Tale of Numbers

Thor · 03-26-2004, 09:20 AM

Always wondered these questions.
1. How many Lugers were made?
2. How many are still in operable condition?
3. How many are in the USA?
Any ball park ideas?

John Sabato · 03-26-2004, 10:23 AM

1 - Lots!
2 - Not as many as were made...
3 - Same as #2

that's the best I can do with limited time for research THOR...

Maybe someone else has a more accurate answer for you and will post

Vlim · 03-26-2004, 11:19 AM

Hi,

Remember the figures of 680,000 and 700 a day during WW1?

These figures are mentioned in several early luger publications and then referenced to by others. Well, since I've got one of the earliest reliable sources here in front of me, I can say this amount originates from DWM itself (in may 1939).

Deliveries by DWM between august 14th, 1914 and december 20th, 1918 to the German armed forces:
680.000 pistols (08/04/LP08)

My estimates for total Parabellum production during it's entire life (up to 1947) is much higher, btw: As much as 3.8 - 4.0 millon!.

If this appears to be much: Think about 95,000 guns per year during a span of 42 years. Not excessively high.

Some rough figures compiled from several sources:
(the year refers to the start of production)

Early 1900 : 26,500
1902 : 2,600
1904 : 81,000
1906 : 81,000
1908 :1,597,000
1908LP : 200,000
1920 : 49,000
1929 : 29,900
1930 :1,050,000
1934 : 943,000

Of course I can't provide figures for the number of lugers in the US. I can however calculate that about 1 percent of licensed guns in the Netherlands is a Luger. Some 400 - 700 are believed to be in private hands here.

Johnny C. Kitchens · 03-27-2004, 03:59 AM

Didn't someone say that there were an estimated 100,000 collectors in the U.S.? We can only guess as to the average number of Lugers each has. Then there are the people who have Lugers, who are not collectors. One can only guess the number of Lugers sitting around in someones personal belongings, not thought about much, or almost forgotten...

03-26-2004, 09:20 AM	#1
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Tale of Numbers Always wondered these questions. 1. How many Lugers were made? 2. How many are still in operable condition? 3. How many are in the USA? Any ball park ideas? __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

03-27-2004, 03:59 AM	#4
Johnny C. Kitchens User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 518 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	Didn't someone say that there were an estimated 100,000 collectors in the U.S.? We can only guess as to the average number of Lugers each has. Then there are the people who have Lugers, who are not collectors. One can only guess the number of Lugers sitting around in someones personal belongings, not thought about much, or almost forgotten... __________________ Johnny C. Kitchens

03-26-2004, 10:23 AM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	1 - Lots! 2 - Not as many as were made... 3 - Same as #2 that's the best I can do with limited time for research THOR... Maybe someone else has a more accurate answer for you and will post __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

03-26-2004, 11:19 AM	#3
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi, Remember the figures of 680,000 and 700 a day during WW1? These figures are mentioned in several early luger publications and then referenced to by others. Well, since I've got one of the earliest reliable sources here in front of me, I can say this amount originates from DWM itself (in may 1939). Deliveries by DWM between august 14th, 1914 and december 20th, 1918 to the German armed forces: 680.000 pistols (08/04/LP08) My estimates for total Parabellum production during it's entire life (up to 1947) is much higher, btw: As much as 3.8 - 4.0 millon!. If this appears to be much: Think about 95,000 guns per year during a span of 42 years. Not excessively high. Some rough figures compiled from several sources: (the year refers to the start of production) Early 1900 : 26,500 1902 : 2,600 1904 : 81,000 1906 : 81,000 1908 :1,597,000 1908LP : 200,000 1920 : 49,000 1929 : 29,900 1930 :1,050,000 1934 : 943,000 Of course I can't provide figures for the number of lugers in the US. I can however calculate that about 1 percent of licensed guns in the Netherlands is a Luger. Some 400 - 700 are believed to be in private hands here.