Inherited repro/fake?

Jovich · 03-23-2014, 12:03 AM

Hey there, everyone.

Pretty sure this is a fake/repro, but it was free so what the heck.
Barrel is blocked, it is stamped "Japan" on the left side directly under the toggle knob, stamped "P.08" right below that, and is stamped "SAFE" right on the safety latch (see photo). It has a serial number, but no proof marks or manufacturer stamps.

Any info regarding origin and whether it is worth putting a new barrel on to shoot it is appreciated, as is the time you all give to this site.

alanint · 03-23-2014, 08:19 AM

This is a replica gun made from Pot Metal and not a real firearm. Japan begand producing these in the 1960s. Model Gun Corp. (MGC) being among the nicer ones. Today, there are a dozen or more companies making these.

Sergio Natali · 03-23-2014, 08:35 AM

In this forum there are lots of people much more expert than me, but it doesn't look like a real Luger to me.
In any case it would be interesting to see a photo of the whole gun.

Jovich · 03-23-2014, 08:55 AM

That is about what I figured, thanks for the replies guys! Here is a crappy cellphone pic of the whole thing, with the grips removed. As you can see the safety is actually broken off, which is pretty hard to do to good steel. That is why I asked if you guys thought it would be safe to shoot if I put a new barrel on it. I am inclined to think not, but apparently someone else (government) thought otherwise as they felt the need to block the barrel in the first place.

Anyway, thanks again for your help!

Jovich · 03-23-2014, 08:56 AM

Oh, wait a minute...I think I understand....the barrel is blocked because it ISN'T safe to shoot.

Need more coffee.....

sheepherder · 03-23-2014, 09:43 AM

Strangely enough, the early metal modelguns command a premium price [among models]...Here is a site where they can tell you what you have (if you take enough pics!) and what it's worth...

http://mp40modelguns.forumotion.net/

Those metal modelguns are illegal in some areas - Like New York City or Nassau County in NYS...

They are collectible...Re-enactors and stage prop people, as well as static display props...The better ones [MGC as alanint said] are much sought after...

Yours looks quite detailed...Some of the modelguns actually will chamber a fake cartridge which gives off smoke, noise, and sparks...Quite realistic...

Sergio Natali · 03-23-2014, 12:50 PM

Joe

Please do not attempt to put any cartridge in it!
For what I've understood is not a real gun.

ithacaartist · 03-23-2014, 02:24 PM

MGC.
"Plug -Firing Cartridge" looks like a round but nose contains a small change that is ignited when the firing system slams it onto a lug inside the barrel. Ignition energies are sufficient to cycle the action like real,as described above.

stressed · 03-23-2014, 04:28 PM

Like the "flash powder" gun? I understand a Luger like this was used in the movie Schindler's List in the Luger scenes. (Which of course in Hollywood, and those who run it... are nothing but summary execution scenes)

Can you completely field strip the model like a real luger? I'm curious what the bolt looks like and if it has a firing pin.

sheepherder · 03-23-2014, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressed

I'm curious what the bolt looks like and if it has a firing pin.

The one I have does not have the firing pin in the bolt. There is an ignition pin in the breech, which the cartridge is pressed up against and ignites the primer that is inside the body of the 'cartridge'. I posted a pic of a dissembled pin fired cartridge here somewhere...

Here it is -

the 'bullet' is hollow and the pin in the barrel sticks through it when pushed by the bolt...the cap fires forward through the hollow bullet and the sparks, smoke, and noise come out the barrel...

Jovich · 03-25-2014, 11:00 PM

Hi folks, no there is no firing pin in the bolt of this one either. It looks like what sheepherder describes.

And don't worry, I have no intention of putting real ammo in this thing!

Thanks again everyone!

03-23-2014, 12:03 AM	#1
Jovich New User Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Inherited repro/fake? Hey there, everyone. Pretty sure this is a fake/repro, but it was free so what the heck. Barrel is blocked, it is stamped "Japan" on the left side directly under the toggle knob, stamped "P.08" right below that, and is stamped "SAFE" right on the safety latch (see photo). It has a serial number, but no proof marks or manufacturer stamps. Any info regarding origin and whether it is worth putting a new barrel on to shoot it is appreciated, as is the time you all give to this site.

03-23-2014, 08:35 AM	#3
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	In this forum there are lots of people much more expert than me, but it doesn't look like a real Luger to me. In any case it would be interesting to see a photo of the whole gun. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

03-23-2014, 08:55 AM	#4
Jovich New User Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Inherited fake/repro? That is about what I figured, thanks for the replies guys! Here is a crappy cellphone pic of the whole thing, with the grips removed. As you can see the safety is actually broken off, which is pretty hard to do to good steel. That is why I asked if you guys thought it would be safe to shoot if I put a new barrel on it. I am inclined to think not, but apparently someone else (government) thought otherwise as they felt the need to block the barrel in the first place. Anyway, thanks again for your help!

03-23-2014, 09:43 AM	#6
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Strangely enough, the early metal modelguns command a premium price [among models]...Here is a site where they can tell you what you have (if you take enough pics!) and what it's worth... http://mp40modelguns.forumotion.net/ Those metal modelguns are illegal in some areas - Like New York City or Nassau County in NYS... They are collectible...Re-enactors and stage prop people, as well as static display props...The better ones [MGC as alanint said] are much sought after... Yours looks quite detailed...Some of the modelguns actually will chamber a fake cartridge which gives off smoke, noise, and sparks...Quite realistic... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

03-23-2014, 12:50 PM	#7
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	Joe Please do not attempt to put any cartridge in it! For what I've understood is not a real gun. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

03-23-2014, 08:19 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	This is a replica gun made from Pot Metal and not a real firearm. Japan begand producing these in the 1960s. Model Gun Corp. (MGC) being among the nicer ones. Today, there are a dozen or more companies making these.

03-23-2014, 08:56 AM	#5
Jovich New User Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Oh, wait a minute...I think I understand....the barrel is blocked because it ISN'T safe to shoot. Need more coffee.....

03-23-2014, 02:24 PM	#8
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,342 Thanks: 7,264 Thanked 2,569 Times in 1,363 Posts	MGC. "Plug -Firing Cartridge" looks like a round but nose contains a small change that is ignited when the firing system slams it onto a lug inside the barrel. Ignition energies are sufficient to cycle the action like real,as described above. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

03-23-2014, 04:28 PM	#9
stressed User Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 197 Thanks: 41 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	Like the "flash powder" gun? I understand a Luger like this was used in the movie Schindler's List in the Luger scenes. (Which of course in Hollywood, and those who run it... are nothing but summary execution scenes) Can you completely field strip the model like a real luger? I'm curious what the bolt looks like and if it has a firing pin.

03-25-2014, 11:00 PM	#11
Jovich New User Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi folks, no there is no firing pin in the bolt of this one either. It looks like what sheepherder describes. And don't worry, I have no intention of putting real ammo in this thing! Thanks again everyone!