preserve the history - just as your father brought it back to the US from WW-II.

It is also rather unusual to see a WW-I Luger in this high a condition of preservation. Don't store it in the holster. That can cause finish damage. Keep it separately in a silicon impregnated gun sock or bore store.

I would value this at the higher end of the previously quoted price range, especially if the magazine is matching.

I'm sorry to hear about your father's illness. These can be very trying times. My father, also a WW-II veteran, passed away 12 years ago. He was also in dementia care for the last months of his life.

Marc

Marc

Edward Tinker · 01-19-2014, 06:31 PM

heck, I forgot about this posting I just made

HOW TO ID A LUGER

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=31977

Curly1 · 01-19-2014, 08:14 PM

Welcome to the forum Larry.

Nice heirloom in and of itself.

CAP Black · 01-19-2014, 10:57 PM

In my opinion, a rig (luger and holster and tool) are worth more to many buyers. If the additional items are exact matches then price goes up a little more - especially for a matching magazine. A second matching magazine increases value another $ 1,000.00 or more.
If you look at the avatars on the individuals on this and other forums you will see what the members are showing as their show items.
thanks
Jack

alanint · 01-20-2014, 06:52 AM

$400 for a holster is on the high end, unless it is close to pristine condition and/or a rare manufacturer. Wait until a 1915 or earlier holster comes around at a more reasonable price. They are out there.

Sergio Natali · 01-20-2014, 09:24 AM

Welcom to this forum, I think Mark (Mrerick) gave you a good answer.

Not may many people would buy a holster for that price in the hope to increase the value of their gun.

sheepherder · 01-20-2014, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAP Black

A second matching magazine increases value another $ 1,000.00 or more.

...

...$1000.00 for a second matching magazine??? You're sure about that??? If so, I will walk away all day from those deals...

DavidJayUden · 01-20-2014, 10:50 AM

Having a matching Luger AND TWO matching mags. is pretty rare. I'm thinking that the $1000 figure is pretty good.
I have never seen such a set first hand, and just about all I see on-line have suspect mag. markings.
dju

Ben M. · 01-20-2014, 02:00 PM

by all means keep the 1942 holster with your dad's pistol. your dad got that gun and holster during ww2 and we assume it was liberated from a german soldier as a pair.

yes the 1915 dated gun must have had a ww1 era holster at some time. but the history of the gun surviving in germany through the 1920s and 1930s and then the gun was put into service in ww2 with the 1942 holster just adds to this guns overall history.

when your father passes, this gun/holster will be your family treasure as a keepsake from your father.

one question : does this gun have a 1920 date stamped just above the original 1915 date on the top of the chamber?

aftrainco · 01-22-2014, 08:46 PM

It does not have the 1920 stamp.

CAP Black · 01-22-2014, 10:24 PM

Let's hear from the big collectors. They can inform us of what they have in the way of two matching or three matching mags and the total increase and worth.
Jack

01-19-2014, 12:57 PM	#1
aftrainco New User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Question from a new member My Dad brought back a beautiful 1915 Luger in excellent condition, all matching numbers including clip. He is 90 years old and I just had to put him in a nursing home with dementia. I now have piece in my possession. He brought it back in a black holster dated 1942. There is a 1915 brown holster on Ebay at this time, it is in very good condition. My question is this: would purchasing the 1915 holster add significant value to justify the $400.00 price? I have attached pic of this piece, hope it goes thru. Thanks in advance for any advise. Larry Attached Thumbnails

01-19-2014, 01:02 PM	#2
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	Larry, buying a holster to increase the value is not the best way to go - although it might be worth $400 (sounds high) - many people will buy a luger and be pleased to get a holster - but few would pay $400 more IMO Is your luger all matching? Original - condition (looks nice) __________________ 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

01-19-2014, 03:38 PM	#4
aftrainco New User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for advise This Luger does have all matching numbers, including clip. Being totally clueless on the value of this piece, would anyone venture an estimate?

01-19-2014, 04:05 PM	#6
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 400 Thanks: 102 Thanked 127 Times in 75 Posts	Welcome Larry, You have what appears to be a beautiful very high condition WWI Luger. Based on the one picture, assuming it is all matching and nothing is damaged, the value could be anywhere from $1000 to $2500. It is impossible to estimate any closer without seeing many more pictures of the gun AND the magazine. What do the other sides look like? What does the inside look like? You need to show every view (top/bottom/front/back/right/left) and all the exposed numbers. - Geo __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

01-19-2014, 04:17 PM	#7
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	If it were me, I would preserve the history - just as your father brought it back to the US from WW-II. It is also rather unusual to see a WW-I Luger in this high a condition of preservation. Don't store it in the holster. That can cause finish damage. Keep it separately in a silicon impregnated gun sock or bore store. I would value this at the higher end of the previously quoted price range, especially if the magazine is matching. I'm sorry to hear about your father's illness. These can be very trying times. My father, also a WW-II veteran, passed away 12 years ago. He was also in dementia care for the last months of his life. Marc Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-19-2014, 01:06 PM	#3
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	The Luger stands on its own.The holster will not make the gun more valuable.Ed is correct. Bob

01-19-2014, 03:49 PM	#5
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	Not without a lot more pictures and close ups The vale of an army vs a police repurpose is a lot The value of a all matching, all small parts should have last two

01-19-2014, 06:31 PM	#8
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	heck, I forgot about this posting I just made HOW TO ID A LUGER http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=31977

01-19-2014, 08:14 PM	#9
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,247 Thanks: 125 Thanked 717 Times in 374 Posts	Welcome to the forum Larry. Nice heirloom in and of itself. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

01-19-2014, 10:57 PM	#10
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	In my opinion, a rig (luger and holster and tool) are worth more to many buyers. If the additional items are exact matches then price goes up a little more - especially for a matching magazine. A second matching magazine increases value another $ 1,000.00 or more. If you look at the avatars on the individuals on this and other forums you will see what the members are showing as their show items. thanks Jack

01-20-2014, 06:52 AM	#11
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	$400 for a holster is on the high end, unless it is close to pristine condition and/or a rare manufacturer. Wait until a 1915 or earlier holster comes around at a more reasonable price. They are out there.

01-20-2014, 09:24 AM	#12
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Welcom to this forum, I think Mark (Mrerick) gave you a good answer. Not may many people would buy a holster for that price in the hope to increase the value of their gun. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

01-20-2014, 10:50 AM	#14
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Having a matching Luger AND TWO matching mags. is pretty rare. I'm thinking that the $1000 figure is pretty good. I have never seen such a set first hand, and just about all I see on-line have suspect mag. markings. dju

01-20-2014, 02:00 PM	#15
Ben M. User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Retired to Naples, FL. Posts: 499 Thanks: 96 Thanked 146 Times in 91 Posts	by all means keep the 1942 holster with your dad's pistol. your dad got that gun and holster during ww2 and we assume it was liberated from a german soldier as a pair. yes the 1915 dated gun must have had a ww1 era holster at some time. but the history of the gun surviving in germany through the 1920s and 1930s and then the gun was put into service in ww2 with the 1942 holster just adds to this guns overall history. when your father passes, this gun/holster will be your family treasure as a keepsake from your father. one question : does this gun have a 1920 date stamped just above the original 1915 date on the top of the chamber?

01-22-2014, 08:46 PM	#16
aftrainco New User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1920 stamp It does not have the 1920 stamp.

01-22-2014, 10:24 PM	#17
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 174 Times in 96 Posts	Let's hear from the big collectors. They can inform us of what they have in the way of two matching or three matching mags and the total increase and worth. Jack