What have I got?

oldphardt · 09-19-2013, 03:38 PM

Just received a Luger barrel on barrel extension inside a wooden stock shaped case. There is no fitting on the case to attach to a frame but that part may have been cut off. Who should I send photos to for help in identifying this piece. Markings have been removed from the top of the barrel extension leaving only (left side) the remains of an "N" proof mark with a couple of dots over the top of it. The number "349" is on the little tab underside of the extension. The barrel has no markings and does not appear to have ever had any. 10 inch barrel with ramp front sight and no rear sight look old style - like back in the 1920s. Wooden case looks original with button release at the bottom back end. It is cut out for a Luger style gun with an opening at the bottom for the hand grip to protrude. Leather hinge is screwed on. Metal plate wraps around the bottom the the case wrist and held in place with 4 well worn screws. So, what have I got here?
Dennis

Edward Tinker · 09-19-2013, 06:52 PM

Welcome to the forum. Just post photos here.

oldphardt · 09-20-2013, 12:05 AM

Well, after some poking around it appears that the wood case was made for a Luger WITHOUT the stock attachment extension at the bottom rear of the grip. Not enough room to close the lid with my Luger inside. Wood case definitely made for Luger with 10 inch barrel. This Barrel is 30 Cal - not 9mm.

John Sabato · 09-20-2013, 10:23 AM

Please take much better sharp focus photos in better light. Preferably taken outside on a cloudy or overcast day with a contrasting background. A tripod is recommended to eliminate shake. Closeups of all stamps and proof marks too. No flash. Any markings on the stock?

The stock is very curious as I have not seen one like that before. It may be a custom stock. The barrel does not look factory original from the photos you have already posted... better photos will yield a better evaluation...

Welcome to the forum.

oldphardt · 09-20-2013, 01:47 PM

No visible markings on the wood case. I am convinced it is not and never was a stock. Reason for this is shown in one photo. The cover will not close on a Luger with a stock capable grip. Take away the grip portion associated with the stock attachment feature and the cover would close. Looks like Bubba worked this over trying anyway only to discover that he would have to cut away latch mechanism to do it. Personal guess is that the case dates pre-WWI or perhaps to the 1920. The case appears to have been made specifically for the 10 inch barrel version.

Guess my basic question is: "Is this some high end collectable or just an odd piece with not particular collectible value?"

The pistol seen in the photos is one of the group exported with short 30 Cal barrels (1920's).

Ron Wood · 09-20-2013, 02:32 PM

It is a neat item and someone took a fair amount of time to craft it. I suspect it was a fairly skilled wood worker that hollowed out two halves since they did not have long milling cutters to reach down inside a single block of wood. The latch assembly is pretty cool. I think you are correct that it was originally made for a Luger without a stock lug and bubba tried to make it work without success.

The receiver is post-1920 but the original Luger frame that is no longer with the holster would most likely have had to be one from before late 1913 when the stock lug became standard on nearly all Lugers.

I think it has limited collector interest as a custom made piece but it is not a high dollar item.

oldphardt · 09-20-2013, 02:53 PM

Right now I have enough hobbies. How much do you think I could get for the wood? To put it right I would need to buy a new grip frame, and lots more stuff to make the total look right. I could also sell the barrel/extension that goes with it.

09-19-2013, 03:38 PM	#1
oldphardt User Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	What have I got? Just received a Luger barrel on barrel extension inside a wooden stock shaped case. There is no fitting on the case to attach to a frame but that part may have been cut off. Who should I send photos to for help in identifying this piece. Markings have been removed from the top of the barrel extension leaving only (left side) the remains of an "N" proof mark with a couple of dots over the top of it. The number "349" is on the little tab underside of the extension. The barrel has no markings and does not appear to have ever had any. 10 inch barrel with ramp front sight and no rear sight look old style - like back in the 1920s. Wooden case looks original with button release at the bottom back end. It is cut out for a Luger style gun with an opening at the bottom for the hand grip to protrude. Leather hinge is screwed on. Metal plate wraps around the bottom the the case wrist and held in place with 4 well worn screws. So, what have I got here? Dennis

09-19-2013, 06:52 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	Welcome to the forum. Just post photos here. __________________ 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

09-20-2013, 12:05 AM	#3
oldphardt User Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Got photos Well, after some poking around it appears that the wood case was made for a Luger WITHOUT the stock attachment extension at the bottom rear of the grip. Not enough room to close the lid with my Luger inside. Wood case definitely made for Luger with 10 inch barrel. This Barrel is 30 Cal - not 9mm. Attached Thumbnails

09-20-2013, 10:23 AM	#4
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	Please take much better sharp focus photos in better light. Preferably taken outside on a cloudy or overcast day with a contrasting background. A tripod is recommended to eliminate shake. Closeups of all stamps and proof marks too. No flash. Any markings on the stock? The stock is very curious as I have not seen one like that before. It may be a custom stock. The barrel does not look factory original from the photos you have already posted... better photos will yield a better evaluation... Welcome to the forum. __________________ 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..."*

09-20-2013, 01:47 PM	#5
oldphardt User Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	High resolution photos No visible markings on the wood case. I am convinced it is not and never was a stock. Reason for this is shown in one photo. The cover will not close on a Luger with a stock capable grip. Take away the grip portion associated with the stock attachment feature and the cover would close. Looks like Bubba worked this over trying anyway only to discover that he would have to cut away latch mechanism to do it. Personal guess is that the case dates pre-WWI or perhaps to the 1920. The case appears to have been made specifically for the 10 inch barrel version. Guess my basic question is: "Is this some high end collectable or just an odd piece with not particular collectible value?" The pistol seen in the photos is one of the group exported with short 30 Cal barrels (1920's). Attached Thumbnails

09-20-2013, 02:32 PM	#6
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,096 Times in 1,676 Posts	It is a neat item and someone took a fair amount of time to craft it. I suspect it was a fairly skilled wood worker that hollowed out two halves since they did not have long milling cutters to reach down inside a single block of wood. The latch assembly is pretty cool. I think you are correct that it was originally made for a Luger without a stock lug and bubba tried to make it work without success. The receiver is post-1920 but the original Luger frame that is no longer with the holster would most likely have had to be one from before late 1913 when the stock lug became standard on nearly all Lugers. I think it has limited collector interest as a custom made piece but it is not a high dollar item. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

09-20-2013, 02:53 PM	#7
oldphardt User Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Right now I have enough hobbies. How much do you think I could get for the wood? To put it right I would need to buy a new grip frame, and lots more stuff to make the total look right. I could also sell the barrel/extension that goes with it.