Newbie with 1st Luger 9mm

Techmike · 04-25-2018, 11:46 AM

Greetings. New to Lugers and this forum. What a great resource this place is! I have long wanted a Luger, saw my first one as a young-un when Lt. Col Henry Arps, a WW2 P-47 pilot, showed me his German pistol collection. I recently ran across one at an Ohio gun show, the seller said he had shot it and it was in working order - plus it was within my budget. I have no expectations that is anything special, it does not have much in the way of markings - just a HK in a circle on the top of the receiver, 7714 stamped on both sides and what looks like 7 on the inside of the side plate. Came with a holster, I can see no markings on that. I would like your expert opinions on just where & when it might come from. I have uploaded 11 pics - please let me know if there is anything else I can provide. I received no history from the seller, he acquired it in a trade.
Thanks!
Mike

DavidJayUden · 04-25-2018, 11:56 AM

It has certainly been buffed and reblued.
I'd like to see good photos of the markings; front numbers, right, left, bottom and top.
Thanks, and welcome aboard!
dju

wlyon · 04-25-2018, 12:10 PM

Buffed and reblued for sure. The mag is Swiss. The holster not sure what it is . It looks similar to an Astra 400 holster. Not a military luger holster. Should make a great shooter. Welcome and enjoy. Bill

ithacaartist · 04-25-2018, 12:28 PM

I have a holster just like it, Bill. Isn't it one of the variations of the "Bulgarian" holsters we see?

Mine has lots of miles on it, although it's still very sound. Unfortunately, it has a hole in the toe where the muzzle has juuust worn through. I keep one of my stainless Aimco-made Lugers in it, since with that pistol I don't need to worry about rust!

HerrKaiser · 04-25-2018, 12:51 PM

By Chance, did you get this one at the gun show in Maumee OH? I saw this exact Luger (or one that is incredibly similar) there in late March and had decided to pass it up since it had no visible toggle stamp or other proof marks beyond that "hk" in a circle on the receiver. Otherwise I too look forward to more answers on this topic since I was researching it the rest of the day and could find nothing for these markings.

Techmike · 04-25-2018, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

It has certainly been buffed and reblued.
I'd like to see good photos of the markings; front numbers, right, left, bottom and top.
Thanks, and welcome aboard!
dju

Thank you David. There are no front, bottom or top numbers or dates. Just 7714 on the right side of the barrel extension and the left side of the frame. and what is either a 1 or a 7 on the inside of the trigger cover and on the bottom of the receiver. I have uploaded pics of what numbers there are.

Techmike · 04-25-2018, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerrKaiser

By Chance, did you get this one at the gun show in Maumee OH? I saw this exact Luger (or one that is incredibly similar) there in late March and had decided to pass it up since it had no visible toggle stamp or other proof marks beyond that "hk" in a circle on the receiver. Otherwise I too look forward to more answers on this topic since I was researching it the rest of the day and could find nothing for these markings.

Must be the same Luger, I first saw it at the Lima show. The HK in a circle is the only thing I may have found a reference to, but there should be other markings in conjunction with it or so I have read.

From another forum:
"Heinrich Krieghoff was a gun maker who was known to use a back to back “H” and “K” that looked something like the Russian letter Zhe Ж”.

Techmike · 04-25-2018, 02:59 PM

Thanks all for comments and thoughts.
Mike

HerrKaiser · 04-25-2018, 03:13 PM

Oh neat, you’re also on this side of the state then. My dad works in Lima, my family lives a little south of Lima.

DonVoigt · 04-25-2018, 04:26 PM

I think you can be sure the small circle HK was added during refinish and has nothing to do with the German concern of H. Keighoff.

mrerick · 04-25-2018, 04:43 PM

You'll probably enjoy our Luger Forum FAQ document. Download the PDF from here:

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121

Sergio Natali · 04-26-2018, 01:03 PM

Obviously buffed and reblued but it you only wanted a shooter those things don't matter.

DavidJayUden · 04-26-2018, 01:36 PM

There are no front, bottom or top numbers or dates. Just 7714 on the right side of the barrel extension and the left side of the frame. and what is either a 1 or a 7 on the inside of the trigger cover and on the bottom of the receiver. I have uploaded pics of what numbers there are.

There is no serial number with letter in front of the trigger, just under the barrel or on the bottom of the barrel itself?
dju

Techmike · 04-26-2018, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

You'll probably enjoy our Luger Forum FAQ document. Download the PDF from here:

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121

Thanks!

Techmike · 04-26-2018, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donvoigt

i think you can be sure the small circle hk was added during refinish and has nothing to do with the german concern of h. Keighoff.

10-4

Techmike · 04-26-2018, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

There are no front, bottom or top numbers or dates. Just 7714 on the right side of the barrel extension and the left side of the frame. and what is either a 1 or a 7 on the inside of the trigger cover and on the bottom of the receiver. I have uploaded pics of what numbers there are.

