Old Luger

jpdrag · 09-13-2014, 09:51 PM

My father gave me his old Luger. See attached pictures. .30 ammo with original magazine, wood end. DWM scroll on top. Serial number 3201. Interested in history and approximate value. Thanks in advance. I am new at all this!

jpdrag · 09-13-2014, 09:52 PM

Certain areas have a gold patina....

jpdrag · 09-13-2014, 09:56 PM

See attached. Another view.

ithacaartist · 09-13-2014, 11:59 PM

Welcome to the forum, John.

The community of collectors can help you figure out what this pistol is. We like to see pics showing all the markings, serial numbers, proofs, etc., so you have more work to do in order to get the best guidance.

This appears to be what is known as an "alphabet commercial", made in the 20s for non-military sales. There is a cursive letter on the front of the trigger guard, and it is part of the serial number, 3201 (n?). It helps the value if the finish is all original, the gun is in good condition, and all the serial-numbered parts match (should be "01" stamped where appropriate)--we can see best with pics! Check out the FAQ in the new collectors' section, you'll learn how to describe it. Check out other threads to see what kind of pics will help. Depending on what can be discerned, I think this is likely worth about $1k+, seems, so far, in quite good shape. The small parts displaying the "gold patina" are "strawed", i.e. heated to establish the straw color. Yours appear fairly vivid, which is good.

Well, that's a start for you. Others will comment with further info and questions, so get those extra pics posted. ASAP! Check out the videos about field stripping and other handy stuff, access from the site's main page.

jpdrag · 09-14-2014, 12:49 AM

Thank you! I will work on the pictures!

JTD · 09-14-2014, 10:27 AM

looks like an alphabet commercial in nice shape.

rhuff · 09-14-2014, 05:13 PM

Looks to be a nice specimen of an alphabet Luger. I look forward to seeing additional photos.

jpdrag · 09-14-2014, 08:26 PM

I have attached what I hope will help provide additional information. I received a second Luger and those pictures are also included. Any info and advice would greatly be appreciated.

jpdrag · 09-14-2014, 08:28 PM

See attached.

jpdrag · 09-14-2014, 08:29 PM

See attached.

jpdrag · 09-14-2014, 08:30 PM

See attached.

jpdrag · 09-14-2014, 08:31 PM

The last and next several is another Luger that I received.

jpdrag · 09-14-2014, 08:32 PM

See attached.

jpdrag · 09-14-2014, 08:33 PM

See below.

jpdrag · 09-14-2014, 08:34 PM

Thank you in advance for any help on these two!

ithacaartist · 09-14-2014, 09:28 PM

Uh-oh John, more homework. Check the stickies in the new collectors' section, there should be one there on pic-taking technique. Nonetheless it goes like this:

Shoot pics in diffuse natural light--in the shade or on an overcast day. Keep the flash turned off!

To ensure a clear shot, steady the camera using a tripod, and use the self timer to touch off the shutter--avoids jiggling the cam by pushing the button.

Use the camera's "macro" setting, (often indicated by a pic of a flower on the camera, not the group of people or the mountain)

Keep the shots simple and descriptive, sort of straight on, or slight angle. Check your shots. If it isn't showing what you wanted, take another!

No harm, no foul. We all had to learn the ropes.

Sergio Natali · 09-15-2014, 05:34 AM

David is right,
I think that perhaps the gold patina of the first pictures (a part the strawed bits) was due to a golden dominant colour all over the pictures.

Anyway nice Lugers.

alanint · 09-15-2014, 05:57 AM

Your second pistol appears to be a 1939 dated Mauser, (S/42) pistol. It appears to be a post war East German VoPo police issue, (based solely, at this point, on the East German take down lever it has installed).

09-13-2014, 09:51 PM	#1
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Old Luger My father gave me his old Luger. See attached pictures. .30 ammo with original magazine, wood end. DWM scroll on top. Serial number 3201. Interested in history and approximate value. Thanks in advance. I am new at all this! Attached Thumbnails

09-13-2014, 09:52 PM	#2
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Old Luger Certain areas have a gold patina....

