1937 S/42 Luger - Page 2

Bill Hibbert · 02-01-2008, 12:47 AM

ok.. and a last question.. if it is original.. and not blued what is it worth.. Again.. I have taken it apart.. all numbers are the same.. other than the clip do you have a range

Zamo · 02-01-2008, 01:04 AM

1937 S/42's are pretty common, for an uncommon gun

"If" it hasn't been reblued, and "If" the serial numbers all match, then it becomes dependent on the remaining finish. Some of your pictures make the finish look a little tarnished, as though there's been some rust here or there. Hopefully your next set of pictures will clarify this. That could be the deciding factor on a final price. very rough ballpark until all these variables are known would be, in my less than expert opinion somewhere between $1000 and $1600 compared to other S/42's I've seen lately. As reference, a pistol that is reblued, or mismatched has little collectors value and is refered to as a "shooter" and they top out at about a grand, with some pretty nice ones selling for about $800-$900. So being as yours is all matching, it's worth at least a bit more than that (if it turns out to have the original finish). From what the pictures show, all other things being taken into account I'd say it's probably closer to the $1200-$1400 range. Early S/42's with the strawed componants (Strawing was a sort of controlled heat discoloration of the metal into a goldish color in lieu of blueing) generally bring in a bit higher price than their all blued bretheren, but the finish on yours doesn't look all that perfect (not trying to be mean, just honest) from these pictures, and so I think a frank and honest price would be somewhere around $1300 +/-
But as you can see, I'm a bit of a newbie here, and this is only a very semi educated guess.

One lasts thing I'd like to add, is that you really, really, REALLY should do what you can to keep it. It's a family heirloom, and once it's gone, and the money pays a bill here or a car payment there, it's gone. FOREVER. Your Dad held onto it for all these years, so it clearly meant something to him. And you mentioned the fun you had shooting it with him, those memories will always be a little more "real" when you hold this piece of steel and wood. Without it they will just be memories, and even the best memories fade.
I don't know your age, or if you have any children, but even if you do, and they aren't interested in it, who's to say their kids may not one day be? Or theirs? The value on these things is only going up. The Third Reich is out of business, and won't be making any more of these. It is a family link to the most significant historical event of the last 100 years or more. And you, your kids, your grandkids can hold it, even shoot it. When it's gone, that's it...You will always be able to get more money, but you won't be able to get another "Father's" Luger. Sell the others. Keep this one, it's the one which seems to be the jewel of the collection.

Navy · 02-01-2008, 07:15 AM

"You will always be able to get more money, but you won't be able to get another "Father's" Luger. Sell the others. Keep this one, it's the one which seems to be the jewel of the collection."

Truer words were never spoken.

Tom A

Tom Whiteman · 02-01-2008, 08:00 AM

Bill, I based my comment about the gun being reblued on the fact that the safety lever, trigger and take down lever all look blued and they should be straw colored. However, as people have pointed out, it is hard to tell from photos. I would love to be wrong and to find out your gun is all original, but the blued small parts is not a good sign in my opinion. As always..... of course I could be wrong..

Bill Hibbert · 02-01-2008, 08:24 AM

Hi Tom.. I understand its hard to tell by photos.. I will be shooting a few more with the gun unassembled within the hour.. I talked to my brother this morning and he remembers the story that a nurse that my dad knew. Served over seas.. and that a german officer was shot was taken into a field hospital She found it hidden in his clothing and took it away from the injured officer. later she gave it to my father. Just to get any type of guns out of her house. I will confirm that with my mom.. if she knows. . Did an earlier post say there is a gun show.. in Allentown pa? this weekend?

CLIFTON · 02-01-2008, 08:35 AM

Bill,

Get 2007 " The blue book of gun values" and you will figure out the price.

clifton

Bill Hibbert · 02-01-2008, 09:08 AM

Well.. I took it apart.. Funny I still rememberd how to do it.. and The gun has been blued.. or at least some of the moving componets and the flat spring on the one side seem more bluish under better light.. the barrell and body of the gun do not.. but looking close like the pins they look blue. Again I am only a novice. its funny the knerelled grip to pull back does not look blued..just some smaller parts pins, flat plate/spring? on one side I will still get better photos for you to see

Bill

Bill..

Ron Smith · 02-01-2008, 11:18 AM

I'm with Clifton on this one. I don't think it's a reblue.

Ron

Ron Wood · 02-01-2008, 11:50 AM

I will chip in as another Ron that does not think it's a reblue.

Bill Hibbert · 02-01-2008, 12:00 PM

well I hope you guys are correct here are some other photos..

some of the darker photos show what I am talking about those parts have a blueish tint

Edward Tinker · 02-01-2008, 12:10 PM

Al, then my guess from last night is probably close to what it is worth.

