S42 Navy luger: genuine or not?

WW2collector · 04-19-2009, 11:27 PM

Gents, I'm considering purchasing this Navy Luger.

The seller is a reputable guy on GunBroker, with no neg feedbacks. When asked, states that the pistol was NOT refinished..

Can someone please advise me as to whether this Luger is Genuine or counterfeit? what do I look for? What is it worth?

thanks!!!

link:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=127329358

Edward Tinker · 04-19-2009, 11:36 PM

The seller is well known to me (we share a table at the Allentown show, and is a friend of mine). If he says it is not refinished, its most likely not.

Ed

WW2collector · 04-20-2009, 12:16 AM

Ed, thanks for your quick response. Always appreciate ur feedback.

Navy · 04-20-2009, 07:50 AM

Very nice gun; well worth the asking price and then some.

Tom A

kidvett · 04-20-2009, 10:25 PM

WW2collector

If you buy this one & it's of interest to you....I have mag # N 2894 in my 1938 S/42 N 2807 KM Luger. Would probably be willing to trade up for a mag closer to the NordSee N 2807 markings on my pistol....

Marc

WW2collector · 04-21-2009, 08:56 PM

Gents, thank you for your replies.
what about bluing:
does this pistol not strike you as re blued on some pics?? also, should the grips be numbered?

here's the link again, please take an another look:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=127329358

alanint · 04-21-2009, 09:15 PM

I'm no expert and I don't know the seller but just from the photographs I would say older reblue.

WW2collector · 04-21-2009, 09:36 PM

older re blue is what it seems like to me as well.....

DavidJayUden · 04-21-2009, 11:13 PM

Checkering on the grips seems pretty course. Re-pops?

alanint · 04-22-2009, 06:34 AM

That and the wood to metal fit and the way the checkering drops off well before the grip's edge look suspiciously like repro quality.

John Sabato · 04-22-2009, 10:43 AM

TOM A IS our resident Navy expert, has seen and owned more Navy Lugers than anyone I have known.

...and he has declared the pistol to be righteous... and worth the asking price... If I had the money available, the gun would already be in a shipping container headed my way.

The blue finish looks in excellent condition to these old eyes, and the finish appears to be typical Mauser quality for the 1938 timeframe...

Tom Whiteman · 04-22-2009, 01:50 PM

Just saw this posting and since it is my luger I will attempt to answer some of the comments. As people have emailed me, I have told them that I'm fairly sure that it is original finish. But I have also said that if you buy it and are not completely satisfied I always allow a 3 day inspection with NO problem on returning the gun. I want buyer to be completely satisfied.
I have compared to other finishes I have and as I said it looks all correct except for the straps that look a little duller than others. Some mentioned that perhaps an "old redone" luger? I would not argue that except to say I really cant tell.
The other issue I would throw out there is that the Property marking is more faint than others I have encountered. However, I do not believe the property mark is faked. So.... a real Navy is my conclusion that I believe to be original finish, but would not argue with those who disagree. I picked it up fairly inexpensive and thought I was offering as such. Definately not trying to pull something over on anyone. Thanks for looking.

WW2collector · 04-22-2009, 03:01 PM

Tom, thank you for you reply. Obviously not an issue with your character, as you come a knowledgeable and highly recommended dealer.

LugerVern · 04-22-2009, 05:25 PM

Trying to analyze a 98% gun using modern high resolution pictures can lead to some errors. I know" been there done that".
Ironically the glare from the nice finish causes most of the problem. This gun needs to be looked at in hand, as do all 98%+ guns and the seller offers that option.

What would I look for with the gun in hand, the use of touch up cold bluing a long time ago.

I see no evidence that this gun has been refinished and think it is a good buy.

