New, soon to be Luger Owner!

bchboy1206 · 10-15-2015, 11:45 PM

Hello from N. Ga. I am new to the Luger world and I just bought a 1937 S/42 Luger! From what I gather it is a Russian capture since there is a X over the serial number and it has been reblued. It has matching numbers other than grips and mag. Looks like a decent shooter/collector. I can't wait, it should be here Saturday so now it is time to start researching!!! Oh, need a holster and tool also! Any comments and advice is greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance all

Jim

Edward Tinker · 10-16-2015, 12:02 AM

Jim, welcome to the forum

For general information, take a look through the forums, do a search for 1937 and look at the top 'stickies'.

Ed

wlyon · 10-16-2015, 12:11 AM

Jim
Welcome to the Forum and the addictive world of luger collecting. Bill

ithacaartist · 10-16-2015, 02:35 AM

Welcome Jim,

Your gun is nice in that it doesn't seem to have been force-matched, with over-stamped numbers, and the "X" all huge and nasty; yours is discreet. I also like "collectible" shooters. This one looks like it might be one you'd shoot not that often, if it matches.

The Russian captures are becoming more desirable, particularly the ones that were not diddled with that much. Some even retain an original finish. More good pics would help in your getting the best advice!

Sergio Natali · 10-16-2015, 06:01 AM

Jim

Welcome to this LUGER Forum made by LUGER enthusiasts.
I bought my first Luger about 20 years ago and it was a rusty "Russian capture", I sold it long ago, but it managed to learn a lot through disassembling and reassembling it.
I warn you this hobby is quite addictive.

Best

Sergio

bchboy1206 · 10-16-2015, 07:13 AM

These are the last pics I have for now and thanks for the advice. Glad to hear that this is semi collectable. I paid $999 for it which I hope was a fair price for it.

Should I shoot regular target bullets like Winchester White Box or should I make some lighter loads on my press?

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...Luger4%202.jpg

DavidJayUden · 10-16-2015, 08:52 AM

Winchester white box ammo is a good choice, maybe a MecGar magazine, and you are ready for the shooting range.
I'd suggest not spending a lot on a holster/tool, but instead save up for your next Luger...
Congratulations, and welcome!
dju

sheepherder · 10-16-2015, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

Your gun is nice in that it doesn't seem to have been force-matched, with over-stamped numbers...

Yes, this is the first pic I've seen with the "X" not overstamping the serial...

The price is not outrageous, maybe a bit high, but since you didn't indicate if F2F, or FFL/S&H fees/tax, we'll assume that's the base price...Still not bad...Luger values tend to be geographical; in Western New York State, $1K is about average for a decent looking Luger, whether mismatched or RC/VoPo...

mrerick · 10-16-2015, 10:57 AM

Hello Jim, and welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on your very nice RC Luger. This one shows none of the defects refinished guns often bear (it still has very sharp edges). I can't really tell from the photos. Are you sure it's been refinished. Later 1937 Mauser Lugers were salt blued (without strawed parts)... If it was redone, it looks like a quick dip and right out of the tank.

No need to replace the magazine. The one you have looks like a FXO or East German milled magazine Haenel Schmeisser. They are very well made.

Use standard velocity 9mm Luger ammo, and let us know how it shoots!

alanint · 10-16-2015, 12:40 PM

As I see no suffix on the front of the frame, this would have been a first run 1937.

rhuff · 10-16-2015, 02:52 PM

Welcome to the forum, and Congrats on your first Luger. Before taking it to the range, I would break it down for a good cleaning and lube. Lugers like things to be lubed, especially the toggle train to receiver interface and the toggle knuckles. Let us know how things worked out for you and your "new" Luger.

ithacaartist · 10-16-2015, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

As I see no suffix on the front of the frame, this would have been a first run 1937.

Interesting. The small parts are not strawed, and the "hump" appears on the frame. One would expect an example from the 1937 first block to have strawed parts...made just before the transition to all salt blue? But now the pic showing the finish leads me to believe that it was refinished, as I notice a dullness overall.

hayhugh · 10-16-2015, 04:28 PM

The grips would have been removed before the bluing dip, Would the grips have been numbered?
Was the whole gun dipped or piece-meal and then reassembled?

bchboy1206 · 10-16-2015, 07:05 PM

Man this is a lot of great information, thanks so much! I should have it in my grubby little hands in the morning so I will be studying up tonight!!!
The total paid after shipping and FFL is $1037 so I am really happy with that.