The circled area was the one I thought looked blue-ish, now it looks fine....

Keep me in mind for the colt

LugerVern · 02-01-2008, 12:15 PM

Looks "Good" to me too!

Vern

Pete Ebbink · 02-01-2008, 01:12 PM

Did a price ever get posted for this one...?

Here are some similar offerings at Simpson LTD...keep in mind they usually are at the high-end of retail :

http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?...sort=2a&page=3

The folks at FGS have a similar offering as well on this page :

http://www.fgsfirearms.com/lugers.ph...&subcat=Mauser

Edward Tinker · 02-01-2008, 01:34 PM

I have moved this from the for sale section to the new colelctors part of the forum, once a price has been decided on, then it can be palced there.

Zamo · 02-01-2008, 01:58 PM

These pictures make it look a lot nicer than your previous pictures. That should make it worth quite a bit more.

Pete Ebbink · 02-01-2008, 02:28 PM

Bill,

The gun's overall finish is called "blue"...usually a rust blue (steam and chemical rusting process) or a dipped, salt blue process (a chemical immersion process with various chemicals at high temps)...depending on maker. year, model.

The "blue" you see on some of your gun's smaller parts are fire-blued...a heat treatment process which leaves a much brighter blue...

Strawed (or the golden colored) small parts are also done with a heat treament, only, process...similar to the fire-blue.

John Sabato · 02-01-2008, 03:52 PM

Looks like an honest (pre-hot salt) rust blued '37 S/42 to me... wish I could afford to buy it from you.

Frank · 02-01-2008, 04:51 PM

Sorry I was so late! Looks good to me too!! FWIW!!

OLDJARHEAD · 02-01-2008, 07:32 PM

If you want an auction . Put in on GunBroker.com or AuctionArms.com .

Bill Hibbert · 02-01-2008, 10:30 PM

no i am not looking to auction it off.. the people in this group have been fair with me.. I promised I would put it up here first. The problem is now . other family members have found out about it.. and causing confusion as to sell it or not and or what is a fair market price.. that is not a question for the group. I understand your just giving me information to help us sell it fairly..

02-01-2008, 01:04 AM	#22
Zamo User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 142 Thanks: 4 Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts	1937 S/42's are pretty common, for an uncommon gun "If" it hasn't been reblued, and "If" the serial numbers all match, then it becomes dependent on the remaining finish. Some of your pictures make the finish look a little tarnished, as though there's been some rust here or there. Hopefully your next set of pictures will clarify this. That could be the deciding factor on a final price. very rough ballpark until all these variables are known would be, in my less than expert opinion somewhere between $1000 and $1600 compared to other S/42's I've seen lately. As reference, a pistol that is reblued, or mismatched has little collectors value and is refered to as a "shooter" and they top out at about a grand, with some pretty nice ones selling for about $800-$900. So being as yours is all matching, it's worth at least a bit more than that (if it turns out to have the original finish). From what the pictures show, all other things being taken into account I'd say it's probably closer to the $1200-$1400 range. Early S/42's with the strawed componants (Strawing was a sort of controlled heat discoloration of the metal into a goldish color in lieu of blueing) generally bring in a bit higher price than their all blued bretheren, but the finish on yours doesn't look all that perfect (not trying to be mean, just honest) from these pictures, and so I think a frank and honest price would be somewhere around $1300 +/- But as you can see, I'm a bit of a newbie here, and this is only a very semi educated guess. One lasts thing I'd like to add, is that you really, really, REALLY should do what you can to keep it. It's a family heirloom, and once it's gone, and the money pays a bill here or a car payment there, it's gone. FOREVER. Your Dad held onto it for all these years, so it clearly meant something to him. And you mentioned the fun you had shooting it with him, those memories will always be a little more "real" when you hold this piece of steel and wood. Without it they will just be memories, and even the best memories fade. I don't know your age, or if you have any children, but even if you do, and they aren't interested in it, who's to say their kids may not one day be? Or theirs? The value on these things is only going up. The Third Reich is out of business, and won't be making any more of these. It is a family link to the most significant historical event of the last 100 years or more. And you, your kids, your grandkids can hold it, even shoot it. When it's gone, that's it...You will always be able to get more money, but you won't be able to get another "Father's" Luger. Sell the others. Keep this one, it's the one which seems to be the jewel of the collection. __________________ <INSERT WITTY SAYING HERE> My collection: http://home.comcast.net/~gunspotz/guns.htm

02-01-2008, 11:18 AM	#28
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I'm with Clifton on this one. I don't think it's a reblue. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

