Effect of unit markings on Luger values

Don M · 12-16-2006, 08:45 PM

Let's try this again. Please vote up to three times, one for each of the types of unit markings (Imperial military, Weimar military, Weimar police).

Don M · 12-23-2006, 10:27 PM

It looks like most folks feel unit markings are worth something. Glad to hear it!

stefanosg · 12-24-2006, 07:17 AM

Since one of my interests in Lugers is historical, unit markings would definately add value to me. Instead of being just a gun, its now a gun with a story.

Don M · 01-06-2007, 02:33 PM

I thought I would bring this back to the top one more time to see if it picks up any stragglers.

MikeP · 01-06-2007, 03:13 PM

At one time unit markings were undesireable among the "advanced" crowd.
I like them but place no premium on them.

Edward Tinker · 01-06-2007, 03:54 PM

Don, I have made this a sticky, as it is an interesting topic...

Ron Smith · 01-06-2007, 07:29 PM

I believe that George Anderson, Jan Still, Ed , Don and I, would all agree that unit marks add at least, a very minimum, of $500 to the value of a Luger or Mauser pistol.

~This has been a self-service announcement.~

Don M · 01-06-2007, 09:24 PM

I believe that George Anderson, Jan Still, Ed , Don and I, would all agree that unit marks add at least, a very minimum, of $500 to the value of a Luger or Mauser pistol.

...at least to the ones in my collection!!

pipeman45 · 01-07-2007, 10:32 AM

I have no idea what money value unit marks add to a gun. I just know that it adds to the history of the piece. The gun is talking to you, It's telling you where it's been. Now, if it could only tell us what it saw and did while it was there!

George Anderson · 01-08-2007, 08:18 AM

I have a 1911 dated DWM P08 that is marked to the German Southwest African Police. I gladly paid more than three times the value of a 1911 at that time.

OLDJARHEAD · 02-28-2008, 06:24 PM

As to value how about this one ? B. 16. R. 11.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...001_copy11.jpg

George Anderson · 02-28-2008, 07:49 PM

Jar Head, if your 16th Bavraian had a cursive R rather than a Roman R it would be worth a hell of a premium.

sheepherder · 09-29-2012, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeP

I like them but place no premium on them.

+1

cirelaw · 11-26-2012, 03:31 PM

Those that have unit markings will always command a higher price! Those that have matching stocks and matching unit marks are even rarer and thus more valued. They bring life to the gun and bestow its' own personality and are still out there! Eric

wlyon · 11-26-2012, 04:28 PM

I agree with Mike P and Postino. I know a lot of collectors are after unit marks, I am just not one of them. If they are there fine if not fine. No added value to me. Bill

cirelaw · 11-26-2012, 04:39 PM

Bill I own both unit marked and unmarked early war lugers. I am mearly refining my collection. Unit marks to me add another historical layer and perspective to my collection. Of course whether there are not marked. I love them all!

Norme · 11-26-2012, 05:10 PM

Unit or property marks can add considerable value. A common property mark on an Imperial Navy, like say W.W. or T.D., would add about 10% to it's value, rare and desirable marks like U.A. (Untersee Abteilung) or Gouv. Kiau., about 100%. And if, as George Anderson pointed out, the R on Jar Head's B.16.R. marked P08 was cursive, he could just about name his own price.
Regards, Norm

cirelaw · 11-26-2012, 05:39 PM

As do matching unit mark on the board and gun! Compliments of George Anderson, TKS

sheepherder · 12-01-2012, 08:17 AM

I added my comment above; but I would also add that the perceived 'added value' would only apply to Luger collectors. The average gun show Luger buyer ("I've always wanted one and now I have one!!!") could care less about mismatched magazines, numbers not matching, commercial vs military...or unit stamps...

...$.02...

danielsand · 03-26-2014, 05:36 PM

I would not dare to refer to myself as a "Luger collector" (I have only one, and I don't think I will be adding any more). But,.......IF I would run into a pistol that is marked with the unit that my father (or grandfather!) served with,........I would sell ANYTHING from my collection (I DO collect, but not Parabellums) to get it.

Point: Certain units have certain special meaning to some people, and they are willing to pay the premium.

IF I would be on the market for another one, I would consider other factors first, but I would also pay more for the one with the unit markings (regardless of which unit).

