Please help to ID Luger

mspf · 02-21-2011, 11:02 PM

Gentlemen,
This is my first post on your forum. I recently became the owner of a beautiful Luger. I was contacted to see if I wanted the item by an elderly lady who said it was an "ruger". I was shocked when I saw it was actually a LUGER! and in fabulous condition. The woman who had the pistol said it had belonged to her husband who was a Customs Inspector. Inside the holster was a card signed by the Chief of Police in 1929, idenitfying the make, model, serial number and owner, complete with his finger print and date of birth in 1903. Her husband also wrote his name and agency inside the holster.

I am new to the Luger world and I ran it by a Gunsmith friend of mine who advised me it was a .30 caliber, 1920 Commercial Model. I have seen a wide variety commercial models on the internet in various conditions. I would like to nail down the exact model and era of when it was made. Also if anyone would know an approximate value I would be interested in any information that could be had when it comes to this weapon.

Thank you gentlemen.

Regards,
Jay

DavidJayUden · 02-21-2011, 11:09 PM

Very nice!
dju

mspf · 02-21-2011, 11:29 PM

Here are the last few photos that wouldnt load the first time.

MFC · 02-21-2011, 11:45 PM

Hi Jay,
According to Still's Weimar Lugers, your Luger S#2628o was made in the latter part of 1925. The newer and more correct classification is an Alphabet DWM commercial (formerly 1920 commercial). We're trying to teach old dogs new tricks. Many tens of thousands were exported to the US in the 20's. C/N stamps are commercial firing proofs. 'GERMANY' stamped under the S# is an export stamp and is the country of origin, which complies with US law. The holster is military.

mspf · 02-21-2011, 11:45 PM

Last few photos.

mspf · 02-21-2011, 11:49 PM

Mike C,
Thank you Sir for the information! I'm fascinated with this weapon and its history!

Lugerdoc · 02-22-2011, 09:24 AM

Your 1926 dtd military holster is certinly scarcer than the luger, even with the name written inside. TH

mspf · 02-22-2011, 11:46 AM

Thanks LugerDoc,
What makes the holster so rare? I recently, quite by accident, found two P38 holsters for my father in laws Nazi stamped P38. One just like the brown leather one that came with my luger and a softer black leather holster. Are they on the rare side as well?

Thank you!

lugerholsterrepair · 02-22-2011, 12:23 PM

Jay..What makes the holster so rare?

It isn't. I think what Tom is saying is that Alphabet .30 Lugers are fairly common. Military holsters aren't even scarce really. On any given day you will find hundreds of them for sale on eBay. They tend to be a tad expensive but they are certainly available.

wlyon · 02-22-2011, 01:40 PM

It looks like Tom thought the holster was 1926 instead of 1936.Military holsters in the 20's are harder to come by. Bill

mrerick · 02-22-2011, 01:44 PM

Jay,

You're looking at a particularly nice DWM Alphabet Commercial Luger that looks like it's in it's original finish.

Combined with the holster and provenance, it's a desirable rig.

Collectors don't value the commercial pistols as much as military pistols.

Did you acquire it? Are you looking for valuation?

Marc

mspf · 02-22-2011, 02:29 PM

Thank you for all the replies and helping me get up to speed on this luger. I appreciate all your knowledge and expirience with these items. I would be interested in an approximate value if one could be found. The pistol is in great shape and was stored quite well. All original parts and finish. No pitting or rust.

Once again, thank you for all the help!

Semper Fi,
Jay

lugerholsterrepair · 02-22-2011, 03:08 PM

Bill, I re-read Tom's post and that's it exactly! Tom thought 1926 and yes..that would be scarce if not rare!

Thanks Bill...

Jay, I would peg your pistol at around $750-850 IF it is all matching inside and out. It would come in a tad higher but for some condition issues. Bluing rubbed here and there. Hard to do a real estimate from such limited photo's but these .30 Commercials are less desirable than 9MM Militaries.
The holster is right around $300-350 depending. That's if further photo's don't reveal some $$ killing problem.

mspf · 02-22-2011, 06:15 PM

Thank you Mr. Burney. It does have a few wear marks on the slide. Still great condition!

Edward Tinker · 02-22-2011, 08:33 PM

Yes it is a very nice commercial luger. I think $800-$900 is about right, retail, plus or minus a bit.

The holster appears to be a nice one.

And yes, 1926 holsters are fairly rare, I have 2 and have only seen 7 or 8 myself (3 with the same collector).

Ed

Lugerdoc · 02-23-2011, 09:33 AM

mspf, Most luger holster made in the 1920s were for the police; very few for the military, since they had a lot of surplus ones from WW1. TH

mspf · 02-24-2011, 08:31 PM

Thank you Mr Tinker and Luger Doc. I had no idea the holsters had their own history and could be so valuable.