02-01-2008, 11:50 AM	#29
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	I will chip in as another Ron that does not think it's a reblue. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-01-2008, 12:10 PM	#31
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	Al, then my guess from last night is probably close to what it is worth. The circled area was the one I thought looked blue-ish, now it looks fine.... Keep me in mind for the colt Attached Thumbnails

02-01-2008, 01:34 PM	#34
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	I have moved this from the for sale section to the new colelctors part of the forum, once a price has been decided on, then it can be palced there. __________________ 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

02-01-2008, 12:47 AM	#21
Bill Hibbert User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Wales PA Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ok.. and a last question.. if it is original.. and not blued what is it worth.. Again.. I have taken it apart.. all numbers are the same.. other than the clip do you have a range

02-01-2008, 07:15 AM	#23
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	"You will always be able to get more money, but you won't be able to get another "Father's" Luger. Sell the others. Keep this one, it's the one which seems to be the jewel of the collection." Truer words were never spoken. Tom A

02-01-2008, 08:00 AM	#24
Tom Whiteman User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phila, PA Posts: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 28 Times in 3 Posts	Bill, I based my comment about the gun being reblued on the fact that the safety lever, trigger and take down lever all look blued and they should be straw colored. However, as people have pointed out, it is hard to tell from photos. I would love to be wrong and to find out your gun is all original, but the blued small parts is not a good sign in my opinion. As always..... of course I could be wrong..

02-01-2008, 08:24 AM	#25
Bill Hibbert User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Wales PA Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Tom.. I understand its hard to tell by photos.. I will be shooting a few more with the gun unassembled within the hour.. I talked to my brother this morning and he remembers the story that a nurse that my dad knew. Served over seas.. and that a german officer was shot was taken into a field hospital She found it hidden in his clothing and took it away from the injured officer. later she gave it to my father. Just to get any type of guns out of her house. I will confirm that with my mom.. if she knows. . Did an earlier post say there is a gun show.. in Allentown pa? this weekend?

02-01-2008, 08:35 AM	#26
CLIFTON User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA Posts: 88 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Bill, Get 2007 " The blue book of gun values" and you will figure out the price. clifton

02-01-2008, 09:08 AM	#27
Bill Hibbert User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Wales PA Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well.. I took it apart.. Funny I still rememberd how to do it.. and The gun has been blued.. or at least some of the moving componets and the flat spring on the one side seem more bluish under better light.. the barrell and body of the gun do not.. but looking close like the pins they look blue. Again I am only a novice. its funny the knerelled grip to pull back does not look blued..just some smaller parts pins, flat plate/spring? on one side I will still get better photos for you to see Bill Bill..

02-01-2008, 12:00 PM	#30
Bill Hibbert User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Wales PA Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	well I hope you guys are correct here are some other photos.. some of the darker photos show what I am talking about those parts have a blueish tint

02-01-2008, 12:15 PM	#32
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	Looks "Good" to me too! Vern

02-01-2008, 01:12 PM	#33
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Did a price ever get posted for this one...? Here are some similar offerings at Simpson LTD...keep in mind they usually are at the high-end of retail : http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?...sort=2a&page=3 The folks at FGS have a similar offering as well on this page : http://www.fgsfirearms.com/lugers.ph...&subcat=Mauser

02-01-2008, 01:58 PM	#35
Zamo User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 142 Thanks: 4 Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts	These pictures make it look a lot nicer than your previous pictures. That should make it worth quite a bit more. __________________ <INSERT WITTY SAYING HERE> My collection: http://home.comcast.net/~gunspotz/guns.htm

02-01-2008, 02:28 PM	#36
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Bill, The gun's overall finish is called "blue"...usually a rust blue (steam and chemical rusting process) or a dipped, salt blue process (a chemical immersion process with various chemicals at high temps)...depending on maker. year, model. The "blue" you see on some of your gun's smaller parts are fire-blued...a heat treatment process which leaves a much brighter blue... Strawed (or the golden colored) small parts are also done with a heat treament, only, process...similar to the fire-blue.

02-01-2008, 03:52 PM	#37
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	Looks like an honest (pre-hot salt) rust blued '37 S/42 to me... wish I could afford to buy it from you. __________________ 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..."*

02-01-2008, 04:51 PM	#38
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	Sorry I was so late! Looks good to me too!! FWIW!!

02-01-2008, 07:32 PM	#39
OLDJARHEAD User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 299 Thanks: 18 Thanked 19 Times in 9 Posts	If you want an auction . Put in on GunBroker.com or AuctionArms.com .

02-01-2008, 10:30 PM	#40
Bill Hibbert User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: North Wales PA Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	no i am not looking to auction it off.. the people in this group have been fair with me.. I promised I would put it up here first. The problem is now . other family members have found out about it.. and causing confusion as to sell it or not and or what is a fair market price.. that is not a question for the group. I understand your just giving me information to help us sell it fairly..