New Luger owner with questions...

pdx · 11-18-2012, 06:19 PM

Hello all,

I had planned on researching and having some knowledge before buying my first Luger, but circumstances threw that plan out the window. I picked up a commercial DWM in a trade at the Reno gunshow yesterday.

I’d like to get some opinions on it and if I made a reasonable deal on my trade/purchase. I traded a Walther PP that I just bought a few hours earlier for $420 and gave an addition $300 for the Luger. I checked completed sales on Gun Broker and they seem to be all over the map. I found one in much worst shape go for $1500 and one in the same or better condition sell for $550.

It looks like it was fired very little, the bore and bolt face are clean as a whistle and the rifling is more pronounced than any I’ve seen, including current production pistols. Although I have no idea how to field stripped it yet, all the numbers I can find so far match except the mag.

The serial number is 7075 and the magazine is in much worst shape so I can barely make out the serial number, but I believe it’s 7666.

I checked Dwight’s database and it shows it to be from the first or second year’s production. It also says that it’s in the series of Bannerman's Test Eagle auction list, but it’s not marked as such.

Thanks for any info!
Tom

DavidJayUden · 11-18-2012, 06:43 PM

Tom:
Welcome aboard.
9mm or .30 cal?
The grips appear to be repops. but I'm not seeing any other issues. Overall a nice gun.
I'd consider it to be a nice shooter, and I'd say you paid about ballpark on it.
Pick up a MecGar magazine and head over to the range.
dju

Dwight Gruber · 11-18-2012, 08:38 PM

Tom,

Test Eagles are Old Models (1900). Your very nice Luger's serial number is 7075n, a so-called Alphabet Commercial Luger made between the wars.

--Dwight

sheepherder · 11-18-2012, 09:45 PM

Several of our more helpful members connect to this Forum through corporate firewalls which block PhotoBucket, SmugMug, and TinyPic...

It is requested that you attach pics directly to your post via the "Manage Attachments" box below your message window...

Not that Dwight and David aren't helpful...

pdx · 11-19-2012, 12:05 AM

Thanks everyone!

Someone on another forum looked up the number in a book for me and estimates that it was built in early 1925.

They also pointed out the grips, so what are the tell-tale signs that they're repros, just their condition or something else?

And any opinions on the finish, original or not?

Tom

swampsavage · 11-19-2012, 04:05 AM

Some folks on here are very specific about abnormalities and are most helpful. Others make statements like "looks like reproduction" without any explanation. After awhile you sort out the ones that are worth listening to.

alanint · 11-19-2012, 05:58 AM

From pure observation the grips look ok to me. They match the overall condition of the pistol and the fit and checkering looks correct as well.

Early Alphabet Commercials tend to have nicer wood than the military pistols.
There should be some markings inside but if you decide to remove the grips, do the right grip only. This will allow you to see any markings and to read the left grip's markings through the pistol frame. The fit around that safety is too nice to risk chipping the left grip upon removal.
I'm betting they are original grips.

glock30 · 11-19-2012, 11:45 AM

Mine is serial 9025n , still waiting to see a 9000n ,

DavidJayUden · 11-19-2012, 12:37 PM

Maybe I'm all wet on the grips, but to me they scream reproduction. I'm judging them by the courseness of the checkering (LPI) and also that they look rounded, more "barrel shaped" than originals.
But I'll be interested to see what is on the back side, and also what others think.
'Been wrong before and I'll be wrong again...'
dju

Dwight Gruber · 11-19-2012, 12:44 PM

Based on your pnotos, I think there is as strong liklihood that the finish is original.

--Dwight

lugersrkewl · 11-19-2012, 07:42 PM

thats some nice yellowing on the safety and trigger too...mighty fine

MFC · 11-20-2012, 01:59 AM

Alphabet commercials usually have blank grips... no inspector marks or numbers.

Douglas Jr. · 11-20-2012, 06:48 PM

The halo around the serial number under the barrel is a good tip about the originality of its finish. You can get better pictures taking photos in an outdoor enviroment, in indirect sunlight, without flash lights.
I think you did well for your first Luger.

Douglas.

pdx · 11-20-2012, 11:32 PM

I pulled the right grip off tonight and there's no marking on either side. Unless I find out otherwise, I'm assuming it's all original...

DavidJayUden · 11-21-2012, 06:52 AM

I think that is a false assumption, but...
dju

pdx · 11-21-2012, 06:29 PM

I'm willing to be proven otherwise, where do I go from here for an accurate determination?

DavidJayUden · 11-21-2012, 06:43 PM

I'd suggest that you take the grips off and give us some very good close-up photos of them, front, backs, sides, markings, top edges of both, etc.
I'm surprised that more experienced collectors haven't weighed in on these grips, yes or no. Hopefully there will be more opinions offered.
And Happy Thanksgiving to all!
dju

TooTech · 12-14-2012, 03:32 PM

The safety lever looks blued. Is that due to a bad photo? If it's blued would that be correct?

Even though I'm still a student at Luger U, I think the checkering on the grips suggests that they are repros. Signs of age on the backside could convince me otherwise.

mrerick · 12-14-2012, 09:15 PM

Most likely the photo. The safety lever is strawed on this Luger.

