Newbie question

dwdesa · 01-29-2006, 09:07 PM

Hi guys!
I've been lurking around the forum for about a month now trying to learn as much as possible about the Luger that I'm interested in buying and I must say I'm quite impressed by all the knowledge you guys have and even more impressed with how willing you are to share this knowledge. It makes me feel more comfortable in asking newbie questions. Also, the more I read about the Luger the more I want to have one for myself.

On to the question:
The Luger I'm looking at seems to be in pretty good condition. It's a 1939 Mauser with all matching numbers including the magazine. The only problem I see is that when the gun is tilted back, the top portion of the gun slides back. Shouldn't this stay locked down until the toggle is pulled back?

I just thought I'd ask before making my first purchase. I would greatly appreciate all the help I can get.
Thanks,
Dave

pipeman45 · 01-30-2006, 01:39 AM

Yes, it shouldn't do that!

Edward Tinker · 01-30-2006, 01:43 AM

it sounds like they didn't put it together correctly.

Ed

dwdesa · 01-30-2006, 02:21 AM

Thanks so much for the quick response. I am really new to Lugers, but I didn't think that seemed right. How can I find out what's wrong? What part should keep this from happening?

How much does this de-value the gun?

Thanks again,
Dave

Dwight Gruber · 01-30-2006, 03:49 AM

Dave,

To expand a bit on Ed's comment, there is a small stirrup hanging down from the rear toggle link which engages a lever hooked to the recoil spring. If this is not engaged when the gun is put back together after being field-stripped, the result will be as you describe.

Disassembly and reassembly of a Luger is a very simple task, but engaging this stirrup can be a bit of a trick. It may involve holding teh pistol upside-down while sliding the reciever into position. I'd say take the gun apart--you should be doing that as a pre-purchase examination in any case--and see if you can't get it back together correctly.

--Dwight

dwdesa · 01-30-2006, 01:12 PM

Thanks Dwight. Excellent info! I'll talk to the guy selling the gun and try to arrange a time when I can take the gun down.

Buy the way, does anyone have a ballpark value of this gun as described in my first post? What might be a good offer?

Thanks again for everyone's help

Dave

Pete Ebbink · 01-30-2006, 01:17 PM

Dave,

Value of a luger depends on matching numbers...as you have said...but also if the finish is factory original, % of bluing and % of strawing remaining, condition of the bore, and the condition of grips and magazine.

It is difficult for folks to give ya a ball park w/out a bit more info.

p.s. Holding the gun upside-down when removing and replacing the receiver on top of the frame helps the "stirrup" fall into place easier as well...

dwdesa · 01-30-2006, 10:01 PM

Great information; Thanks!

I'll try to take some pictures of the gun next time I see it so ya'll can get a better idea its condition.

Again, thanks for the help.

Dave

Frank · 01-31-2006, 07:59 AM

Dave, a 1939 Military Mauser has ALL blue parts!! Condition is very important!! Good Luck.

thegundude · 01-31-2006, 08:33 AM

Frank, I was just going to point that out. Strawing of parts stopped in '38, IIRC.

Pete has been collecting Swiss guns for so long that he must have forgotten...

dwdesa · 02-01-2006, 06:33 AM

Thanks guys.

The seller has agreed to let me take the gun apart and take some pictures. I hope to have some posted by the weekend. Thanks for the help.
Dave

thegundude · 02-01-2006, 08:28 AM

Dave, that would be very helpful.

Ponyman · 02-01-2006, 04:47 PM

I'm a bit embarassed at having to correct you guys about re-assembly, but...

The gun has to be held upside down ONLY until the coupling link gets past the magazine well. Then it HAS to be turned right side up - so the link will drop in front of the lever..... (:-)

Edward Tinker · 02-01-2006, 04:50 PM

Pony, I always leave it slightly sideways and shake the living bejeezesus out of it, sometimes it works and sometimes I toss the luger in the trash

thegundude · 02-01-2006, 05:03 PM

LMAO @ Ed!!!

Ponyman · 02-03-2006, 06:05 PM

OK, Ed, could you toss it in MY trash??? (:-)

Edward Tinker · 02-03-2006, 07:06 PM

No, its gone forever, this morning this was in the trash;

thegundude · 02-03-2006, 07:11 PM

Your garbage man must love you...

