1939 "42" Luger

Tony S. · 10-22-2002, 12:07 PM

I am looking into purchasing this gun from a private owner. The gun is probably 98% bluing and according to owner, grips do not have any numbers inside. I have included a picture of right side of gun seeking some answers. The numbers on the side plate were Xed out and scribed the last two digits of serial number. Also, the serial number on the right side has an X next to the number but nothing under it. Is this a local fixed?
http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/DSC00014.jpg
Thanks, Tony

web page

Navy · 10-22-2002, 12:21 PM

Hi Tony,

That Luger is a former East Bloc POW, probably Russian surplus. It has been reworked extensively and may make an OK shooter but it has zero collector value.

Hope this helps,

Tom A.

John Sabato · 10-22-2002, 12:29 PM

Tony,

IMHO

The "x" markings are an indicator that this Luger is part of a batch of recent russian imported guns from their captured WW2 guns.

Most all of these guns have been dip reblued. The finish is most likely not original.

The sideplate was replaced from captured parts and electric penciled to match the serial number.

The potential value of the gun I will leave to someone else to estimate... but if it seems in good mechanical shape and you get it for a good price it should make a great shooter.

Doubs · 10-22-2002, 12:52 PM

Tony, it's most likely a Russian "capture" piece that has been refurbished by the Russians prior to being sold.... just as John S. has already said.

Tom A is also correct in that it will have little appeal to collectors and should be priced as a "shooter". You should be able to get the piece at a good price and if the bore is in VG or better condition it'll be a nice shooter.

Some (myself included) are of the opinion that the East German reworks and Russia capture pistols will one day be a collectable within their own rights. They'll NEVER command the prices of the original all-matching guns but so many of them will be heavily used as shooters or parted out to repair other pistols that they'll become scarce. These guns are as much a part of Luger history as any other and deserve to be preserved as such. If reworks by Simpson or Vono or Frankenschloss are accepted as varients, why not the East German and Russian capture pistols?

Tony S. · 10-22-2002, 08:25 PM

Thanks a lot for the information. I had the feeling that it was a Russian rework. I just had some doubts since everything else matched so well with a veeeery good bore.
I will continue with the hunting.
Thanks, Tony <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

10-22-2002, 12:07 PM	#1
Tony S. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1939 "42" Luger I am looking into purchasing this gun from a private owner. The gun is probably 98% bluing and according to owner, grips do not have any numbers inside. I have included a picture of right side of gun seeking some answers. The numbers on the side plate were Xed out and scribed the last two digits of serial number. Also, the serial number on the right side has an X next to the number but nothing under it. Is this a local fixed? http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/DSC00014.jpg Thanks, Tony web page

10-22-2002, 12:29 PM	#3
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	Tony, IMHO The "x" markings are an indicator that this Luger is part of a batch of recent russian imported guns from their captured WW2 guns. Most all of these guns have been dip reblued. The finish is most likely not original. The sideplate was replaced from captured parts and electric penciled to match the serial number. The potential value of the gun I will leave to someone else to estimate... but if it seems in good mechanical shape and you get it for a good price it should make a great shooter. __________________ 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..."*

10-22-2002, 12:21 PM	#2
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Hi Tony, That Luger is a former East Bloc POW, probably Russian surplus. It has been reworked extensively and may make an OK shooter but it has zero collector value. Hope this helps, Tom A.

10-22-2002, 12:52 PM	#4
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 769 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	Tony, it's most likely a Russian "capture" piece that has been refurbished by the Russians prior to being sold.... just as John S. has already said. Tom A is also correct in that it will have little appeal to collectors and should be priced as a "shooter". You should be able to get the piece at a good price and if the bore is in VG or better condition it'll be a nice shooter. Some (myself included) are of the opinion that the East German reworks and Russia capture pistols will one day be a collectable within their own rights. They'll NEVER command the prices of the original all-matching guns but so many of them will be heavily used as shooters or parted out to repair other pistols that they'll become scarce. These guns are as much a part of Luger history as any other and deserve to be preserved as such. If reworks by Simpson or Vono or Frankenschloss are accepted as varients, why not the East German and Russian capture pistols?

10-22-2002, 08:25 PM	#5
Tony S. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 173 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks a lot for the information. I had the feeling that it was a Russian rework. I just had some doubts since everything else matched so well with a veeeery good bore. I will continue with the hunting. Thanks, Tony <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />