Finnish Luger conditions and values...

thegundude · 09-25-2005, 03:00 PM

Hey all.

I've been looking at some Finnish Lugers and I have some questions.

I can't seem to locate any that have matching numbers. Is this because they've all (or most) been rearsenalled?

Is there any such a thing as a matching Finn?

If not (or if they are EXTREMELY rare), what is the value of mismatched Finns? I know, it all depends on condition, but what kind of range could one expect to find in price?

And are they as rare as they seem to be?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Luke · 09-25-2005, 08:22 PM

Hello Steve,

I can't give you a price, but I can give you two datapoints. I have recently bought two Finnish Parabellums; the first @ $775 and the second @ $560. Both are in good, not mint, condition; and they both have mismatched parts. It is my understanding that the Finnish Army did not attempt to match component serial numbers, but took a more pragmatic approach to repair and replacement. I have seen a couple on the Internet in the $1050 to $1250 range.

thegundude · 09-25-2005, 08:29 PM

Thanks Luke,

I think I can pick one up for about $975. I'll try to talk him down a bit but that's already down fifty bucks from the asking price. Seems just a little steep though, for a mismatched gun.

I know, I know. This time next year I'll be kicking myself for not picking it up....

lew1 · 09-25-2005, 11:19 PM

Aim had 10 for sale, all over $1,100 each. I think that they sold 8 of them the first day (which was Friday).

thegundude · 09-26-2005, 12:22 AM

Yeah, not to me they didn't. Not at those prices...

Most were $1,250.

Would you consider one at that price? Or at $975 even?

lew1 · 09-26-2005, 08:53 AM

Yes

thegundude · 09-26-2005, 10:41 AM

Right. Done then. I'll give him a call and see what we can work out.

Thanks Lew....

Lugerdoc · 09-27-2005, 10:08 AM

Steve, 20+ years ago when Century Arms imported a lot of the 7.65mm M23s, I purchase a few @$350 each and they all had some mismatched parts. The only matching one of these that I've seen, is one of the above that only had a mismatched toggle, which I swapped out for the matching M23 (crown N proofed on the left side of mid link) toggle assy. that I had in stock. TH

thegundude · 09-27-2005, 11:13 AM

Oh man Tom, if only I had a time machine.... I keep hearing about what they cost 10 and 20 years ago and I'm eating my heart out.

But, it just goes to show how they can go up in price. If it's a thousand dollars today, what's it goingot be tomorrow? But I guess that goes for all guns, Lugers in particular.

Thanks for the input, Tom.

09-25-2005, 03:00 PM	#1
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Finnish Luger conditions and values... Hey all. I've been looking at some Finnish Lugers and I have some questions. I can't seem to locate any that have matching numbers. Is this because they've all (or most) been rearsenalled? Is there any such a thing as a matching Finn? If not (or if they are EXTREMELY rare), what is the value of mismatched Finns? I know, it all depends on condition, but what kind of range could one expect to find in price? And are they as rare as they seem to be? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

09-25-2005, 08:22 PM	#2
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	Hello Steve, I can't give you a price, but I can give you two datapoints. I have recently bought two Finnish Parabellums; the first @ $775 and the second @ $560. Both are in good, not mint, condition; and they both have mismatched parts. It is my understanding that the Finnish Army did not attempt to match component serial numbers, but took a more pragmatic approach to repair and replacement. I have seen a couple on the Internet in the $1050 to $1250 range. __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

09-25-2005, 08:29 PM	#3
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks Luke, I think I can pick one up for about $975. I'll try to talk him down a bit but that's already down fifty bucks from the asking price. Seems just a little steep though, for a mismatched gun. I know, I know. This time next year I'll be kicking myself for not picking it up.... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

09-25-2005, 11:19 PM	#4
lew1 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 82 Thanked 204 Times in 112 Posts	Aim had 10 for sale, all over $1,100 each. I think that they sold 8 of them the first day (which was Friday). __________________ charlie

09-26-2005, 12:22 AM	#5
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Yeah, not to me they didn't. Not at those prices... Most were $1,250. Would you consider one at that price? Or at $975 even? __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

09-26-2005, 08:53 AM	#6
lew1 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 82 Thanked 204 Times in 112 Posts	Yes __________________ charlie

09-26-2005, 10:41 AM	#7
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Right. Done then. I'll give him a call and see what we can work out. Thanks Lew.... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

09-27-2005, 10:08 AM	#8
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Steve, 20+ years ago when Century Arms imported a lot of the 7.65mm M23s, I purchase a few @$350 each and they all had some mismatched parts. The only matching one of these that I've seen, is one of the above that only had a mismatched toggle, which I swapped out for the matching M23 (crown N proofed on the left side of mid link) toggle assy. that I had in stock. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

09-27-2005, 11:13 AM	#9
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Oh man Tom, if only I had a time machine.... I keep hearing about what they cost 10 and 20 years ago and I'm eating my heart out. But, it just goes to show how they can go up in price. If it's a thousand dollars today, what's it goingot be tomorrow? But I guess that goes for all guns, Lugers in particular. Thanks for the input, Tom. __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve