What do I have & Value?

t.hinckley · 10-02-2023, 08:35 PM

Technically this is my father-in-law’s. Brought back from WWII by his uncle. Magazine does not match, but everything else seems to.

t.hinckley · 10-02-2023, 08:39 PM

Sorry, WWI bring back, not WWII

Mac Cat · 10-02-2023, 11:26 PM

Welcome to the Forum.
Thanks for sharing your luger.

It looks like a fairly nice 1915 DWM in good condition with all matching parts.
Matching parts are more important than the finish.
It was made during WW-I when the factories had rapped up production (105,000 that year).

There is a green stain that looks like copper on the right grip - hope it comes off.

Overall, the finish is about what I would expect for a 118 year old pistol.
I'd guess it's around 70% remaining
The smaller parts (trigger, safety lever, take down) have lost most of their original straw color.

Non-matching magazines are pretty common.
It should be a wood bottom with a folded metal body.
It looks like something else was stamped on the base at one time.

It's probably worth $1,200.

t.hinckley · 10-03-2023, 08:26 AM

That is copper on the grip. He had it stored in a leather holster with brass or copper post. I’m hoping that a soft bristle brush will remove it, but I also didn’t want to mess with it too much.

The bottom of the magazine is wood and I can’t tell what the other stamp is either.

Next time I head over I’ll take my bore light to get a better look at the barrel, but yeah, it does appear to be in great shape for its age.

Thank you for the info and help!

gunnertwo · 10-03-2023, 09:50 PM

The green stuff is verdigris, from being stored in the holster. A toothbrush and gun solvent will remove it. Don't store the pistol in the holster, get a gun rug and coat the gun with firearms oil for storage. Leave it unzipped a little for air flow.

You have a nice gun with family history.

G2

mrerick · 10-04-2023, 11:35 AM

If it's all matching and in original finish, it's value is probably closer to $1500 in today's market.

As Gerald says, It could use a good cleaning and oiling. If you're not familiar with proper preservation of an older rust blued pistol, ask for help. Don't do damage to it.

Don't store it in a holster. That may be contributing to some of the finish deterioration.

10-02-2023, 08:35 PM	#1
t.hinckley New User Join Date: Oct 2023 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	What do I have & Value? Technically this is my father-in-law’s. Brought back from WWII by his uncle. Magazine does not match, but everything else seems to. Attached Thumbnails

10-04-2023, 11:35 AM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	If it's all matching and in original finish, it's value is probably closer to $1500 in today's market. As Gerald says, It could use a good cleaning and oiling. If you're not familiar with proper preservation of an older rust blued pistol, ask for help. Don't do damage to it. Don't store it in a holster. That may be contributing to some of the finish deterioration. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-02-2023, 08:39 PM	#2
t.hinckley New User Join Date: Oct 2023 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	Sorry, WWI bring back, not WWII

10-02-2023, 11:26 PM	#3
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 727 Thanks: 2,090 Thanked 606 Times in 327 Posts	Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for sharing your luger. It looks like a fairly nice 1915 DWM in good condition with all matching parts. Matching parts are more important than the finish. It was made during WW-I when the factories had rapped up production (105,000 that year). There is a green stain that looks like copper on the right grip - hope it comes off. Overall, the finish is about what I would expect for a 118 year old pistol. I'd guess it's around 70% remaining The smaller parts (trigger, safety lever, take down) have lost most of their original straw color. Non-matching magazines are pretty common. It should be a wood bottom with a folded metal body. It looks like something else was stamped on the base at one time. It's probably worth $1,200.

10-03-2023, 08:26 AM	#4
t.hinckley New User Join Date: Oct 2023 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	That is copper on the grip. He had it stored in a leather holster with brass or copper post. I’m hoping that a soft bristle brush will remove it, but I also didn’t want to mess with it too much. The bottom of the magazine is wood and I can’t tell what the other stamp is either. Next time I head over I’ll take my bore light to get a better look at the barrel, but yeah, it does appear to be in great shape for its age. Thank you for the info and help!

10-03-2023, 09:50 PM	#5
gunnertwo User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 623 Thanks: 826 Thanked 930 Times in 363 Posts	The green stuff is verdigris, from being stored in the holster. A toothbrush and gun solvent will remove it. Don't store the pistol in the holster, get a gun rug and coat the gun with firearms oil for storage. Leave it unzipped a little for air flow. You have a nice gun with family history. G2