A Most Interesting RC Luger

[mrerick]

I've appended photos of a friend's 41 date Russian Capture Mauser made Luger.

It's all matching, has the typical "million dollar" grip chip, and has been dip refinished. So far, it's the typical RC luger...

Here are pictures:

[mrerick]

This seems like the run of the mill RC Luger, except for this...

There are no import marks, and it was acquired directly from the veteran with this 1963 dated paperwork. The Berlin wall was erected in 1961, with East German separation fencing going up at about the same time. At that point, neither the Russians nor the East Germans were making Lugers from WW-II surplus.

This would, therefore, appear to be a Russian Capture Luger that was re-captured by an American soldier sometime prior to June, 21, 1963. I believe that this is unique with this accompanying paperwork. Discussion?

[Edward Tinker]

I know we traded emails, but I have never seen a east german luger with cold war bring back papers.

Very cool

[Vlim]

I see no indications that this pistol was either a Russian Capture or a DDR issue pistol.

[mrerick]

I based my conclusion on the dip refinish of the pistol, which has the appearance typical of a pistol that went through RC or EG rework.

This one was all matching, and did not receive replacement grips. The chip on the grip is fresher.

I've asked the owner to approach the family that sold him the pistol to get details of it's acquisition.

[gunbugs]

I've got a non-import marked RC BYF '42. Matching, dipped, with sad resin grips. Has the Russian "X" by the serial number. I only found out it wasn't import marked after I got it.

[Vlim]

I agree the reblue looks like a DDR dip, but the absence of DDR or Russian Capture markings makes it difficult to attribute it to the Eastern Bloc.

Intriguing capture papers, though.

[Doubs]

A few days ago I posted this composite of a Luger I purchased in 2003 and have since given to my son. It's a second variation 1937 Mauser S/42, all matching except the unnumbered grips and unnumbered magazine. There are no markings to indicate Russian Capture or East German use but it appears to have been dip blued. I concluded that it was an RC and EG issue Luger. My conclusion, of course, could be wrong but who else other than the Russians or East Germans would have dip blued it?

[Vlim]

Basically any gun smith with a bluing bucket.
Refinishing is relatively common as people preferred nice looking guns over original finish.

Bluing with salt blue solutions is relatively straightforward and within reach of most gun shops and smiths in Europe.

So unless there are clear indications that the DDR or Russia were involved it is difficult to say a reblue is done by a certain government.

But it is known that East-Germany was looking for foreign cash in the late 70s and throughout the 1980s. They may have sold stashes of 'non issued' guns in those days.

I would love to examine the P08s that are still in Russian storage today.

[rolandtg]

I wouldn't consider that a "capture" paper.
It looks like it's just a permit to allow him to have the pistol and send it home.
The pistol could have been purchased or given to to him.

Still it's a nice piece of history that shows it came from Germany.

I had a friend who was stationed in Germany around the same time who purchased a nice matching rig while there and brought it home. He said there were still a lot of guns floating around W. Germany at that time in spite of restrictions.

[Doubs]

Originally Posted by Vlim

Basically any gun smith with a bluing bucket. Bluing with salt blue solutions is relatively straightforward and within reach of most gun shops and smiths in Europe.

So unless there are clear indications that the DDR or Russia were involved it is difficult to say a reblue is done by a certain government.

The only thing I can be certain of is that the dip blue was done before it was imported. The importer's markings are over the bluing.

[mrerick]

And this pistol, thoroughly checked, has no import markings (which you would expect for a gun brought into the US before 1968).

So, any other stories of Lugers like this being acquired in the period just after Germany separated into East/West with the walls on the border and Berlin?

[Edward Tinker]

I was over in Europe from 1993-2000 - We did not have a Rod and Reel club on base, we were to small. In germany, years after I left europe (I was in the Netherlands), folks would / could buy a luger that came up for sale or from ones picked up by the club.
It is likely that - however, the papers with it help a lot.
I would not call it capture papers as I first said, but it was required to be registered and kept in the arms room, especially since he was a PFC (private first class) and overseas.
That said, read the print in the middle, it also authorizes him to take it back to the USA.

[spangy]

Thanks guys ... fascinating thread. ... If only they could talk, although in a way they do ya ??