Advice would be welcome

markm3 · 08-24-2002, 12:54 AM

Given that I am a student of WWI, I'm seriously considering purchasing a Luger that appears to have some historical provenance. While its condition is by no means perfect, it is screaming buy me, and I keep ging back to look at it. The description follows, and the seller has priced it at $750. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Also, I have learned more in a few days here than I could have imagined. You folks are invaluable resources, and a hell of a lot of fun.

"Unit marked, ALL MATCHING 1908 Imperial Army First Issue P.08 Luger. SN # 53xxx and unit marked "1.R.5.1" which is "1st Infantry Regiment 5th Company Weapon #1". Supplied to the Prussian 1st Infantry Regiment and was part of the 1st Division and the Koenigsberg Army Corps. Saw combat at Tannenberg in 1914 and also on the Western and Eastern Fronts. Extensive combat experience. Overall very good condition, 85% blue and straw. Some spotting and pitting from bad storage and combat use(blood pitting). All matching #'s. Excellent grips w/ good checkering and no chips or cracks. Excellent bore. Not an import. Overall an excellent and rare Unit Marked 1908 1st Issue Military Luger and great peice of history for your collection that can be traced back to the actual battle fields of Europe. Cashiers check or money order only. C&R required. $25 overnight shipping. I am not an expert with these but have done my best to accurately describe this. If you have any other questions please let me know."

Roadkill · 08-24-2002, 09:15 AM

Welcome Mark, glad you found the Forum. For a matched unit marked 1908 Imperial the price is acceptable but this depends on condition. Ron Wood and Jan Still are the resident pros in this arena. I had access to a 1911 Erfurt not unit marked in 50% condition for $585 and the consenus was $500 tops. The improvement in condition plus the date of manufacture plus the unit markings will add to the value of the one referenced. So what I'm saying is send the guy a money order asap. You want it, it has more verifiable history than most Lugers around, it fits your (and my) historical interests, the price to me isn't exorboriant, and when we die will be dead for a real long time. And most importantly, you'll never forgive yourself if you pass it up.
<img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

RK

Ron Wood · 08-24-2002, 12:50 PM

I have found 1st Issues a bit difficult to come by. So unless the pitting looks like a bombed out rice paddy, I think you would regret not acquiring it. Old veterans like to be appreciated, and considering your WWI interest you sound like the man to do it. Next step is to get a Pickelhaube! (if you don't already have one)

wterrell · 08-24-2002, 12:56 PM

markm3,
Sounds like a good buy. If it is honest, take it home.

Ron Wood · 08-24-2002, 02:08 PM

Terry,
"Not an import" on this side of the puddle is shorthand for 'does not have importer marking', but I bet you knew that already. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

markm3 · 08-25-2002, 11:28 PM

Many thanks for all of the responses. I went ahead and purchased it. It may well be pickle juice, but that's alright by me!

08-24-2002, 12:50 PM	#3
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: 7,019 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,173 Times in 1,701 Posts	I have found 1st Issues a bit difficult to come by. So unless the pitting looks like a bombed out rice paddy, I think you would regret not acquiring it. Old veterans like to be appreciated, and considering your WWI interest you sound like the man to do it. Next step is to get a Pickelhaube! (if you don't already have one) __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-24-2002, 12:56 PM	#4
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	markm3, Sounds like a good buy. If it is honest, take it home. __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

08-24-2002, 02:08 PM	#5
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: 7,019 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,173 Times in 1,701 Posts	Terry, "Not an import" on this side of the puddle is shorthand for 'does not have importer marking', but I bet you knew that already. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-25-2002, 11:28 PM	#6
markm3 User Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 59 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Many thanks for all of the responses. I went ahead and purchased it. It may well be pickle juice, but that's alright by me! __________________ markm3

08-24-2002, 12:54 AM	#1
markm3 User Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 59 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Advice would be welcome Given that I am a student of WWI, I'm seriously considering purchasing a Luger that appears to have some historical provenance. While its condition is by no means perfect, it is screaming buy me, and I keep ging back to look at it. The description follows, and the seller has priced it at $750. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Also, I have learned more in a few days here than I could have imagined. You folks are invaluable resources, and a hell of a lot of fun. "Unit marked, ALL MATCHING 1908 Imperial Army First Issue P.08 Luger. SN # 53xxx and unit marked "1.R.5.1" which is "1st Infantry Regiment 5th Company Weapon #1". Supplied to the Prussian 1st Infantry Regiment and was part of the 1st Division and the Koenigsberg Army Corps. Saw combat at Tannenberg in 1914 and also on the Western and Eastern Fronts. Extensive combat experience. Overall very good condition, 85% blue and straw. Some spotting and pitting from bad storage and combat use(blood pitting). All matching #'s. Excellent grips w/ good checkering and no chips or cracks. Excellent bore. Not an import. Overall an excellent and rare Unit Marked 1908 1st Issue Military Luger and great peice of history for your collection that can be traced back to the actual battle fields of Europe. Cashiers check or money order only. C&R required. $25 overnight shipping. I am not an expert with these but have done my best to accurately describe this. If you have any other questions please let me know." __________________ markm3

08-24-2002, 09:15 AM	#2
Roadkill User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 1,632 Thanks: 1 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Welcome Mark, glad you found the Forum. For a matched unit marked 1908 Imperial the price is acceptable but this depends on condition. Ron Wood and Jan Still are the resident pros in this arena. I had access to a 1911 Erfurt not unit marked in 50% condition for $585 and the consenus was $500 tops. The improvement in condition plus the date of manufacture plus the unit markings will add to the value of the one referenced. So what I'm saying is send the guy a money order asap. You want it, it has more verifiable history than most Lugers around, it fits your (and my) historical interests, the price to me isn't exorboriant, and when we die will be dead for a real long time. And most importantly, you'll never forgive yourself if you pass it up. <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" /> RK