Thanks again everyone!
Jim

mrerick · 10-16-2015, 09:55 PM

The no-suffix block in 1937 occurred during the last couple of months of the year, long after the transition from rust blued pistols to salt blued with the humped frame. According to Hallock and Van de Kant about 100 of the older frames appeared mixed in the block. Probably November and early December. Most had Stick Eagle proofs, but about 18 percent had Droop Eagle marks.

10-15-2015, 11:45 PM	#1
bchboy1206 New User Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 3 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	New, soon to be Luger Owner! Hello from N. Ga. I am new to the Luger world and I just bought a 1937 S/42 Luger! From what I gather it is a Russian capture since there is a X over the serial number and it has been reblued. It has matching numbers other than grips and mag. Looks like a decent shooter/collector. I can't wait, it should be here Saturday so now it is time to start researching!!! Oh, need a holster and tool also! Any comments and advice is greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance all Jim

10-16-2015, 12:02 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Jim, welcome to the forum For general information, take a look through the forums, do a search for 1937 and look at the top 'stickies'. Ed __________________ 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

10-16-2015, 12:11 AM	#3
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,619 Thanks: 3,144 Thanked 2,531 Times in 943 Posts	Jim Welcome to the Forum and the addictive world of luger collecting. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

10-16-2015, 02:35 AM	#4
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,289 Thanks: 7,043 Thanked 2,482 Times in 1,323 Posts	Welcome Jim, Your gun is nice in that it doesn't seem to have been force-matched, with over-stamped numbers, and the "X" all huge and nasty; yours is discreet. I also like "collectible" shooters. This one looks like it might be one you'd shoot not that often, if it matches. The Russian captures are becoming more desirable, particularly the ones that were not diddled with that much. Some even retain an original finish. More good pics would help in your getting the best advice! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

10-16-2015, 06:01 AM	#5
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	Jim Welcome to this LUGER Forum made by LUGER enthusiasts. I bought my first Luger about 20 years ago and it was a rusty "Russian capture", I sold it long ago, but it managed to learn a lot through disassembling and reassembling it. I warn you this hobby is quite addictive. Best Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

10-16-2015, 07:13 AM	#6
bchboy1206 New User Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 3 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	These are the last pics I have for now and thanks for the advice. Glad to hear that this is semi collectable. I paid $999 for it which I hope was a fair price for it. Should I shoot regular target bullets like Winchester White Box or should I make some lighter loads on my press? http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...Luger4%202.jpg

10-16-2015, 08:52 AM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Winchester white box ammo is a good choice, maybe a MecGar magazine, and you are ready for the shooting range. I'd suggest not spending a lot on a holster/tool, but instead save up for your next Luger... Congratulations, and welcome! dju

10-16-2015, 10:57 AM	#9
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Hello Jim, and welcome to the forum. Congratulations on your very nice RC Luger. This one shows none of the defects refinished guns often bear (it still has very sharp edges). I can't really tell from the photos. Are you sure it's been refinished. Later 1937 Mauser Lugers were salt blued (without strawed parts)... If it was redone, it looks like a quick dip and right out of the tank. No need to replace the magazine. The one you have looks like a FXO or East German milled magazine Haenel Schmeisser. They are very well made. Use standard velocity 9mm Luger ammo, and let us know how it shoots! __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-16-2015, 12:40 PM	#10
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	As I see no suffix on the front of the frame, this would have been a first run 1937.

10-16-2015, 02:52 PM	#11
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 2,692 Thanked 959 Times in 705 Posts	Welcome to the forum, and Congrats on your first Luger. Before taking it to the range, I would break it down for a good cleaning and lube. Lugers like things to be lubed, especially the toggle train to receiver interface and the toggle knuckles. Let us know how things worked out for you and your "new" Luger.

10-16-2015, 04:28 PM	#13
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 885 Thanks: 851 Thanked 508 Times in 271 Posts	The grips would have been removed before the bluing dip, Would the grips have been numbered? Was the whole gun dipped or piece-meal and then reassembled?

10-16-2015, 07:05 PM	#14
bchboy1206 New User Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 3 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Man this is a lot of great information, thanks so much! I should have it in my grubby little hands in the morning so I will be studying up tonight!!! The total paid after shipping and FFL is $1037 so I am really happy with that. Thanks again everyone! Jim

10-16-2015, 09:55 PM	#15
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	The no-suffix block in 1937 occurred during the last couple of months of the year, long after the transition from rust blued pistols to salt blued with the humped frame. According to Hallock and Van de Kant about 100 of the older frames appeared mixed in the block. Probably November and early December. Most had Stick Eagle proofs, but about 18 percent had Droop Eagle marks. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.