Marc

11-18-2012, 06:19 PM	#1
pdx User Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Luger owner with questions... Hello all, I had planned on researching and having some knowledge before buying my first Luger, but circumstances threw that plan out the window. I picked up a commercial DWM in a trade at the Reno gunshow yesterday. I’d like to get some opinions on it and if I made a reasonable deal on my trade/purchase. I traded a Walther PP that I just bought a few hours earlier for $420 and gave an addition $300 for the Luger. I checked completed sales on Gun Broker and they seem to be all over the map. I found one in much worst shape go for $1500 and one in the same or better condition sell for $550. It looks like it was fired very little, the bore and bolt face are clean as a whistle and the rifling is more pronounced than any I’ve seen, including current production pistols. Although I have no idea how to field stripped it yet, all the numbers I can find so far match except the mag. The serial number is 7075 and the magazine is in much worst shape so I can barely make out the serial number, but I believe it’s 7666. I checked Dwight’s database and it shows it to be from the first or second year’s production. It also says that it’s in the series of Bannerman's Test Eagle auction list, but it’s not marked as such. Thanks for any info! Tom

11-18-2012, 09:45 PM	#4
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	Several of our more helpful members connect to this Forum through corporate firewalls which block PhotoBucket, SmugMug, and TinyPic... It is requested that you attach pics directly to your post via the "Manage Attachments" box below your message window... Not that Dwight and David aren't helpful... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

11-19-2012, 04:05 AM	#6
swampsavage User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Jackson County, GA Posts: 43 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Some folks on here are very specific about abnormalities and are most helpful. Others make statements like "looks like reproduction" without any explanation. After awhile you sort out the ones that are worth listening to. __________________ John

11-20-2012, 01:59 AM	#12
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Alphabet commercials usually have blank grips... no inspector marks or numbers. __________________ Mike C.

12-14-2012, 09:15 PM	#19
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Most likely the photo. The safety lever is strawed on this Luger. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

11-18-2012, 06:43 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Tom: Welcome aboard. 9mm or .30 cal? The grips appear to be repops. but I'm not seeing any other issues. Overall a nice gun. I'd consider it to be a nice shooter, and I'd say you paid about ballpark on it. Pick up a MecGar magazine and head over to the range. dju

11-18-2012, 08:38 PM	#3
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Tom, Test Eagles are Old Models (1900). Your very nice Luger's serial number is 7075n, a so-called Alphabet Commercial Luger made between the wars. --Dwight

11-19-2012, 12:05 AM	#5
pdx User Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks everyone! Someone on another forum looked up the number in a book for me and estimates that it was built in early 1925. They also pointed out the grips, so what are the tell-tale signs that they're repros, just their condition or something else? And any opinions on the finish, original or not? Tom

11-19-2012, 05:58 AM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	From pure observation the grips look ok to me. They match the overall condition of the pistol and the fit and checkering looks correct as well. Early Alphabet Commercials tend to have nicer wood than the military pistols. There should be some markings inside but if you decide to remove the grips, do the right grip only. This will allow you to see any markings and to read the left grip's markings through the pistol frame. The fit around that safety is too nice to risk chipping the left grip upon removal. I'm betting they are original grips.

11-19-2012, 11:45 AM	#8
glock30 User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Obama LAND Posts: 206 Thanks: 18 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Mine is serial 9025n , still waiting to see a 9000n ,

11-19-2012, 12:37 PM	#9
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Maybe I'm all wet on the grips, but to me they scream reproduction. I'm judging them by the courseness of the checkering (LPI) and also that they look rounded, more "barrel shaped" than originals. But I'll be interested to see what is on the back side, and also what others think. 'Been wrong before and I'll be wrong again...' dju

11-19-2012, 12:44 PM	#10
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Based on your pnotos, I think there is as strong liklihood that the finish is original. --Dwight

11-19-2012, 07:42 PM	#11
lugersrkewl Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ussr Posts: 425 Thanks: 198 Thanked 75 Times in 58 Posts	thats some nice yellowing on the safety and trigger too...mighty fine

11-20-2012, 06:48 PM	#13
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	The halo around the serial number under the barrel is a good tip about the originality of its finish. You can get better pictures taking photos in an outdoor enviroment, in indirect sunlight, without flash lights. I think you did well for your first Luger. Douglas.

11-20-2012, 11:32 PM	#14
pdx User Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I pulled the right grip off tonight and there's no marking on either side. Unless I find out otherwise, I'm assuming it's all original...

11-21-2012, 06:52 AM	#15
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I think that is a false assumption, but... dju

11-21-2012, 06:29 PM	#16
pdx User Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm willing to be proven otherwise, where do I go from here for an accurate determination?

11-21-2012, 06:43 PM	#17
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'd suggest that you take the grips off and give us some very good close-up photos of them, front, backs, sides, markings, top edges of both, etc. I'm surprised that more experienced collectors haven't weighed in on these grips, yes or no. Hopefully there will be more opinions offered. And Happy Thanksgiving to all! dju

12-14-2012, 03:32 PM	#18
TooTech User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 23 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The safety lever looks blued. Is that due to a bad photo? If it's blued would that be correct? Even though I'm still a student at Luger U, I think the checkering on the grips suggests that they are repros. Signs of age on the backside could convince me otherwise.