Curly1 · 02-03-2006, 07:49 PM

Ed is that a Colt, Ithaca or a Remington? Or even better a Singer or US&S

I just picked up a Remington made here in Syracuse NY from a guy in Nevada a couple of weeks ago. And from a family historical perspective both my grandparents worked in the Remy plant here during the war, so I just had to have one.

dwdesa · 02-09-2006, 02:15 PM

I finally got the pictures done.
Please let me know what you guys think of the Luger.
I hope I didn't attach too many pictures

01-29-2006, 09:07 PM	#1
dwdesa User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO, USA Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Newbie question Hi guys! I've been lurking around the forum for about a month now trying to learn as much as possible about the Luger that I'm interested in buying and I must say I'm quite impressed by all the knowledge you guys have and even more impressed with how willing you are to share this knowledge. It makes me feel more comfortable in asking newbie questions. Also, the more I read about the Luger the more I want to have one for myself. On to the question: The Luger I'm looking at seems to be in pretty good condition. It's a 1939 Mauser with all matching numbers including the magazine. The only problem I see is that when the gun is tilted back, the top portion of the gun slides back. Shouldn't this stay locked down until the toggle is pulled back? I just thought I'd ask before making my first purchase. I would greatly appreciate all the help I can get. Thanks, Dave

01-30-2006, 01:39 AM	#2
pipeman45 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yes, it shouldn't do that! __________________ Dave

01-30-2006, 01:43 AM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	it sounds like they didn't put it together correctly. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

01-31-2006, 08:33 AM	#10
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Frank, I was just going to point that out. Strawing of parts stopped in '38, IIRC. Pete has been collecting Swiss guns for so long that he must have forgotten... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

02-01-2006, 08:28 AM	#12
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Dave, that would be very helpful. __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

01-30-2006, 02:21 AM	#4
dwdesa User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO, USA Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks so much for the quick response. I am really new to Lugers, but I didn't think that seemed right. How can I find out what's wrong? What part should keep this from happening? How much does this de-value the gun? Thanks again, Dave

01-30-2006, 03:49 AM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Dave, To expand a bit on Ed's comment, there is a small stirrup hanging down from the rear toggle link which engages a lever hooked to the recoil spring. If this is not engaged when the gun is put back together after being field-stripped, the result will be as you describe. Disassembly and reassembly of a Luger is a very simple task, but engaging this stirrup can be a bit of a trick. It may involve holding teh pistol upside-down while sliding the reciever into position. I'd say take the gun apart--you should be doing that as a pre-purchase examination in any case--and see if you can't get it back together correctly. --Dwight

01-30-2006, 01:12 PM	#6
dwdesa User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO, USA Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Dwight. Excellent info! I'll talk to the guy selling the gun and try to arrange a time when I can take the gun down. Buy the way, does anyone have a ballpark value of this gun as described in my first post? What might be a good offer? Thanks again for everyone's help Dave

01-30-2006, 01:17 PM	#7
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Dave, Value of a luger depends on matching numbers...as you have said...but also if the finish is factory original, % of bluing and % of strawing remaining, condition of the bore, and the condition of grips and magazine. It is difficult for folks to give ya a ball park w/out a bit more info. p.s. Holding the gun upside-down when removing and replacing the receiver on top of the frame helps the "stirrup" fall into place easier as well...

01-30-2006, 10:01 PM	#8
dwdesa User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO, USA Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Great information; Thanks! I'll try to take some pictures of the gun next time I see it so ya'll can get a better idea its condition. Again, thanks for the help. Dave

01-31-2006, 07:59 AM	#9
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Dave, a 1939 Military Mauser has ALL blue parts!! Condition is very important!! Good Luck.

02-01-2006, 06:33 AM	#11
dwdesa User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO, USA Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks guys. The seller has agreed to let me take the gun apart and take some pictures. I hope to have some posted by the weekend. Thanks for the help. Dave

02-01-2006, 04:47 PM	#13
Ponyman User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Atlantic County, NJ, USA Posts: 138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I'm a bit embarassed at having to correct you guys about re-assembly, but... The gun has to be held upside down ONLY until the coupling link gets past the magazine well. Then it HAS to be turned right side up - so the link will drop in front of the lever..... (:-) __________________ "The Constitution is intended for use by a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the governance of any other." ~ John Quincy Adams

02-01-2006, 04:50 PM	#14
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	Pony, I always leave it slightly sideways and shake the living bejeezesus out of it, sometimes it works and sometimes I toss the luger in the trash

02-01-2006, 05:03 PM	#15
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	LMAO @ Ed!!! __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

02-03-2006, 06:05 PM	#16
Ponyman User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Atlantic County, NJ, USA Posts: 138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	OK, Ed, could you toss it in MY trash??? (:-) __________________ "The Constitution is intended for use by a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the governance of any other." ~ John Quincy Adams

02-03-2006, 07:06 PM	#17
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	No, its gone forever, this morning this was in the trash; Attached Thumbnails

02-03-2006, 07:11 PM	#18
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Your garbage man must love you... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

02-03-2006, 07:49 PM	#19
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,228 Thanks: 111 Thanked 702 Times in 364 Posts	Ed is that a Colt, Ithaca or a Remington? Or even better a Singer or US&S I just picked up a Remington made here in Syracuse NY from a guy in Nevada a couple of weeks ago. And from a family historical perspective both my grandparents worked in the Remy plant here during the war, so I just had to have one. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

02-09-2006, 02:15 PM	#20
dwdesa User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO, USA Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Pictures of the gun I finally got the pictures done. Please let me know what you guys think of the Luger. I hope I didn't attach too many pictures Attached Thumbnails