There is no serial number with letter in front of the trigger, just under the barrel or on the bottom of the barrel itself?
dju

Attached some close-up pics.

Techmike · 04-26-2018, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerrKaiser

Oh neat, you’re also on this side of the state then. My dad works in Lima, my family lives a little south of Lima.

Such a small world that we were looking at the same pistol....

DavidJayUden · 04-26-2018, 07:41 PM

It is really hard to be certain from the photos, in-hand would be preferable, but it looks like somebody has removed all the markings, acceptance stamps, maker's crest, and serial numbers, and crudely re-stamped a number. I don't know if doing so is legal or not.
But what you have, IMHO, is a shooter, plain and simple. If it works correctly it will be the star of the shooting range, if not, then it will probably be for sale again soon.
Sorry that I can't offer much else. Any specific questions that we may be able to answer?
dju

Techmike · 04-27-2018, 08:23 PM

Thanks David,and everyone else for your thoughts and answers.

04-25-2018, 11:46 AM	#1
Techmike User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Newbie with 1st Luger 9mm Greetings. New to Lugers and this forum. What a great resource this place is! I have long wanted a Luger, saw my first one as a young-un when Lt. Col Henry Arps, a WW2 P-47 pilot, showed me his German pistol collection. I recently ran across one at an Ohio gun show, the seller said he had shot it and it was in working order - plus it was within my budget. I have no expectations that is anything special, it does not have much in the way of markings - just a HK in a circle on the top of the receiver, 7714 stamped on both sides and what looks like 7 on the inside of the side plate. Came with a holster, I can see no markings on that. I would like your expert opinions on just where & when it might come from. I have uploaded 11 pics - please let me know if there is anything else I can provide. I received no history from the seller, he acquired it in a trade. Thanks! Mike Attached Thumbnails

04-25-2018, 12:10 PM	#3
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,614 Thanks: 3,140 Thanked 2,519 Times in 939 Posts	Buffed and reblued for sure. The mag is Swiss. The holster not sure what it is . It looks similar to an Astra 400 holster. Not a military luger holster. Should make a great shooter. Welcome and enjoy. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

04-25-2018, 12:28 PM	#4
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,283 Thanks: 7,007 Thanked 2,476 Times in 1,319 Posts	I have a holster just like it, Bill. Isn't it one of the variations of the "Bulgarian" holsters we see? Mine has lots of miles on it, although it's still very sound. Unfortunately, it has a hole in the toe where the muzzle has juuust worn through. I keep one of my stainless Aimco-made Lugers in it, since with that pistol I don't need to worry about rust! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

04-25-2018, 12:51 PM	#5
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 800 Thanks: 750 Thanked 793 Times in 376 Posts	By Chance, did you get this one at the gun show in Maumee OH? I saw this exact Luger (or one that is incredibly similar) there in late March and had decided to pass it up since it had no visible toggle stamp or other proof marks beyond that "hk" in a circle on the receiver. Otherwise I too look forward to more answers on this topic since I was researching it the rest of the day and could find nothing for these markings. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

04-25-2018, 03:13 PM	#9
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 800 Thanks: 750 Thanked 793 Times in 376 Posts	Oh neat, you’re also on this side of the state then. My dad works in Lima, my family lives a little south of Lima. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

04-25-2018, 11:56 AM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	It has certainly been buffed and reblued. I'd like to see good photos of the markings; front numbers, right, left, bottom and top. Thanks, and welcome aboard! dju

04-25-2018, 02:59 PM	#8
Techmike User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks all for comments and thoughts. Mike

04-25-2018, 04:26 PM	#10
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	I think you can be sure the small circle HK was added during refinish and has nothing to do with the German concern of H. Keighoff. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

04-25-2018, 04:43 PM	#11
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	You'll probably enjoy our Luger Forum FAQ document. Download the PDF from here: http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=13121 __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

04-26-2018, 01:03 PM	#12
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Obviously buffed and reblued but it you only wanted a shooter those things don't matter. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

04-26-2018, 01:36 PM	#13
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	There are no front, bottom or top numbers or dates. Just 7714 on the right side of the barrel extension and the left side of the frame. and what is either a 1 or a 7 on the inside of the trigger cover and on the bottom of the receiver. I have uploaded pics of what numbers there are. There is no serial number with letter in front of the trigger, just under the barrel or on the bottom of the barrel itself? dju

04-26-2018, 07:41 PM	#18
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	It is really hard to be certain from the photos, in-hand would be preferable, but it looks like somebody has removed all the markings, acceptance stamps, maker's crest, and serial numbers, and crudely re-stamped a number. I don't know if doing so is legal or not. But what you have, IMHO, is a shooter, plain and simple. If it works correctly it will be the star of the shooting range, if not, then it will probably be for sale again soon. Sorry that I can't offer much else. Any specific questions that we may be able to answer? dju

04-27-2018, 08:23 PM	#19
Techmike User Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Thanks David,and everyone else for your thoughts and answers.