Found Luger

wvreilly · 08-19-2004, 01:41 PM

I am looking for information on a Luger that my husband had removed from a German Officer prisoner of war in WWII. I showed it to my son-in-law and he suggested that I search the Web for information. The gun and holster is all together and I will try to describe it with numbers I have found on the gun. I would appreciate any information you can give me.
Holster - xxxxx(?) & Borns (I can't really read it all) in a half circle with "Hanover" below and "1936". Has clip on side in small pocket with the number "9030" and something below I can't read. Stitching is all o.k. - no fraying, etc. Inside is a place for a small instrument and it's there, but I don't know what it's for.
Gun - in excellent condition. My brother said he borrowed it many years ago and fired it - so it apparently still works! It has been wrapped in a soft cloth in holster for many years. Top of barrel has "1939" (year?) with "42" down a little further. The serial number (I think) is the number "7689" no letter in front. All other parts seem to be marked "89". Toward the back of the barrel are two marks, then a bird. Under the two marks are the number "655". The clip in the gun is marked "2" and then under that the number "1291. Also has a bird with a circle with "X" in the center and a "C".
Is this enough information to find out about the gun?

John Sabato · 08-19-2004, 01:59 PM

wvreilly

welcome to the Lugerforum. Your husband's Luger was produced by Mauser (code 42 on the toggle) in the year 1939. It is a relatively common military Luger and a good one.

The instrument in the small pocket of the holster is a screwdriver for removal of the grips, and the tool is also used to make loading the magazine a little easier by putting the hole in the tool over the button on the side of the magazine and using it to compress the spring while loading ammuntion. The magazine should hold 8 rounds.

The gun appears to be all matching numbers which is good, but the magazines are from other Lugers...

The entire "rig" consisting of the gun, holster, magazines and tool are worth roughly $1000 to $1400 or MORE depending on the actual condition of the components... and condition is somewhat subjective... If you could post photographs of the pieces it would be helpful in placing a current market value on the rig... My recommendation is to keep the gun in your family as an heirloom and a piece of family and World history, because once it is gone, you will never get it back... and someday some grandchild will discover that Granddad brought home and Luger from WW2 ... and be saddened that someone sold it...

If the WV in your name indicates that you are from West Virginia, let me know... I live near the VA/WV border and could possibly see the gun in person if you are not too far away...

If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

John D. · 08-19-2004, 04:20 PM

Hi Weldeen..!

I think John moved your topic to the "New Members" area - so if you click here:
Click here!!!

It should take you "there" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Welcome to the LugerForum!!

Edward Tinker · 08-19-2004, 05:50 PM

No, I did it

It "said" it'd leave a link and like everything, darn 'puters...

John D. · 08-19-2004, 06:56 PM

Awww - shoot.. Well - I blamed John S. anyway - he needs some harassing <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Now - let me lock this thread down before John can reply

John D.

Edward Tinker · 08-19-2004, 07:04 PM

Oh, okay, wouldn't want anyone to reply AFTER you...

John D. · 08-19-2004, 07:21 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Edward Tinker:
Oh, okay, wouldn't want anyone to reply AFTER you...

<hr /></blockquote>Exactly

08-19-2004, 01:41 PM	#1
wvreilly New User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Found Luger I am looking for information on a Luger that my husband had removed from a German Officer prisoner of war in WWII. I showed it to my son-in-law and he suggested that I search the Web for information. The gun and holster is all together and I will try to describe it with numbers I have found on the gun. I would appreciate any information you can give me. Holster - xxxxx(?) & Borns (I can't really read it all) in a half circle with "Hanover" below and "1936". Has clip on side in small pocket with the number "9030" and something below I can't read. Stitching is all o.k. - no fraying, etc. Inside is a place for a small instrument and it's there, but I don't know what it's for. Gun - in excellent condition. My brother said he borrowed it many years ago and fired it - so it apparently still works! It has been wrapped in a soft cloth in holster for many years. Top of barrel has "1939" (year?) with "42" down a little further. The serial number (I think) is the number "7689" no letter in front. All other parts seem to be marked "89". Toward the back of the barrel are two marks, then a bird. Under the two marks are the number "655". The clip in the gun is marked "2" and then under that the number "1291. Also has a bird with a circle with "X" in the center and a "C". Is this enough information to find out about the gun?

08-19-2004, 01:59 PM	#2
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	wvreilly welcome to the Lugerforum. Your husband's Luger was produced by Mauser (code 42 on the toggle) in the year 1939. It is a relatively common military Luger and a good one. The instrument in the small pocket of the holster is a screwdriver for removal of the grips, and the tool is also used to make loading the magazine a little easier by putting the hole in the tool over the button on the side of the magazine and using it to compress the spring while loading ammuntion. The magazine should hold 8 rounds. The gun appears to be all matching numbers which is good, but the magazines are from other Lugers... The entire "rig" consisting of the gun, holster, magazines and tool are worth roughly $1000 to $1400 or MORE depending on the actual condition of the components... and condition is somewhat subjective... If you could post photographs of the pieces it would be helpful in placing a current market value on the rig... My recommendation is to keep the gun in your family as an heirloom and a piece of family and World history, because once it is gone, you will never get it back... and someday some grandchild will discover that Granddad brought home and Luger from WW2 ... and be saddened that someone sold it... If the WV in your name indicates that you are from West Virginia, let me know... I live near the VA/WV border and could possibly see the gun in person if you are not too far away... If we can be of further assistance, please let us know. __________________ 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..."*

08-19-2004, 05:50 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,924 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,518 Times in 2,087 Posts	No, I did it It "said" it'd leave a link and like everything, darn 'puters... __________________ 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

08-19-2004, 07:04 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,924 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,518 Times in 2,087 Posts	Oh, okay, wouldn't want anyone to reply AFTER you... __________________ 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

08-19-2004, 07:21 PM	#7
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 477 Thanked 514 Times in 128 Posts	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Edward Tinker: <strong>Oh, okay, wouldn't want anyone to reply AFTER you... </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Exactly

08-19-2004, 04:20 PM	#3
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 477 Thanked 514 Times in 128 Posts	Hi Weldeen..! I think John moved your topic to the "New Members" area - so if you click here: Click here!!! It should take you "there" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Welcome to the LugerForum!!

08-19-2004, 06:56 PM	#5
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 477 Thanked 514 Times in 128 Posts	Awww - shoot.. Well - I blamed John S. anyway - he needs some harassing <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Now - let me lock this thread down before John can reply John D.