Luger I.D. help

Ron-E · 12-03-2012, 02:08 AM

Found a few Lugers in a local gun shop the other day. One interesting one that caught my eye was a 9mm with a six inch barrel, palm safety, and adjustable rear toggle sight. Adjustable for elevation only. All matching number and what looks to be original blue finish. No chamber date but does have the number "100" stamped on the top of the rear toggle train. Is this a commercial Luger or some type of military contract?

alanint · 12-03-2012, 05:50 AM

This sounds like a Navy luger. Go to the Navy Luger section and look for some photos there.

What were they asking on this pistol?

Norme · 12-03-2012, 08:49 AM

Hi Ron, As Alan has said, the gun you saw is almost certainly a rare and very collectible Imperial Navy Luger, in this case the 1906 model. I maintain a data base of these guns and would very much like to know the following:
1/ What is the serial number, including the suffix (if present)?
2/ Is there a unit marking on the rear grip strap, and if so what is it?
3/ Is the Gesichert marking inscribed in the upper or lower position?
4/ Does this gun have a matching number magazine?
Regards, Norm

Edward Tinker · 12-03-2012, 09:20 AM

Before just buying, unless it is a shooter price, and we have no idea where you live, so prices may vary; it could be a parts gun...

So, if a higher price, get info, post pictures here on the forum, etc.

Ron-E · 12-03-2012, 11:01 AM

From pictures in the Navy section this Luger looks to be a 1906 model.

To answer Norms questions:

1. Best I can remember "1710 a"

2. Do not recall seeing any.

3. & 4. do not remember.

Will have to reinspect for these details.

This looks like someones collection because there were 2 artillery Lugers with this on also.

Asking price is $5500. This shop is mostly a consignment shop so my guess is these are someones collection they are liquidating.

Shop is located in the Sacramento CA area.

Norme · 12-03-2012, 11:51 AM

Hi Ron, If the gun's number is 1710a it would be a new listing. If all numbered parts match, and if the finish is all original and 95% or better, it might be worth close to $5,000.00. If it's unit marked and/or the safety is unaltered (Gesichert in the lower position), then a few hundred dollars more. If it has a correct Navy magazine numbered to the gun, then perhaps a couple of thousand more. Keep us posted!
Regards, Norm

Ron-E · 12-03-2012, 12:06 PM

Only markings that I remember are what look like proof markings on the side of the (upper frame?) where the barrel screws in. How do you tell if the magazine is "Navy" marked, other than the serial number on the base?

I read about some of the Navy Lugers with "modified safeties" in the Navy section. What is the story on the modification with these?

alanint · 12-03-2012, 12:19 PM

The safety lever was modified so the safety would be on when the lever was pushed down, rather than up, as it was manufactured originally.

The first clue to an original Navy magazine, other than the markings, are concentric circles cut into the magazine's pull knobs.

12-03-2012, 02:08 AM	#1
Ron-E User Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 13 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	Luger I.D. help Found a few Lugers in a local gun shop the other day. One interesting one that caught my eye was a 9mm with a six inch barrel, palm safety, and adjustable rear toggle sight. Adjustable for elevation only. All matching number and what looks to be original blue finish. No chamber date but does have the number "100" stamped on the top of the rear toggle train. Is this a commercial Luger or some type of military contract?

12-03-2012, 09:20 AM	#4
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	Before just buying, unless it is a shooter price, and we have no idea where you live, so prices may vary; it could be a parts gun... So, if a higher price, get info, post pictures here on the forum, etc. __________________ 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

12-03-2012, 11:01 AM	#5
Ron-E User Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 13 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	1906 Navy From pictures in the Navy section this Luger looks to be a 1906 model. To answer Norms questions: 1. Best I can remember "1710 a" 2. Do not recall seeing any. 3. & 4. do not remember. Will have to reinspect for these details. This looks like someones collection because there were 2 artillery Lugers with this on also. Asking price is $5500. This shop is mostly a consignment shop so my guess is these are someones collection they are liquidating. Shop is located in the Sacramento CA area.

12-03-2012, 12:06 PM	#7
Ron-E User Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 13 Thanks: 4 Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post	1906 Navy Only markings that I remember are what look like proof markings on the side of the (upper frame?) where the barrel screws in. How do you tell if the magazine is "Navy" marked, other than the serial number on the base? I read about some of the Navy Lugers with "modified safeties" in the Navy section. What is the story on the modification with these?

12-03-2012, 05:50 AM	#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	This sounds like a Navy luger. Go to the Navy Luger section and look for some photos there. What were they asking on this pistol?

12-03-2012, 08:49 AM	#3
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	Hi Ron, As Alan has said, the gun you saw is almost certainly a rare and very collectible Imperial Navy Luger, in this case the 1906 model. I maintain a data base of these guns and would very much like to know the following: 1/ What is the serial number, including the suffix (if present)? 2/ Is there a unit marking on the rear grip strap, and if so what is it? 3/ Is the Gesichert marking inscribed in the upper or lower position? 4/ Does this gun have a matching number magazine? Regards, Norm

12-03-2012, 11:51 AM	#6
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	Hi Ron, If the gun's number is 1710a it would be a new listing. If all numbered parts match, and if the finish is all original and 95% or better, it might be worth close to $5,000.00. If it's unit marked and/or the safety is unaltered (Gesichert in the lower position), then a few hundred dollars more. If it has a correct Navy magazine numbered to the gun, then perhaps a couple of thousand more. Keep us posted! Regards, Norm

12-03-2012, 12:19 PM	#8
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 safety lever was modified so the safety would be on when the lever was pushed down, rather than up, as it was manufactured originally. The first clue to an original Navy magazine, other than the markings, are concentric circles cut into the magazine's pull knobs.