Vern

DavidJayUden · 04-23-2009, 08:59 AM

Thanks all for clearing things up. Seems that the learning never stops.
DJU

04-19-2009, 11:27 PM	#1
WW2collector User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY State Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	S42 Navy luger: genuine or not? Gents, I'm considering purchasing this Navy Luger. The seller is a reputable guy on GunBroker, with no neg feedbacks. When asked, states that the pistol was NOT refinished.. Can someone please advise me as to whether this Luger is Genuine or counterfeit? what do I look for? What is it worth? thanks!!! link: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=127329358

04-22-2009, 10:43 AM	#11
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	TOM A IS our resident Navy expert, has seen and owned more Navy Lugers than anyone I have known. ...and he has declared the pistol to be righteous... and worth the asking price... If I had the money available, the gun would already be in a shipping container headed my way. The blue finish looks in excellent condition to these old eyes, and the finish appears to be typical Mauser quality for the 1938 timeframe... __________________ 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..."*

04-19-2009, 11:36 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,911 Thanks: 1,987 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	The seller is well known to me (we share a table at the Allentown show, and is a friend of mine). If he says it is not refinished, its most likely not. Ed

04-20-2009, 12:16 AM	#3
WW2collector User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY State Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ed, thanks for your quick response. Always appreciate ur feedback.

04-20-2009, 07:50 AM	#4
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Very nice gun; well worth the asking price and then some. Tom A

04-20-2009, 10:25 PM	#5
kidvett User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	WW2collector If you buy this one & it's of interest to you....I have mag # N 2894 in my 1938 S/42 N 2807 KM Luger. Would probably be willing to trade up for a mag closer to the NordSee N 2807 markings on my pistol.... Marc

04-21-2009, 08:56 PM	#6
WW2collector User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY State Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Gents, thank you for your replies. what about bluing: does this pistol not strike you as re blued on some pics?? also, should the grips be numbered? here's the link again, please take an another look: http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=127329358

04-21-2009, 09:15 PM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I'm no expert and I don't know the seller but just from the photographs I would say older reblue.

04-21-2009, 09:36 PM	#8
WW2collector User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY State Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	older re blue is what it seems like to me as well.....

04-21-2009, 11:13 PM	#9
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Checkering on the grips seems pretty course. Re-pops?

04-22-2009, 06:34 AM	#10
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	That and the wood to metal fit and the way the checkering drops off well before the grip's edge look suspiciously like repro quality.

04-22-2009, 01:50 PM	#12
Tom Whiteman User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phila, PA Posts: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 28 Times in 3 Posts	Just saw this posting and since it is my luger I will attempt to answer some of the comments. As people have emailed me, I have told them that I'm fairly sure that it is original finish. But I have also said that if you buy it and are not completely satisfied I always allow a 3 day inspection with NO problem on returning the gun. I want buyer to be completely satisfied. I have compared to other finishes I have and as I said it looks all correct except for the straps that look a little duller than others. Some mentioned that perhaps an "old redone" luger? I would not argue that except to say I really cant tell. The other issue I would throw out there is that the Property marking is more faint than others I have encountered. However, I do not believe the property mark is faked. So.... a real Navy is my conclusion that I believe to be original finish, but would not argue with those who disagree. I picked it up fairly inexpensive and thought I was offering as such. Definately not trying to pull something over on anyone. Thanks for looking.

04-22-2009, 03:01 PM	#13
WW2collector User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY State Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Tom, thank you for you reply. Obviously not an issue with your character, as you come a knowledgeable and highly recommended dealer.

04-22-2009, 05:25 PM	#14
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	Trying to analyze a 98% gun using modern high resolution pictures can lead to some errors. I know" been there done that". Ironically the glare from the nice finish causes most of the problem. This gun needs to be looked at in hand, as do all 98%+ guns and the seller offers that option. What would I look for with the gun in hand, the use of touch up cold bluing a long time ago. I see no evidence that this gun has been refinished and think it is a good buy. Vern

04-23-2009, 08:59 AM	#15
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Thanks all for clearing things up. Seems that the learning never stops. DJU