Luger originality question

idsa · 08-24-2012, 11:15 AM

Hello, new to your site and glad to have found it.

I have just purchased my first P-08 after of about 30 years of fascination and history behind the piece.

I have a 1938 Mauser S42 w/97% bluing, excellent grips all numbers matching with the exception of the mag and the hold open lever.

Despite the fact that I was told all numbers matched except the mag.

This maybe a sensitive question given the potentially fraudulent practicing that could evolve but for my own pistol to have the hold open lever match the rest of the gun for my own reasons of originality.

Please don't tar and feather me just tell me to let well enough alone and chalk it up to experience in buying over internet.

Thanks

alanint · 08-24-2012, 12:57 PM

The practice of trying to restore a minor mismatched part is generally accepted, as long as you make this known to a prospective buyer and the part is correct for the manufacturer and year.

With a Muaser pistol, there is a good chance someone here like Tom Heller might have a properly numbered hold open. Advertise what you are looking for in the WTB section and offer your numbered hold open for trade or purchase.

Good luck

Edward Tinker · 08-24-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

The practice of trying to restore a minor mismatched part is generally accepted, as long as you make this known to a prospective buyer and the part is correct for the manufacturer and year.

hmmmm, I would not say that it is 'generally accepted", but I think what Doug meant was this;

Strawing
Fixing grips
adding a period part by finding one or a armorers replacement part

Sure, those are generally accepted, but not to renumber a part

idsa · 08-24-2012, 01:54 PM

Thanks, no plans for resale. but the advice is good to know.

MikeP · 08-25-2012, 07:44 AM

Restrawing or noticably fixed or scrubbed grips are deal breakers for me.

On numbered mall parts, it would be basically un noticable.

Others are obvious due to finish differences.

mrerick · 08-25-2012, 09:16 AM

Hi Todd, and welcome to the forum.

As you can see, opinions about this issue vary with individual collectors.

The principle here is to keep documentation of what you have done to improve your Luger; keep the original parts that came with it and disclose this accurately should you ever want to sell it. The buyer will make up their own mind about the pistol's value, and offer you a price accordingly.

It's important to keep documentation in case you are not the one that ends up selling the pistol (your estate, etc...)...

Marc

idsa · 08-25-2012, 11:19 AM

Marc,

Thanks for the info. I don't believe I will do any changes to numbered components. I also a am stickler for originality.

It is such nice condition in the first place, I will leave it alone
and just enjoy it.

ithacaartist · 08-25-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idsa

It is such nice condition in the first place, I will leave it alone
and just enjoy it.

A good choice, in that if you decide to change something about it later, you can. Rule of thumb. it is not possible to un-do changes to the gun (except parts changes) once executed, so these are best very well-considered beforehand.

RJS · 08-25-2012, 03:53 PM

Todd-

I have a spare holdopen latch stamped #49 if that is the number you need.

idsa · 08-26-2012, 06:17 AM

Thanks for the offer, only off by 20. mine is serial ends in #96

What I could use is a reliable magazine, not original numbered but but it has all the period proofings- the eagle proofs with the 69 under it, serial # and a plus sign. It is proving to be difficult to install and remove. Seems to hang up up near the top of the mag chamber. Would like to test fire it but would prefer not to have series of jams during firing.

Any recommendations?

Edward Tinker · 08-26-2012, 08:25 AM

yes, buy a mec-gar, they almost always work well

otherwise, if originality is your driver, then find a period magazine by looking in the for sale here, ebay and gunbroker

you won't find a 69 one, not sure what that means if not the serial number - if aluminum than it would be either eagle 63 or eagle 83

Keep in mind that if you break a numbered part, it loses between 1/2 and 2/3'rds of its value

Greg B. · 09-03-2012, 03:45 PM

If you are looking for a magazine the following may be of assistance:

1) GT who posts on this forum can rebuild or possibly supply a correct mag.

2) Lugerdoc who posts on this forum may have a period correct mag.

08-24-2012, 11:15 AM	#1
idsa User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Luger originality question Hello, new to your site and glad to have found it. I have just purchased my first P-08 after of about 30 years of fascination and history behind the piece. I have a 1938 Mauser S42 w/97% bluing, excellent grips all numbers matching with the exception of the mag and the hold open lever. Despite the fact that I was told all numbers matched except the mag. This maybe a sensitive question given the potentially fraudulent practicing that could evolve but for my own pistol to have the hold open lever match the rest of the gun for my own reasons of originality. Please don't tar and feather me just tell me to let well enough alone and chalk it up to experience in buying over internet. Thanks

08-25-2012, 09:16 AM	#6
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	Hi Todd, and welcome to the forum. As you can see, opinions about this issue vary with individual collectors. The principle here is to keep documentation of what you have done to improve your Luger; keep the original parts that came with it and disclose this accurately should you ever want to sell it. The buyer will make up their own mind about the pistol's value, and offer you a price accordingly. It's important to keep documentation in case you are not the one that ends up selling the pistol (your estate, etc...)... Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-24-2012, 12:57 PM	#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	The practice of trying to restore a minor mismatched part is generally accepted, as long as you make this known to a prospective buyer and the part is correct for the manufacturer and year. With a Muaser pistol, there is a good chance someone here like Tom Heller might have a properly numbered hold open. Advertise what you are looking for in the WTB section and offer your numbered hold open for trade or purchase. Good luck

08-24-2012, 01:54 PM	#4
idsa User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, no plans for resale. but the advice is good to know.

08-25-2012, 07:44 AM	#5
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Restrawing or noticably fixed or scrubbed grips are deal breakers for me. On numbered mall parts, it would be basically un noticable. Others are obvious due to finish differences.

08-25-2012, 11:19 AM	#7
idsa User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Marc, Thanks for the info. I don't believe I will do any changes to numbered components. I also a am stickler for originality. It is such nice condition in the first place, I will leave it alone and just enjoy it.

08-25-2012, 03:53 PM	#9
RJS User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 45 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Todd- I have a spare holdopen latch stamped #49 if that is the number you need.

08-26-2012, 06:17 AM	#10
idsa User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the offer, only off by 20. mine is serial ends in #96 What I could use is a reliable magazine, not original numbered but but it has all the period proofings- the eagle proofs with the 69 under it, serial # and a plus sign. It is proving to be difficult to install and remove. Seems to hang up up near the top of the mag chamber. Would like to test fire it but would prefer not to have series of jams during firing. Any recommendations?

08-26-2012, 08:25 AM	#11
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	yes, buy a mec-gar, they almost always work well otherwise, if originality is your driver, then find a period magazine by looking in the for sale here, ebay and gunbroker you won't find a 69 one, not sure what that means if not the serial number - if aluminum than it would be either eagle 63 or eagle 83 Keep in mind that if you break a numbered part, it loses between 1/2 and 2/3'rds of its value

09-03-2012, 03:45 PM	#12
Greg B. User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 34 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	If you are looking for a magazine the following may be of assistance: 1) GT who posts on this forum can rebuild or possibly supply a correct mag. 2) Lugerdoc who posts on this forum may have a period correct mag.