09-13-2014, 09:56 PM	#3
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Old Luger - new Picture See attached. Another view. Attached Thumbnails

09-13-2014, 11:59 PM	#4
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,339 Thanks: 7,263 Thanked 2,564 Times in 1,362 Posts	Welcome to the forum, John. The community of collectors can help you figure out what this pistol is. We like to see pics showing all the markings, serial numbers, proofs, etc., so you have more work to do in order to get the best guidance. This appears to be what is known as an "alphabet commercial", made in the 20s for non-military sales. There is a cursive letter on the front of the trigger guard, and it is part of the serial number, 3201 (n?). It helps the value if the finish is all original, the gun is in good condition, and all the serial-numbered parts match (should be "01" stamped where appropriate)--we can see best with pics! Check out the FAQ in the new collectors' section, you'll learn how to describe it. Check out other threads to see what kind of pics will help. Depending on what can be discerned, I think this is likely worth about $1k+, seems, so far, in quite good shape. The small parts displaying the "gold patina" are "strawed", i.e. heated to establish the straw color. Yours appear fairly vivid, which is good. Well, that's a start for you. Others will comment with further info and questions, so get those extra pics posted. ASAP! Check out the videos about field stripping and other handy stuff, access from the site's main page. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

09-14-2014, 12:49 AM	#5
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Old Luger Thank you! I will work on the pictures!

09-14-2014, 10:27 AM	#6
JTD User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 425 Thanks: 217 Thanked 408 Times in 149 Posts	looks like an alphabet commercial in nice shape.

09-14-2014, 05:13 PM	#7
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,289 Thanks: 2,707 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	Looks to be a nice specimen of an alphabet Luger. I look forward to seeing additional photos.

09-14-2014, 08:26 PM	#8
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Old Luger Pictures I have attached what I hope will help provide additional information. I received a second Luger and those pictures are also included. Any info and advice would greatly be appreciated. Attached Thumbnails

09-14-2014, 08:28 PM	#9
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Old Luger See attached. Attached Thumbnails

09-14-2014, 08:29 PM	#10
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	More See attached. Attached Thumbnails

09-14-2014, 08:30 PM	#11
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another Picture See attached. Attached Thumbnails

09-14-2014, 08:31 PM	#12
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The last and next several is another Luger that I received.

09-14-2014, 08:32 PM	#13
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Next Luger See attached. Attached Thumbnails

09-14-2014, 08:33 PM	#14
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Next Picture See below. Attached Thumbnails

09-14-2014, 08:34 PM	#15
jpdrag User Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 12 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you in advance for any help on these two!

09-14-2014, 09:28 PM	#16
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,339 Thanks: 7,263 Thanked 2,564 Times in 1,362 Posts	Uh-oh John, more homework. Check the stickies in the new collectors' section, there should be one there on pic-taking technique. Nonetheless it goes like this: Shoot pics in diffuse natural light--in the shade or on an overcast day. Keep the flash turned off! To ensure a clear shot, steady the camera using a tripod, and use the self timer to touch off the shutter--avoids jiggling the cam by pushing the button. Use the camera's "macro" setting, (often indicated by a pic of a flower on the camera, not the group of people or the mountain) Keep the shots simple and descriptive, sort of straight on, or slight angle. Check your shots. If it isn't showing what you wanted, take another! No harm, no foul. We all had to learn the ropes. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

09-15-2014, 05:34 AM	#17
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	David is right, I think that perhaps the gold patina of the first pictures (a part the strawed bits) was due to a golden dominant colour all over the pictures. Anyway nice Lugers. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

09-15-2014, 05:57 AM	#18
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 second pistol appears to be a 1939 dated Mauser, (S/42) pistol. It appears to be a post war East German VoPo police issue, (based solely, at this point, on the East German take down lever it has installed).