WWII German Luger

[Graphicwit]

I am registering with the local police a Luger left me by my father. He was among troops who liberated Dachau. Registration form asks for Manufacturer, Model, Serial Number, Calibre or Gauge, Pistol or Revolver, Other Marks of ID. I have the original clip, holster and bullets.

I have no idea how to read the markings on this gun. Please tell me where to start. I'd like to eventually get an insurance cost valuation on it too. I don't intend to sell it.

Thanks.
David

[drbuster]

David, there were five manufacturers (original) of luger pistols through it's history, beginning in 1900 and ending in 1942. You have not given us any details. The complete serial number almost always can be found on the frame front above the trigger guard. It usually, but not always has a letter suffix. Pictures, or a more complete discription, would be essential to answer your questions.

[Graphicwit]

This is my first time posting so I am still getting up to speed. I've posted photos. It looks like the stamp above the trigger guard says "G108". Above the safety, I see Gesichert. Thanks for your help.

[Edward Tinker]

Sorry, David, pictures are so small, I can tell anything.

Although it looks like it has imperial proofs on the right.

This is what we need (either much larger pictures and from all angles); or


Toggle marking, most likely DWM or Erfurt

full serial number to inclue suffix

date on top of receiver (year made);

so to register it you would say (as an example)

1917 DWM 9mm Luger sn 3245f

date, manufacuturer, caliber, sn

model would be 1908 model (pistol)


Ed

[drbuster]

David, I cannot see any photographs. Are you sure you posted them correctly? We can start by telling us what is stamped on the toggle top, the area just in front of the knurled knobs. That at least would tell us who made this luger. The number "G108" is probably "6108" as the former couldn't exist as such.

[Edward Tinker]

In this new format Herb, folks have the option of posting pictures in a private or public album. If you click on their profile, then album you will find it. I find it irritating to get used to, but that is because we are used to the previous versions.


ed

[Graphicwit]

I removed the other photos and posted 2 sets of larger photos. 1 set marked Lg is at 24" @ 72dpi, and the other fits within web site standards at 800px wide @ 72dpi.

The date on the top of the gun says 1939

[Ron Smith]

The proofs are E/63 , so it's of Mauser manufacture.

It would be considered a Pistol Model P.08. And the caliber should be 9MM Luger/Parabellum.

Manufactured in 1939. S/42 or 42(Mauser codes)

Info you require would be: 1939 Mauser Luger Pistol, Model P.08, 9MM Parabellum

[Graphicwit]

In numerous locations on the pistol I see "08". The top says 1939. You say the number above the guard is "6108". On the top of the pistol I see "42" in large characters.

[Graphicwit]

On the bottom of the barrel, I see 6108 and below it, though hard to make out with absolute accuracy without a magnifying glass, is 8x84. On the right side, I see 3 small eagles with numbers below them, 63, 63 and the last is very hard to read, but may be a 4. Additionally, there is an eagle on the right side of the barrel, small.

[Graphicwit]

I sincerely appreciate the help everyone is giving me. My father died in 1968 when I was 11 years old, and we have never really verified this information. Many thanks to those who have posted and may post hereafter.

[Ron Smith]

BTW, 6108 is the Serial number. The 8,84 on the bottom of the barrel is the metric measurement of the bore diameter.

[Graphicwit]

Can you tell me if this was a standard issue Luger? What does all this information tell us about this gun? What are the eagles? Thanks.

[Ron Smith]

There were an estimated 85,500 1939-42 Lugers produced. So, your father's wouldn't fall into the rare catagory. However, it is not known how many have survived intact.

The Eagle over 63, are proof/acceptance marks. Variations of Eagles over numbers, or Crowns over letters(WWI) will be found on all military Lugers. The last one is an Eagle over a Swaztika called a test proof. The same mark is stamped on the barrel.

Ron

[Quentin]

As far as setting a value for your Luger, it looks like a nice one and if like you say all the smaller parts are marked "08" it would be considered a matching parts pistol (since those last two digits of the SN 6108 prove the pistol still has the parts it originally had when it left the Mauser factory. This of course increases its value. As a WAG it's probably worth $1500, maybe even $2000 for insurance purposes but to you as a family heirloom it's worth even more, so definitely keep it in a safe place always. If you ever plan to fire it it would be wise to have it checked out by a gunsmith first unless you can inspect it yourself.

Does NY City make you jump through all the hoops for a permit for a war relic/heirloom as they do for any pistol? Just wondering if they make provisions for collector pieces. Of course the Luger is just as deadly as a more modern 9mm pistol so there may be no fast track for registration. You'd think they'd make allowances for a Luger, after all how many crimes are committed each year with a Luger!

[Edward Tinker]

The 08's over the gun are the last two of the serial number and is in about 14 places on the luger.


Ed

[Graphicwit]

Thanks again for the info.

Well, I suppose the good news is that this Luger seems to have all original parts. I see only "08" on the various parts. Even the clip I have says "6108". Again, I do have the holster, and the clip contains eight bullets.

Oh yes, when is the safety engaged? When it's in the up or down position?

[alanint]

when the safety lever is down and you see a silver colored "trapezoid" come up and block the sear portion of the receiver . You should then see the word "gesichert", which means "safe' in German

[John Sabato]

Please check under the serial number on the front of the gun above the trigger guard and make certain that there is or is not a small alphabetic character which would be the suffix letter for the serial number. This is a critical part of the complete serial number, and if left off of the registration, could cause you much grief in the future.

IF it is NOT present, then your Luger was in the first series in 1939... the second series of production would have a "a" script letter, the third series would have a "b" suffix... etc.

The matching number magazine raises the value of your heirloom to closer to the $2000 mark...

Welcome to the Lugerforum, and congrats on being the recipient of your Dad's war trophy... it is a piece of history... make sure it stays in your family for ever!

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by Graphicwit

I sincerely appreciate the help everyone is giving me. My father died in 1968 when I was 11 years old, and we have never really verified this information. Many thanks to those who have posted and may post hereafter.

Hi:

From a NYC resident, I'd never register a Luger here. I'd find a safe deposit box outside of New York (in a firearms friendly state like Florida) and safely store it there until retirement.

Sieger