help with luger

[peyton]

This is very good information for all of us newbies. He posted this request for information on another forum and was instantly referred to here. I would love to know the story on how this luger made to the US.

[sheepherder]

No one wants to make a [public] estimate???

OK...Here goes...

The Luger itself is a DWM 'Police" Luger, not the most desirable of Lugers...Maybe would go for $700 to $900 on GunBroker.com by itself...

A run-of-the-mill buyer isn't all that concerned about matching numbers...

The markings on the gripstrap are of interest only to a niche collector...

The holster and two mags are a nice accessory, maybe add another $300/$400...to a collector...

Now...A collector of these might well pay more than my off-the-wall estimate...Maybe $1500 & up...

But that is a serious collector...There are some on this Forum (they may well have contacted you already)...but otherwise, you might have to advertise and wait for a buyer...

You are on the right Forum; maybe post on Jan Still's Forum as well...

So...To sum up, I'll say $1200 - $1500 for the lot...There will be some who will [indignantly] say that is too low...

But as a casual buyer, and not a collector, that would be my estimate...if I was to see it on GB or at a gunshow...that would be a reasonable price to me...

...My $.02...

[Ron Smith]

"So...To sum up, I'll say $1200 - $1500 for the lot...There will be some who will [indignantly] say that is too low..."

So, now that it's been predisposed that any counter estimate will be "indignant". I would have to "indignantly" say...That's way too low.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

"So...To sum up, I'll say $1200 - $1500 for the lot...There will be some who will [indignantly] say that is too low..."

So, now that it's been predisposed that any counter estimate will be "indignant". I would have to "indignantly" say...That's way too low.

But are you a 'collector' or a casual buyer??? Are you actively seeking one of these??? Or just looking for a Luger because they look 'neat'???

I'd say it is a 'niche' collectible...Worth more to someone who is actively looking for a unit-marked Police Luger...Than to a casual GB/gun show buyer...

Ron, what would your estimate, to a serious collector, be??? That should give the OP a high & low...

[Ron Smith]

Rich,

My thought is that this is not only a highly desirable Rig for Police Luger collectors. Which could be classified as a "niche".

However, it is also a matched Rig, which would in my opinion fall into a "cross collectable" catagory.

There are collectors who collect matched Rigs, no matter whether they are Police, Military or Commercial.

There are collectors who focus on the unique and unusual. This Rig would qualify.

I've already given Richie my estimate via email. I told him that I believe that it would fall into the $2000+ range. Possibly on the high end, but gives some bargaining room. And, if he can get enough information from the man who donated this Rig to their church to identfy the marking, which is currently unknown. It could add additional value to it. As there are collectors who focus purely on the historical aspects.

The overall condition and completeness of this Rig is another plus. The only issue being the missing tool and pouch.

As an example. I think we can all agree that Simpson Ltd. prices are honest, but high. They have more common matched Police Rigs that are listed much higher by far, and they do sell.

I'm not looking for "Pie in the Sky" on his behalf, just a fair and reasonable assessment.

Ron

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

However, it is also a matched Rig, which would in my opinion fall into a "cross collectable" catagory.

There are collectors who collect matched Rigs, no matter whether they are Police, Military or Commercial.

I've already given Richie my estimate via email.

I think the key word here is 'collector'. I consider myself one of The Great Unwashed, i.e. --> not a collector. I don't consider a rig to be anything special. Yes, I know there are some who do. But if this church is looking for a quick sale, then they may have to accept a bottom-feeder offer.

Hopefully, one of you has already submitted an offer that is in line with your collector assessment.

It would make an interesting addition and conversation piece for any show of worth.

I'm not looking to buy, and I have nothing but a casual interest in this Luger. My point was that outside of the small Luger collecting community, this would not be considered anything special.

I would be interested in knowing the unit that is indicated. But that's just my idle curiosity...

[mecano44]

Very nice example of a long " use in duty " pistol !!!

One question to Don : Is any Luger having the Schiwy Safety ( or having two holes on the ledge of the the reveiver, above the trigger-bar ) a "Police Luger " ? even without the 1920 aditionnal marking ?

[Don M]

Originally Posted by mecano44

Very nice example of a long " use in duty " pistol !!!

One question to Don : Is any Luger having the Schiwy Safety ( or having two holes on the ledge of the the reveiver, above the trigger-bar ) a "Police Luger " ? even without the 1920 aditionnal marking ?

Any Luger as described (except there would be one hole in the ledge and one in the sear bar) would have been in police service at some point after 1933. However, the Schiwy safety was not installed on all Police Lugers. About 1/3 of those in police service in 1934 were exempted from this modification (HWIS p. 36). These Lugers and their owners were eventually transferred to the military.

[DavidJayUden]

Regarding value, I say put it up on auction and let the market sort it out. It is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it.
dju