View Poll Results: Effect of unit markings on Luger values (in your opinion)
Imperial military unit marks increase value	109	86.51%
Imperial military unit marks have no effect	9	7.14%
Imperial military unit marks decrease value	3	2.38%
Weimar military unit marks increase value	89	70.63%
Weimar military unit marks have no effect	13	10.32%
Weimar military unit marks decrease value	5	3.97%
Weimar police unit marks increase value	85	67.46%
Weimar police unit marks have no effect	12	9.52%
Weimar police unit marks decrease value	5	3.97%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 126. You may not vote on this poll

12-16-2006, 08:45 PM	#1
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Effect of unit markings on Luger values Let's try this again. Please vote up to three times, one for each of the types of unit markings (Imperial military, Weimar military, Weimar police). __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

12-23-2006, 10:27 PM	#2
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	It looks like most folks feel unit markings are worth something. Glad to hear it! __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

12-24-2006, 07:17 AM	#3
stefanosg User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 367 Thanks: 1 Thanked 7 Times in 2 Posts	Since one of my interests in Lugers is historical, unit markings would definately add value to me. Instead of being just a gun, its now a gun with a story. __________________ "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

01-06-2007, 02:33 PM	#4
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	I thought I would bring this back to the top one more time to see if it picks up any stragglers. __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

01-06-2007, 03:13 PM	#5
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	At one time unit markings were undesireable among the "advanced" crowd. I like them but place no premium on them.

01-06-2007, 03:54 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Don, I have made this a sticky, as it is an interesting topic... __________________ 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

01-06-2007, 07:29 PM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I believe that George Anderson, Jan Still, Ed , Don and I, would all agree that unit marks add at least, a very minimum, of $500 to the value of a Luger or Mauser pistol. ~This has been a self-service announcement.~ __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

01-06-2007, 09:24 PM	#8
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	I believe that George Anderson, Jan Still, Ed , Don and I, would all agree that unit marks add at least, a very minimum, of $500 to the value of a Luger or Mauser pistol. ...at least to the ones in my collection!! __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

01-07-2007, 10:32 AM	#9
pipeman45 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have no idea what money value unit marks add to a gun. I just know that it adds to the history of the piece. The gun is talking to you, It's telling you where it's been. Now, if it could only tell us what it saw and did while it was there! __________________ Dave

01-08-2007, 08:18 AM	#10
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	I have a 1911 dated DWM P08 that is marked to the German Southwest African Police. I gladly paid more than three times the value of a 1911 at that time.

02-28-2008, 06:24 PM	#11
OLDJARHEAD User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 299 Thanks: 18 Thanked 19 Times in 9 Posts	As to value how about this one ? B. 16. R. 11. http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...001_copy11.jpg

02-28-2008, 07:49 PM	#12
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Jar Head, if your 16th Bavraian had a cursive R rather than a Roman R it would be worth a hell of a premium.

11-26-2012, 03:31 PM	#14
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Those that have unit markings will always command a higher price! Those that have matching stocks and matching unit marks are even rarer and thus more valued. They bring life to the gun and bestow its' own personality and are still out there! Eric

11-26-2012, 04:28 PM	#15
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,619 Thanks: 3,144 Thanked 2,531 Times in 943 Posts	I agree with Mike P and Postino. I know a lot of collectors are after unit marks, I am just not one of them. If they are there fine if not fine. No added value to me. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

11-26-2012, 04:39 PM	#16
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Bill I own both unit marked and unmarked early war lugers. I am mearly refining my collection. Unit marks to me add another historical layer and perspective to my collection. Of course whether there are not marked. I love them all!

11-26-2012, 05:10 PM	#17
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,415 Thanks: 225 Thanked 2,594 Times in 931 Posts	Unit or property marks can add considerable value. A common property mark on an Imperial Navy, like say W.W. or T.D., would add about 10% to it's value, rare and desirable marks like U.A. (Untersee Abteilung) or Gouv. Kiau., about 100%. And if, as George Anderson pointed out, the R on Jar Head's B.16.R. marked P08 was cursive, he could just about name his own price. Regards, Norm

11-26-2012, 05:39 PM	#18
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	As do matching unit mark on the board and gun! Compliments of George Anderson, TKS Attached Thumbnails

12-01-2012, 08:17 AM	#19
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts	I added my comment above; but I would also add that the perceived 'added value' would only apply to Luger collectors. The average gun show Luger buyer ("I've always wanted one and now I have one!!!") could care less about mismatched magazines, numbers not matching, commercial vs military...or unit stamps... ...$.02... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

03-26-2014, 05:36 PM	#20
danielsand User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: SoCal Posts: 137 Thanks: 52 Thanked 100 Times in 43 Posts	I would not dare to refer to myself as a "Luger collector" (I have only one, and I don't think I will be adding any more). But,.......IF I would run into a pistol that is marked with the unit that my father (or grandfather!) served with,........I would sell ANYTHING from my collection (I DO collect, but not Parabellums) to get it. Point: Certain units have certain special meaning to some people, and they are willing to pay the premium. IF I would be on the market for another one, I would consider other factors first, but I would also pay more for the one with the unit markings (regardless of which unit).