Help with value 1917

focalpoint · 11-22-2009, 08:30 AM

I inherited this Luger from my collector Uncle. It's a 1917 DWM. No accessories. All numbers match except the mag. Having problems with valuation as I am not sure how to rate the amount of finish that is left on the barrel. Thanks in advance for the help.

sheepherder · 11-22-2009, 08:37 AM

Digital pictures posted online always exaggerate pits & scratches; I'm sure your arty looks much better when viewing it with the naked eye. I like the patina.

Yours has a fine-tune rear sight; can't tell about the front...but the front sight blade seems to have a notch filed in the rear slope???

I'm not into artillery Lugers...Hopefully, someone will chime in about it...If I had to make a WAG, I'd say it would sell for $1700+ on GB...

Edit: Yes; you have a fine-tune front sight also...make my GB bid $1900+...

The notch is bad...Looks like someone has also added a drop of braze to the top, as a "sighting aid"...

Now if it were me, I'd try getting hold of an original unmodified fine-tune front sight...(and my bid would be back to $1700)...

spartacus38 · 11-22-2009, 09:18 AM

Value:$1000-$1200

Ron Smith · 11-22-2009, 09:30 AM

I agree with "postino", approx. $1700. The finish appears to be around 65-70%, and if it has all matching numbers.

Ron

focalpoint · 11-22-2009, 09:56 AM

Thanks for the info guys....much appreciated!

sheepherder · 11-22-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by focalpoint

Thanks for the info guys....much appreciated!

You might check with Lugerdoc about getting an original fine-tune front sight (without the notch!)...he may (or may not) have one...

focalpoint · 11-22-2009, 10:18 AM

Will it detract from the value if I replace the original sight....as it has the serial number on it?

lugerholsterrepair · 11-22-2009, 01:59 PM

Focal, DO NOT replace ANY numbered part!

Both Postino, Ron and Ed have placed a higher value on this old Soldier than I would. The pitting and finish, lack of straw.. drop it almost into a shooter catagory.

Have you checked the internal numbers? Also rear sights on these have a lot of numbers..do all sight numbers check out? Grips numbered to the pistol?

A lot depends on how quickly you want to sell. It would sell immediately at Bob's estimate of $1000..probably do about as well at $1200. $1500 is an estimate I would be comfortable with not knowing more about it such as the bore condition.
Anything much over $1500 will exclude shooter buyers and true Artillery collectors are looking for one in much better condition. At $1700 it might get that much but it might be on the market for some time. Just hard to say...Artillery pistols are highly desirable both for collectors and shooters. Trouble is..prices have dropped..the economy is not what it was and squeezing top dollar out of these is not as easy as 2 years ago.

Jerry Burney

11-22-2009, 08:30 AM	#1
focalpoint User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Help with value 1917 I inherited this Luger from my collector Uncle. It's a 1917 DWM. No accessories. All numbers match except the mag. Having problems with valuation as I am not sure how to rate the amount of finish that is left on the barrel. Thanks in advance for the help. Attached Thumbnails

11-22-2009, 09:30 AM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I agree with "postino", approx. $1700. The finish appears to be around 65-70%, and if it has all matching numbers. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

11-22-2009, 01:59 PM	#8
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	Focal, DO NOT replace ANY numbered part! Both Postino, Ron and Ed have placed a higher value on this old Soldier than I would. The pitting and finish, lack of straw.. drop it almost into a shooter catagory. Have you checked the internal numbers? Also rear sights on these have a lot of numbers..do all sight numbers check out? Grips numbered to the pistol? A lot depends on how quickly you want to sell. It would sell immediately at Bob's estimate of $1000..probably do about as well at $1200. $1500 is an estimate I would be comfortable with not knowing more about it such as the bore condition. Anything much over $1500 will exclude shooter buyers and true Artillery collectors are looking for one in much better condition. At $1700 it might get that much but it might be on the market for some time. Just hard to say...Artillery pistols are highly desirable both for collectors and shooters. Trouble is..prices have dropped..the economy is not what it was and squeezing top dollar out of these is not as easy as 2 years ago. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

11-22-2009, 08:37 AM	#2
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts	Digital pictures posted online always exaggerate pits & scratches; I'm sure your arty looks much better when viewing it with the naked eye. I like the patina. Yours has a fine-tune rear sight; can't tell about the front...but the front sight blade seems to have a notch filed in the rear slope??? I'm not into artillery Lugers...Hopefully, someone will chime in about it...If I had to make a WAG, I'd say it would sell for $1700+ on GB... Edit: Yes; you have a fine-tune front sight also...make my GB bid $1900+... The notch is bad...Looks like someone has also added a drop of braze to the top, as a "sighting aid"... Now if it were me, I'd try getting hold of an original unmodified fine-tune front sight...(and my bid would be back to $1700)...

11-22-2009, 09:18 AM	#3
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	Value:$1000-$1200

11-22-2009, 09:56 AM	#5
focalpoint User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the info guys....much appreciated!

11-22-2009, 10:18 AM	#7
focalpoint User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Will it detract from the value if I replace the original sight....as it has the serial number on it?