s/42 found, background wanted (soviet refurbs??)

[ronin]

This afternoon i found a gunshop that has 5 Lugers for sale! Four of them are 9 mil. military types and the last one is an earlier model, civilian, in far better shape, 7.65.

Price ranges start at U$D 600 for a couple of them beaten up mil. models and peak at U$D 1500 with the 1900 (??, it has the grip safety and the "other" style toggle) civilian model. The one that caught my eye is selling for U$D 800.

Let me tell you about this one, it�´s a Mauser, s/42 G model. Looks like a serious piece of military equipment in good to very good shape. The others look real bad besides the one i like, the shop owner told me that the guns had served with the russians and might sport a few extra soviet proof or inventory marks. I didn�´t handle the guns just looked at the display. Boy, did the 7.65 look elegant by comparison. There was something definitely sexy about that particular one that the others didn�´t have. Maybe it was the slimmer barrel and what remains of the strawing.

I noticed that the guns seemed to have been badly stamped or marked on the flat surface on top of the trigger. That didn�´t look right but i fear all the mil. models might have that. Could not see clearly what it was, maybe someone can tell me what it is.

The guns are sold with one (probably non matching) magazine. Viewed from the top and at an angle, i could see that a couple of numbers matched, that gives me some hope and probably also mean some more value.

I�´d like you to tell me if i should consider these guns or not and beg you share with me any particulars on the story of them. There�´s no literature available on lugers down here and since generally speaking the firearms market is so small there�´s little hope there will ever be.

<img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

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[kidvett]

Look carefully for matched numbers on the guns you like.Also check for original bluing & bore condition....

That G date ( 1935 ) would be my pick as I collect WWII LUGERS. But I just bought myself a nice 1900 AMERICAN EAGLE....that should be like that 7.65mm you are considering: old type dished toggle, slim 4 3/4 inch barrel, etc.

And I have to agree that there is something ELEGANT aabout those early LUGERS...

Shop carefully and get yourself a nice one, or a couple of them...

kidvett [img]cool.gif[/img]

[ronin]

A couple of them??? My wife would have to suffer a terminal accident for that to happen! [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]
It wold be a case of preemptive self defense [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

I�´m pleading my case already <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> but her plans include visiting Chicago at soonest, THEN and ONLY THEN i�´m allowed to consider putting money aside for this sacred quest. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

I do hope the Luger�´s are not as addictive as the HKs (have a small family of 6 of them). If not, i fear the a couple will not be enough <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

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[kidvett]

Hi Ronin,

I'm very sorry but I have to tell you that:

<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" /> YES LUGERS ARE ADDICTIVE <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

I was mostly in WWII LUGERS,... got myself an 1900 AMERICAN EAGLE last week, and I'm now looking to start a WWI category with a 1912 ERFURT...

kidvett <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

[ronin]

I was afraid you might say that! [img]biggrin.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img] [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Ok, what about the original question, hints anyone?

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[Lugerdoc]

Rodin, The PO8s that your dealer mentioned that had been used by the Russians, are probably the same batch of reworks that we are also seeing here in the USA, but with our required importation markings under the barrel. These pistols generally have well worn original barrels, with many parts renumbered to match, particularily the side plates, which you mentioned. They generally also have replacement black plastic grips and renumbered magazines. Most are selling here in the $500 range, but if this G date is all ORIGINAL matching numbers, it is probably worth a bit more.

[ronin]

LugerDoc, thank you very much, this is exactly what i was looking for. I imagined that these guns might be common somewhere and that info on them would be available.

The price tag difference is also matching with price differences between the US prices and Argentinian prices so unfortunately there's no concern on that matter.

Do most of your former soviet imports come reblued also? And, if you say that usually the barrels are worn out what is the next step, find a replacement or keep looking for another one in better shape?

The ones i saw do have very ugly looking grips, look plastic and are plain black or checkered yellowish brown. Sound to me that we're talking about the very same batch of guns. What worries me now is that i'm no expert and would know if the parts are restamped and the guns reblued. That should probably not concern me too much since i'm looking for the best possible shooter but nevertheless now i'm a little worried.

Those soviet gun youre familiar with, are they shootable?

Thanks again,

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[Edward Tinker]

The reworks ae almost always reblued, the Russian ones many people feel have a dip blue that is not very pretty. East German ones seem to have a nicer reblue.

I have a shooter that Tom put a 6 inch on for me. It shoots really nice.

But I think every gun is different and if it has replacement parts could be a problem child. But most Lugers I have shot, a little adjustment and a different magazine and they are okay. One I shot a couple of weeks ago, the original magazine stunk, but a replacement made it feed fine [img]wink.gif[/img]

Also on worn out barrels, several people here on the forum have had barrels that look almost silver worn out and they say it shoots great! So, shoot it first and see if it is no good before you swap out an original barrel.

[ronin]

You just made me realise i know diddly squat about how the barrel should or should not look.

Could you please elaborate?

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[Edward Tinker]

I used a term that doesn't mean anything Ronin, sorry about that.

All I was trying to say was that barrels can look all pitted and worn and yet give you excellent accuracy. And they can be pristine and give you horrible accuracy.

I would bet money that most nice looking bores will out shoot most crappy looking bores, but in the game of guns you just never know.

[ronin]

Hi Edward,

I understand what you meant but what i'm trying to say is that i don't have a clue how should the rifling in the barrel look like. Are the grooves deep, wide, thin, etc.

???

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[Edward Tinker]

Boy that's a tough one. I mean, each type of gun has a certain look to it and I just go by how they look.

Worn, smooth, pitted, dark with age, all are indications that something has been used or abused.

[ronin]

How would you describe the grooves?

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[Doubs]

[quote]Originally posted by ronin:
<strong>How would you describe the grooves?
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Ronin, the best way for you to gauge the condition of a bore is to examine a number of new guns to get an idea of how an unfired bore looks. Then look at as many used guns as you can to see what a worn bore looks like. Possibly the most important part of any bore is the final couple of inches and the muzzle/crown. Damage or excessive wear in this area will almost certainly result in poor accuracy.

Also be aware that it's difficult or impossible to determine true bore condition if it's not clean. Beware a bore that's oiled because it will appear bright and shiney but the oil could be covering defects. If permitted by the seller, push a somewhat tight patch through the bore using a cleaning rod from the chamber end and you should feel the same resistance for the full length of the bore. A tight or loose spot in the bore may indicate damage and a closer examination is called for. Run your finger tips down the length of the barrel on the outside to feel for irregularities. A bulge in the bore will be easily felt in most cases.

These are some of the things you should be aware of when examining the bore of any gun. I'm sure others will have more tips to share.

[ronin]

Hi Doubs,

Thanks for the advise. I think that my most abused gun still has a little under 5.000 rounds through it [img]biggrin.gif[/img] . Ammo doesn�´t come cheap in these parts and my guns are in v.good to LNIB condition, even my last purchase, a HKP9S twenty some years old has been extremely well taken care of by previous owners.

I�´m right behind you on the crown and bulges, i�´m aware of those defects. Must confess that i wasn�´t smart enough to think about the oily barrel and will take note of that important piece of advise. Come think of it, the P9S was dripping wet when i purchased it but the guy had excellent references and the gun has only hoster wear. Lucky me.

In the early days i used to store my handguns dry, nowadays i�´m of the extremely oily persuation.

Thanks again

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How many grooves to a barrel?

[Jerry Harris]

Six grooves and six lands on 9mm P08s. Sorry I can't give you an exhaustive answer.

[ronin]

Thanks Jerry, that's what i needed.

I'm learning, i'm learning! Matter of fact, that's my real hobby, learning.

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