1913 Erfurt mismatch question

[LugerErik]

Hi Everyone, its great to be a part of this forum. I have been looking into buying my first Luger for awhile now and came across this one for $1250.

I am worried about a few things though and cant find answers yet for them. First is, the serial number 445 is lower than the start of the range it should be in.

Also, it looks like the toggle piece where the manufacturer stamp emblem is has been replaced with serial number ending in 48.

Should I stay clear of this one due to the mismatched numbered part and very early serial numbered range?

Thanks. Erik

[wlyon]

The price sounds very high for a mismatched luger. Based on your limited pictures it also looks reblued. What is the serial number suffix? Bill

[Edward Tinker]

Erik, welcome to the forum!

We need more information to tell you if its mismatched.

Where are numbers? are all other parts matching?

Close ups of the numbers?

[LugerErik]

Thanks for the replies. A little more info on this pistol -

First off, its coming from a friend that collects WWII memorabilia and I have a German WWII Postal Leader dress dagger to barter with plus cash. So, its not from a complete stranger.

I dont have anymore pictures of this Luger but all numbers match except for the 48 below the Erfurt crown on the top. It does look like there is a lower case q on just behind the 1913 year above the last 2 digit serial number 45.

for a 1913 erfurt the serial number range should be between 575-2563b with around 25,000 made. And I have seen completed auctions online sell them for around $1200-1300 in less desirable condition but with matching numbers.

[Norme]

Originally Posted by LugerErik

for a 1913 erfurt the serial number range should be between 575-2563b with around 25,000 made. And I have seen completed auctions online sell them for around $1200-1300 in less desirable condition but with matching numbers.

Hi Erik, Welcome to the forum! You seem to have misinterpreted the serial number data from Jan Still's "Imperial Lugers". At the time this book was written, some 20 years ago, the lowest REPORTED serial number was 575. Erfurt serial numbers started at 1 each year, so the fact that your gun has a serial number lower than 575 is in no way remarkable.
Other than that, I have to agree with Bill's comments. A refinished gun with one (at least) mismatched part is a "shooter", and should be priced accordingly.
Regards, Norm

[LugerErik]

Ok. Thanks for the info. I just assumed that the they started the serial number for that year with 575. Plus I didnt know that refinished Lugers brings the value to a shooter level.

I talked with the owner of the Luger today and expressed my concerns. He is a big collectors of WWII related pistols and uniform decorations. We are trying to do an even trade for my German Postal Leader dress dagger valued at around $3000.

I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again for the help on identifying this piece.

[wlyon]

Erik
The luger is worth $800-$1000. If your dagger is worth $3000 ?????? Bill

[LugerErik]

Yes, the dagger is worth around $3000, I was planning on doing a multi gun trade as well as cash. Another guy I am looking at from him is a 1944 Mauser P38 with french star on the right side and extra magazine and original leather holster.

[Edward Tinker]

Erik, depending on how much you have invested in the dagger, tell us some of the other items from the trade here and we can shoot some values back

French star would usually be a 1945 - unless a 44 that went into service if I remember right.

ed

[LugerErik]

Edward,

what exactly is flat some of the trade?

That is also what I found out about the french starred P38. They usually are SVW 45 markings with the star, a different finish, and metal grips.

But the one I am looking at has BYF 44, with bakelite? grips. So I am thinking maybe this is one of the original run the french assembled before changing the suffix to SVW.

Bear with me if I look like a novice in my knowledge. I have only had an interest so far in guns for about 6 months.

[LugerErik]

Thought I would share a picture of the dagger......

[Edward Tinker]

heavens knows what I wrote and what I was thinking

tell us some of the other items from the trade here...

[LugerErik]

Well.....not sure on what else he is willing to trade for the dagger.

He lives down here in Naples FL where I live but has his main house up in Reading Pennsylvania. He goes up in about 2 weeks to visit family and is bringing back the BYF 44 P38 and some Lugers that he wants to barter with. I will know for sure when he comes back, which might be a total of 3 to 4 weeks from now.

[alanint]

Erik,

I live in Marco Island and would be happy to offer my limited knowledge to anything he has to trade.

[Tony Min]

Originally Posted by LugerErik

Edward,

what exactly is flat some of the trade?

That is also what I found out about the french starred P38. They usually are SVW 45 markings with the star, a different finish, and metal grips.

But the one I am looking at has BYF 44, with bakelite? grips. So I am thinking maybe this is one of the original run the french assembled before changing the suffix to SVW.

Bear with me if I look like a novice in my knowledge. I have only had an interest so far in guns for about 6 months.

I would post about the P38 on their forum. They have some people there that don't come here.

[LugerErik]

alanint,
thanks for the offer for help in the future. Have you ever came down to naples and visited Heritage Arms? Lots of Luger's and P38's for sale. I bought a Czechoslovakian CZ70 from them awhile back and love it.

Tony Min,
Thanks for the advice. I assume you are referring to p38forum.com and not waltherforum.com?

[alanint]

Yes, I know Joe over at Heritage. They always have nice consignments.