Rookie Made a Mistake

KEN · 08-13-2001, 07:25 PM

I posted a message a few days ago asking for help identifing a Luger my Grandfather left me. I SCREWED UP BIG TIME!!! The mark over the chamber is "39" NOT 36.

The mark on the slide is "42". Also, is it remotely possible that the "Chrome" colored finish on this gun is original and not an after war plate job. I have seen other guns that have been plated and it tends to cover over the stamp marks. All the marks on this gun appear to have been made after plating. Also, the frame itself appears to be non-plated, but rather made of a zinc or aluminun alloy??

Is this gun still just a nice shooter or should I lock it away for safe keeping??? Please give me your input!!

Dok · 08-13-2001, 07:50 PM

of any zinc or aluminum alloy Luger frames made around the 1939 time frame, but I could be wrong.

Dok

Kyrie · 08-13-2001, 07:53 PM

Hi Ken,

I regret to say itÃ¢??s a shooter. If it is not blued it has either been stripped down to the bare metal or plated. A good plating job wonÃ¢??t obscure any of the markings, no matter how fine they are.

Best regards,

Kyrie

08-13-2001, 08:21 PM

A few Walther pistols were made with alloy during WW2. There are some ppk's that appear nickle plated that are original. It is possible that a few lugers were made in alloy for test purposes. A few lugers were also made that were presentation pieces. The chance that the luger you describe is one of these possibilities is extremely low. If you can post a picture and provide the full serial number, it would be interesting but I think it is reasonable to say your luger was plated or the bluing removed. By posting a picture, we can tell if it is restorable or at least pin down the nature of the finish.

Regardless, these are fascinating artifacts of war and yours has a history you can trace back to that epic time.

dc8ray · 08-13-2001, 08:22 PM

On the nickled shooter that I have (1937 S/42), all numbers show up very well and proof marks are still identifiable.

Ray

lugerholsterrepair · 08-13-2001, 09:57 PM

Ken, Just to be sure of what you are looking at, take a magnet and test the frame..You can be sure if steel or alloy. Alloy guns are extreamly rare and it would be very valuble if alloy and original..

bill m · 08-14-2001, 12:21 AM

The Luger in question is a shooter! ALL engraved presentation Lugers were Krieghoff's, as were any alloy frames. Anyone that is suggesting that you might have a rare Luger is mis-leading you. Your Luger is a common WWII Mauser that has been dolled up.

KEN · 08-14-2001, 08:57 AM

The magnet test was a great idea. The magnet stuck to the frame like glue.

Thanks everyone, for your non bias input.

While this gun is just a shooter, it is still a nice piece of history and has alot of sentimental value to me.

I just wanted to be sure of what I really had before some unscrupulous dealer suckered it away from me.

You guys are great!!!!!

Dok · 08-14-2001, 06:34 PM

Please be a regular visitor here, there's lots of great info shared on this site, and lots of very knowledgeable and friendly guys. You'll learn much and increase your enjoyment of your Luger.

Dok

08-13-2001, 07:25 PM	#1
KEN User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Rookie Made a Mistake I posted a message a few days ago asking for help identifing a Luger my Grandfather left me. I SCREWED UP BIG TIME!!! The mark over the chamber is "39" NOT 36. The mark on the slide is "42". Also, is it remotely possible that the "Chrome" colored finish on this gun is original and not an after war plate job. I have seen other guns that have been plated and it tends to cover over the stamp marks. All the marks on this gun appear to have been made after plating. Also, the frame itself appears to be non-plated, but rather made of a zinc or aluminun alloy?? Is this gun still just a nice shooter or should I lock it away for safe keeping??? Please give me your input!!

08-13-2001, 07:50 PM	#2
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I'm not aware... of any zinc or aluminum alloy Luger frames made around the 1939 time frame, but I could be wrong. Dok

08-13-2001, 07:53 PM	#3
Kyrie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 212 Times in 101 Posts	Re: Rookie Made a Mistake Hi Ken, I regret to say itÃ¢??s a shooter. If it is not blued it has either been stripped down to the bare metal or plated. A good plating job wonÃ¢??t obscure any of the markings, no matter how fine they are. Best regards, Kyrie

08-13-2001, 08:21 PM	#4
mlm Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Rookie Made a Mistake A few Walther pistols were made with alloy during WW2. There are some ppk's that appear nickle plated that are original. It is possible that a few lugers were made in alloy for test purposes. A few lugers were also made that were presentation pieces. The chance that the luger you describe is one of these possibilities is extremely low. If you can post a picture and provide the full serial number, it would be interesting but I think it is reasonable to say your luger was plated or the bluing removed. By posting a picture, we can tell if it is restorable or at least pin down the nature of the finish. Regardless, these are fascinating artifacts of war and yours has a history you can trace back to that epic time.

08-13-2001, 08:22 PM	#5
dc8ray User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Rookie Made a Mistake On the nickled shooter that I have (1937 S/42), all numbers show up very well and proof marks are still identifiable. Ray

08-13-2001, 09:57 PM	#6
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,855 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	Re: Rookie Made a Mistake Ken, Just to be sure of what you are looking at, take a magnet and test the frame..You can be sure if steel or alloy. Alloy guns are extreamly rare and it would be very valuble if alloy and original..

08-14-2001, 12:21 AM	#7
bill m User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 385 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Rookie Made a Mistake The Luger in question is a shooter! ALL engraved presentation Lugers were Krieghoff's, as were any alloy frames. Anyone that is suggesting that you might have a rare Luger is mis-leading you. Your Luger is a common WWII Mauser that has been dolled up.

08-14-2001, 08:57 AM	#8
KEN User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Thanks for the help!!!!!! The magnet test was a great idea. The magnet stuck to the frame like glue. Thanks everyone, for your non bias input. While this gun is just a shooter, it is still a nice piece of history and has alot of sentimental value to me. I just wanted to be sure of what I really had before some unscrupulous dealer suckered it away from me. You guys are great!!!!!

08-14-2001, 06:34 PM	#9
Dok RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out) Posts: 1,626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	You're more than welcome... Please be a regular visitor here, there's lots of great info shared on this site, and lots of very knowledgeable and friendly guys. You'll learn much and increase your enjoyment of your Luger. Dok