My new Luger and a few rookie questions...
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Bermuda (Eat Your Heart Out)
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A very nice looking pistol...
and although it's difficult to tell from the photos, my guess is has been reworked. Largely because of the parts you call "chrome or nickle-plated".
In early Lugers these parts were "strawed", a heat treatment that left them with a gold finish. Over time, the starwing fades to an almost white colour, which is what I believe you have on your gun.
Strawing (and Rust Bluing) were discontinued by Mauser on Lugers in mid 1937 (both of which your gun appears to have). So without further pictures or information I'd say the rework was done a long time ago by an expert.
I will leave the valuing up to the collectors, because maybe an original rework (done in the 40s) might have a greater value than a modern rework, but a modern rework would place this gun around $600-$700 for insurance purposes.
The grips are definitely non-issue, and as such add nothing to the value. The grips should have been plastic (or Bakelite) I believe, but would stand to be corrected.
I agree with Lonnie, have a look for that side plate, it MUST be around, it can only help matters. Failing that Tom Heller (see Links & Resources) often has many original parts, give him a shout. Hope this helps.
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