Rookie Needs Help!!!

[KEN]

I know next to nothing about Lugers. I was left one by my Grandfather. Please tell me what you can about it including it's value range.

This is what I know:

9mm

6" Barrel

Chrome, or Nickle type finish

Wood grips

Has a 42 Mark on slide ?Mauser Proof?

Has a 36 Mark over chamber ?1936 Production?

Has Millitary Proof Marks on right receiver

Has a 31 Mark on all small parts ?(What are these???)

All Numbers Match -exp. mag.

In Very Good Condition

[Dok]

OK, I'll have a stab at this.


9mm - Standard for this pistol.


6" Barrel - Definitely a barrel replacement, standard was 4".


Chrome or Nickle finish - Definitely a rework, standard was blue.


42 on Toggle - Yes Mauser proof.


36 on Chamber - Yes 1936 production.


Proofs - Yes Military issue.


31 on all small parts - The last two digits of serial number should end with 31. All matching means that these are "probably" the parts that were issued with the gun.


Non-Matching Mags - This is considered normal, matching mags are rarer to find, but do exist.


In very good condition - well that is a moot point. Condition as expressed by collectors would mean "original condition". With yours the barrel has likely been replaced, and it has been plated, so condition as a collectible no longer applies. What you have now is what we refer to as a "Shooter". It has no collectible value, and a shooter value of between 500 - 700 dollars. Now I could be wrong about the plating thing, and maybe this was some offical presentation piece, maybe someone else can jump in here and help out. If it is something rarer than I predicted, then the value would change accordingly. As this was your grandfather's I would suggest keeping it for it's sentimental value, but be prepared to realize that it may have no collector value. If so, you may fire it with impunity.


Dok

[Kyrie]

Hi Ken,


Dokâ??s comments are right on target. I can add only that the pistol is not all matching, despite appearances. The â??36â?� over the chamber does indeed indicate that part was made in 1936, and â??42â?� on the toggle does mean that part was made but Mauser. But Mauser didnâ??t start using the â??42â?� code until 1941, so at the very least the barrel extension and toggle donâ??t belong together :-(


It has no collector value, and its shooter value is about $250 - $350.


Best regards,


Kyrie

[Dok]

but I didn't have reference material nearby at the time.


Thanks Kyrie

[Johnny Peppers]

Mauser started using the 42 code in 1939 as both S/42 and 42 coded pistols will be found for 1939. Also, Mauser used the full four digits to date their 1936 pistols. As far as I know only Krieghoff dated some of their 1936 pistols with 36 instead of the full four digits.

[dc8ray]

So this shooter that I have:


Above the chamber is "1937". The toggle has "S/42". The serial number is 7438 and all the parts are stamped 38. Is the toggle mis-matched or did I misunderstand some of the above replies?


Ray

1937 lugers made by S/42 (Mauser) are as manufactured. The 38 on all the parts (and on firing pin and hold open latch as well as inside of each stock) are the as-manufactured parts. It is all original except for the hobby finish. Nickel/chroming was popular here in the US on WW2 captured guns. As described it is a 1937 military luger with an after war plating finish. There are a few navy lugers that are in the 1937 year but they have numbers on the grip straps and are extremely rare. The value depends on the buyer but I would range it from $250 to $450.

[Johnny Peppers]

Your pistol was serial numbered in the military style of stamping the last two digits of the serial number on the small parts in a conspicious place. The S/42 is the military code for Mauser as was 42 and byf in later years, and the 1937 is the year of manufacture. Your sideplate should also have a 74 stamped inside in addition to the 38 stamped outside.

[Hugh]

I don't know what part of the country you guys live in, but you ain't gonna find no $250 Loogers in Texas, no matter what shape or condition they is in! You will be lucky to find a mixed # shooter for under $350!

[Dok]

That was my feeling, and why I said $500-$700. Low cost shooters have gone the way of the nickle sodee-pop.

[Don]

Another report from the Lone Star State: cheapest I've seen at gun show or store -- $389.00 for a piece of rust that'd probably blow up in your face -- if you could get it to fire. I've come to rely of Ralph Shattuck. His shooters run from about $400 to $1,000, but they're good value for the money. (I learned this the hard way, after buying a couple of shooters at gun shows.)

[Kyrie]

Johnny is absolutely correct, and I was wrong. I was thinking â??byfâ?� - my very own case of excessive headspace :-(


Best regards,


Kyrie

[Kyrie]

Hi Hugh,


Egads! I really liked Austin and San Antonio and was thinking of retiring there, but if shooter Lugers are that dear in Texas I may have to rethink this. The last couple of shooters I bought were $375 (100% reblue, matched frame and matched cannon that didnâ??t match each other) and $300 (90% very nicely done re-blue on a matching 1918 DWM). While itâ??s always possible to pay too much for a Luger (and thatâ??s the wry voice of experience), Iâ??d not spend more than about $425 on the nicest four-inch barreled shooter.


Best regards,


Kyrie

[Dok]

and it was in pretty sad shape (full auto at that). I invested another $425 and now have an object d'art that I'm very pleased with. Ya git whatcha pay fer - yanno?


Dok

[Deaf Smith]

Was'nt there a bunch of shooters imported from Russia or europe a few years back selling for $309 or $289? These were at (least around here) displayed in the case they came in usualy about 10 or 15 at a time. they didnt look great but I heard they did shoot pretty good.

Deaf Smith

[Dok]

My barrel had been replaced, and then never shot, so as Ted Green (Thor) puts it, it had a bore like "wet glass". Mine was from East Germany, VOPO rework.