Navy Luger

[rpbcps]

As Tom Armstrong said in his sticky 'Navy Luger Inspections',
"Because of their great rarity and sky high prices, 1903 Navy prototypes and 1904 Navies fall into an entirely separate category and anyone contemplating such an acquisition should exercise all of the caution and due diligence requisite for a purchase that equates in cost to a luxury automobile".
Even here in the UK, a deactivated Navy Luger, the only way we can own one, due to our draconian gun laws, costs a kings fortune, but I'd love to add one to my collection.
I noticed one recently on the web, but due to past experience, I am always very cautious, so I thought I'd pass this by your expertise in the subject, for your opinions, real or fake?
Photos below.

The cross swords in the UK deactivation mark and the letters EU/GB etc. on the left hand side of the trigger frame above the pistol grip are the European Union deactivation mark, loads of letters....
Thanks
Richard

[George Anderson]

Looks legitimate. But it's what collectors call a 1906 model Navy.

[rpbcps]

Thanks,
In my collection I already have a couple of Dutch DWM contract 1906 Lugers.

[Norme]

Hi Richard,
I track Imperial Navy Lugers and maintain a data base, if you would like a link to the Navy List send me a PM with your internet address.
1906 Navy #4361a is a known gun, it was sold by Hermann Historica back in April 2016. I don't believe it was deactivated at that time.
Regards, Norm

[Jack Lawman]

Originally Posted by Norme

1906 Navy #4361a is a known gun...
Regards, Norm

Looks like 4316

[Norme]

Sorry about the confusion Jack, but this is the same gun sold by Hermann Historica in Germany, identifiable by the unit mark, I.T.D./530. They listed it as 4361a but you're quite right, it's 4316a.
Regards, Norm

[rpbcps]

Norme,
The dealer does import weapons from Europe, so perhaps he bought it from Hermann Historica in Germany. Do you know what date it was reported at Hermann Historica? The cross swords deactivated mark indicates it was deactivated in the UK in 2016.

I was looking on line for photos of examples of property markings to see if the fonts used for I.T.D./530 are the same, but there is different fonts/ styles used on examples I found.

The dealer has another Navy Luger on his website, with a 1915 chamber date, hence my suspicions the example in the photos may not be what it appears to be too.

[Norme]

Hi Richard,
1906 Navy #4316a looks like a legitimate gun although it's been re-blued over pitting and, of course, the deactivation is the kiss of death, at least here in the US.
It was listed in HH's April 2016 catalog and I'm pretty sure you can access it on line and see the original listing with photos.
Regards, Norm

[rpbcps]

Originally Posted by Norme

Hi Richard,
1906 Navy #4316a looks like a legitimate gun although it's been re-blued over pitting and, of course, the deactivation is the kiss of death, at least here in the US.
It was listed in HH's April 2016 catalog and I'm pretty sure you can access it on line and see the original listing with photos.
Regards, Norm

Thanks Norm,
Appreciate the feedback and I'll try to access the HH catalog today sometime.
Thanks also for the Navy List, very interesting and a lot of fakes out there!

All the best
Richard

[m1903a3]

Originally Posted by rpbcps

Norme,

<snip>

The dealer has another Navy Luger on his website, with a 1915 chamber date, hence my suspicions the example in the photos may not be what it appears to be too.

How about a link to his website. I'm curious what a 1915 dated Navy looks like!