New Member with 42 1940 All Matching

John St · 07-02-2003, 11:34 AM

Hello everyone!
About a week ago I got #9622 with matching magazine and 22 stamped on all parts for $600.00 with a 1934 Eric Sindel stamped Holster from Berlin. Finish is original and about 75% and even the handgrips have #9622 on the insides.
The number 655 with a 3 wing figure is stamped on one side of the barrel twice in succession and the cursive letter "e" appears in front of the trigger guard underneath.
There aren't too many more markings that I can describe. The bore is pitted but the pistol shoots Winchester Silvertips and Gecco Hardball (the only two brands of 9mm I had on hand) extremely accurately into a small hole of four shots at 30' (one shot is always an inch higher but in line with the lower four into the hole).
There are no malfunctions and since it shoots as well as it does the pitted bore doesn't bother me.
I'll have to send pics as soon as I can, but I am interested in this handgun more so every day as it shoots like a .22 target pistol (ie an S and W 41!) with 9mm ammuntion!
I've read that some say not to shoot a Luger for fear of breaking a part while others say they are for shooting. I got the gun for shooting but wonder if I should be careful about the frequency of doing so.
With the holster on my weak hand side the rig is most comfortable for the field. I am considering it as a good and accurate and reliable field companion.
I welcome any and all feedback!

John St

Edward Tinker · 07-02-2003, 12:19 PM

Sounds like a nice gun!

I always worry about shooting a "collector" piece, but with the finish wear, I would shoot the heck out of it. You might want to replace the original grips with some repros (wood or plastic), to keep from damaging them, along with possibily a new firing pin, extractor, etc., just to keep the orginal parts from possible breakage. Sounds like your price was a good one, holsters are worth approx., $100 - $150, depending on condition, so your matching gun as a low end collectable was a good deal.

Ed

lugercollector · 07-02-2003, 08:04 PM

Sounds like you are getting the Luger bug John!!!....in my opinion no other gun comes close as far as accuracy,function and balance are concerned.....not to mention historical significance....no wonder Lugers are so desirable....Peter...

John St · 07-03-2003, 01:11 AM

Thank you Edward and Peter for your responses and already I feel like I am part of the Luger devotee family!
Ed, I will consider getting these items!
Peter, I have the bug!

John St.
ps: what does 8,81 mean stamped on the underside of the barrel?

John Sabato · 07-03-2003, 10:29 AM

John St,

I recommend the East German type VOPO plastic grips with the target symbol on the sides...

They are usually inexpensive if you look for them, as well as durable and comfortable in the hand... and if you should break one there is no great loss.

Welcome to the Lugerforum.

P.S. I have had the "bug" for over 40 years.

Frank · 07-03-2003, 11:04 AM

Welcome John St.!!!

The number on the barrel (8,81) is the diameter of the bore (across the lands) in millimeters. In other words 8.81 mm, since the Europeans use the comma where we use the decimal point.

BTW, I think you made a screaming deal!!

John St · 07-04-2003, 07:35 PM

Frank,

You look a little green in your picture--too much broccoli?

John St

Frank · 07-05-2003, 01:26 AM

John, no spinach <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />

You know, me and Popeye

John St · 07-10-2003, 12:29 AM

Okay, Popeye!
John St

07-02-2003, 11:34 AM	#1
John St User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Member with 42 1940 All Matching Hello everyone! About a week ago I got #9622 with matching magazine and 22 stamped on all parts for $600.00 with a 1934 Eric Sindel stamped Holster from Berlin. Finish is original and about 75% and even the handgrips have #9622 on the insides. The number 655 with a 3 wing figure is stamped on one side of the barrel twice in succession and the cursive letter "e" appears in front of the trigger guard underneath. There aren't too many more markings that I can describe. The bore is pitted but the pistol shoots Winchester Silvertips and Gecco Hardball (the only two brands of 9mm I had on hand) extremely accurately into a small hole of four shots at 30' (one shot is always an inch higher but in line with the lower four into the hole). There are no malfunctions and since it shoots as well as it does the pitted bore doesn't bother me. I'll have to send pics as soon as I can, but I am interested in this handgun more so every day as it shoots like a .22 target pistol (ie an S and W 41!) with 9mm ammuntion! I've read that some say not to shoot a Luger for fear of breaking a part while others say they are for shooting. I got the gun for shooting but wonder if I should be careful about the frequency of doing so. With the holster on my weak hand side the rig is most comfortable for the field. I am considering it as a good and accurate and reliable field companion. I welcome any and all feedback! John St

07-02-2003, 12:19 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	Sounds like a nice gun! I always worry about shooting a "collector" piece, but with the finish wear, I would shoot the heck out of it. You might want to replace the original grips with some repros (wood or plastic), to keep from damaging them, along with possibily a new firing pin, extractor, etc., just to keep the orginal parts from possible breakage. Sounds like your price was a good one, holsters are worth approx., $100 - $150, depending on condition, so your matching gun as a low end collectable was a good deal. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

07-03-2003, 10:29 AM	#5
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	John St, I recommend the East German type VOPO plastic grips with the target symbol on the sides... They are usually inexpensive if you look for them, as well as durable and comfortable in the hand... and if you should break one there is no great loss. Welcome to the Lugerforum. P.S. I have had the "bug" for over 40 years. __________________ 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..."*

07-02-2003, 08:04 PM	#3
lugercollector Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: canada Posts: 322 Thanks: 0 Thanked 25 Times in 15 Posts	Sounds like you are getting the Luger bug John!!!....in my opinion no other gun comes close as far as accuracy,function and balance are concerned.....not to mention historical significance....no wonder Lugers are so desirable....Peter...

07-03-2003, 01:11 AM	#4
John St User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you Edward and Peter for your responses and already I feel like I am part of the Luger devotee family! Ed, I will consider getting these items! Peter, I have the bug! John St. ps: what does 8,81 mean stamped on the underside of the barrel?

07-03-2003, 11:04 AM	#6
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Welcome John St.!!! The number on the barrel (8,81) is the diameter of the bore (across the lands) in millimeters. In other words 8.81 mm, since the Europeans use the comma where we use the decimal point. BTW, I think you made a screaming deal!!

07-04-2003, 07:35 PM	#7
John St User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Frank, You look a little green in your picture--too much broccoli? John St

07-05-2003, 01:26 AM	#8
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	John, no spinach <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" /> You know, me and Popeye

07-10-2003, 12:29 AM	#9
John St User Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Okay, Popeye! John St