02-21-2011, 11:02 PM	#1
mspf User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Please help to ID Luger Gentlemen, This is my first post on your forum. I recently became the owner of a beautiful Luger. I was contacted to see if I wanted the item by an elderly lady who said it was an "ruger". I was shocked when I saw it was actually a LUGER! and in fabulous condition. The woman who had the pistol said it had belonged to her husband who was a Customs Inspector. Inside the holster was a card signed by the Chief of Police in 1929, idenitfying the make, model, serial number and owner, complete with his finger print and date of birth in 1903. Her husband also wrote his name and agency inside the holster. I am new to the Luger world and I ran it by a Gunsmith friend of mine who advised me it was a .30 caliber, 1920 Commercial Model. I have seen a wide variety commercial models on the internet in various conditions. I would like to nail down the exact model and era of when it was made. Also if anyone would know an approximate value I would be interested in any information that could be had when it comes to this weapon. Thank you gentlemen. Regards, Jay Attached Thumbnails

02-21-2011, 11:29 PM	#3
mspf User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Here are the last few photos that wouldnt load the first time. Attached Thumbnails

02-21-2011, 11:45 PM	#4
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Hi Jay, According to Still's Weimar Lugers, your Luger S#2628o was made in the latter part of 1925. The newer and more correct classification is an Alphabet DWM commercial (formerly 1920 commercial). We're trying to teach old dogs new tricks. Many tens of thousands were exported to the US in the 20's. C/N stamps are commercial firing proofs. 'GERMANY' stamped under the S# is an export stamp and is the country of origin, which complies with US law. The holster is military. __________________ Mike C.

02-21-2011, 11:45 PM	#5
mspf User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Last few photos. Attached Thumbnails

02-22-2011, 09:24 AM	#7
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	Your 1926 dtd military holster is certinly scarcer than the luger, even with the name written inside. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-21-2011, 11:09 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Very nice! dju

02-21-2011, 11:49 PM	#6
mspf User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mike C, Thank you Sir for the information! I'm fascinated with this weapon and its history!

02-22-2011, 11:46 AM	#8
mspf User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks LugerDoc, What makes the holster so rare? I recently, quite by accident, found two P38 holsters for my father in laws Nazi stamped P38. One just like the brown leather one that came with my luger and a softer black leather holster. Are they on the rare side as well? Thank you!

02-22-2011, 12:23 PM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,857 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	Jay..What makes the holster so rare? It isn't. I think what Tom is saying is that Alphabet .30 Lugers are fairly common. Military holsters aren't even scarce really. On any given day you will find hundreds of them for sale on eBay. They tend to be a tad expensive but they are certainly available. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

02-22-2011, 01:40 PM	#10
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,618 Thanks: 3,141 Thanked 2,526 Times in 942 Posts	It looks like Tom thought the holster was 1926 instead of 1936.Military holsters in the 20's are harder to come by. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

02-22-2011, 01:44 PM	#11
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,372 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Jay, You're looking at a particularly nice DWM Alphabet Commercial Luger that looks like it's in it's original finish. Combined with the holster and provenance, it's a desirable rig. Collectors don't value the commercial pistols as much as military pistols. Did you acquire it? Are you looking for valuation? Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war. Last edited by mrerick; 02-22-2011 at 08:48 PM. Reason: Bill and I posted same info same timeframe...

02-22-2011, 02:29 PM	#12
mspf User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you for all the replies and helping me get up to speed on this luger. I appreciate all your knowledge and expirience with these items. I would be interested in an approximate value if one could be found. The pistol is in great shape and was stored quite well. All original parts and finish. No pitting or rust. Once again, thank you for all the help! Semper Fi, Jay

02-22-2011, 03:08 PM	#13
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,857 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	Bill, I re-read Tom's post and that's it exactly! Tom thought 1926 and yes..that would be scarce if not rare! Thanks Bill... Jay, I would peg your pistol at around $750-850 IF it is all matching inside and out. It would come in a tad higher but for some condition issues. Bluing rubbed here and there. Hard to do a real estimate from such limited photo's but these .30 Commercials are less desirable than 9MM Militaries. The holster is right around $300-350 depending. That's if further photo's don't reveal some $$ killing problem. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

02-22-2011, 06:15 PM	#14
mspf User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you Mr. Burney. It does have a few wear marks on the slide. Still great condition!

02-22-2011, 08:33 PM	#15
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Yes it is a very nice commercial luger. I think $800-$900 is about right, retail, plus or minus a bit. The holster appears to be a nice one. And yes, 1926 holsters are fairly rare, I have 2 and have only seen 7 or 8 myself (3 with the same collector). 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

02-23-2011, 09:33 AM	#16
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	mspf, Most luger holster made in the 1920s were for the police; very few for the military, since they had a lot of surplus ones from WW1. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-24-2011, 08:31 PM	#17
mspf User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you Mr Tinker and Luger Doc. I had no idea the holsters had their own history and could be so valuable.