Challenge for the Luger collectors

wworker · 08-20-2005, 06:13 PM

I'm trying to use deductive reasoning to see if I can figure out what this Luger is and how much it would be worth. This is the only photo provided from a seller, obviously a person who is either hiding something or is inexperienced.

There isn't much to go by in the photo, but I would say that this Luger predates WWII based on the straw colors.

The magazine provides a clue with the wooden bottom, but I'm not 100% sure of that correlation. I think this is another hint that this Luger is most likely a DWM or a Erfurt.

It doesn't have a sear safety, so it's not likely to be police issue.

There is blue wear on the side plate, so the finish should be original.

I don't see any serial numbers on the side, so this Luger is likely to be a commercial 30 caliber.

The grip doesn't appear to have the customary piece missing from under the safety, a plus.

With what I see here, I would say this Luger's value would be between $500 to $800 depending on whether or not the serial numbers match.

I know this is all speculation, but hey, it's been fun.

Edward Tinker · 08-20-2005, 11:23 PM

Ken, fairly good deductions, if it is 7.65 mm (30 luger), I would say the value is $400-$500, as they are fairly plentiful and also least valuable of all lugers on the market, even 9mm's shooters are wanted faster than a fairly nice 30 luger.

Ed

jamese · 08-21-2005, 03:08 AM

Ken,
if you could post some beter photos, one can give you a better idea on value

wworker · 08-21-2005, 07:46 AM

Actually I can't post any more photos as this one was the only one provided at an auction.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=36238735

This is the vaguest auction I have even seen.

Oh, by the way, the seller has added 9mm to the title.

Pete Ebbink · 09-05-2005, 11:23 AM

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?item=36238735

drbuster · 09-05-2005, 01:01 PM

Moot point, the bidding is over. No more pictures have been posted, no new info to base any discussion on.

wworker · 09-11-2005, 04:29 PM

I've got an auction question now.

I'm a member in another C&R forum and auctions are taboo. Auctions are not to be listed or discussed in that forum.

What is the rule in the Luger forum about auctions?

John Sabato · 09-11-2005, 07:39 PM

We have classified ads here for free, but we request that you post your asking price, not request that folks make an offer. Decide what you think your item is worth and post it for sale. If you must use an auction format, please use one of the commercial gun auction sites.

Our service here is to provide a means of communication between serious collectors and Luger enthusiasts, not to engage in a commercial environment. Auctions can tend to be cutthroat in nature... let's keep that outside the forum...

drbuster · 09-11-2005, 07:39 PM

wworker, auctions are discussed frequently on this Forum. Why would discussing them be taboo? The information exchanged is enlightening and usually a learning experience for all. What good would Forums be if they were censored in some fashion (of course foul language or delibrerate libelous remarks should not be allowed)?

wworker · 09-11-2005, 08:27 PM

John, I didn't mean that I wanted to put an auction in the forum for an item, but as drbuster has put it, I was already speaking of the external auctions.

drbuster, in some forums, auction discussions are taboo for various reasons one of which is that by posting a link to an auction, the posting person would possibly be creating competition for the item for themselves.

Since asking about auctions is not forbidden here, I would like to ask more questions about them in the future.

Sometimes I wonder why certain Lugers do not sell in the auctions like AA or GB. I've learned how to see the history on those repetitive auctions that keep relisting and I surmise that the general Luger collector knows better to buy on the items that are overpriced, fakes, or re-blued. I am learning that black widows are not always real, but plain Lugers with replacement grips.

Personally, I've run into a few unscrupluous dealers who will say anything or post poor photos to sell. On the other hand, I also am accumulating a knowledge of good dealers and/or collectors who are reputable and good sources.

Here's a current auction in GB. Any opinions?
I'm not bidding on this by the way.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=37198187

Pete Ebbink · 09-11-2005, 09:40 PM

Maybe this link will work :

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?item=37198187

Doug G. · 09-11-2005, 11:10 PM

Magazine has been ground and matching numbers added in the wrong size and the "0" is out of alignment. Mag bottom does not have any proofs and it should if it originally came with a 1939 dated pistol. It also appears to be a nickle plated mag tube(should be blued). From the rest of the pics it does not look too bad. Would be a good buy at $7-800.

08-20-2005, 06:13 PM	#1
wworker User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Challenge for the Luger collectors I'm trying to use deductive reasoning to see if I can figure out what this Luger is and how much it would be worth. This is the only photo provided from a seller, obviously a person who is either hiding something or is inexperienced. There isn't much to go by in the photo, but I would say that this Luger predates WWII based on the straw colors. The magazine provides a clue with the wooden bottom, but I'm not 100% sure of that correlation. I think this is another hint that this Luger is most likely a DWM or a Erfurt. It doesn't have a sear safety, so it's not likely to be police issue. There is blue wear on the side plate, so the finish should be original. I don't see any serial numbers on the side, so this Luger is likely to be a commercial 30 caliber. The grip doesn't appear to have the customary piece missing from under the safety, a plus. With what I see here, I would say this Luger's value would be between $500 to $800 depending on whether or not the serial numbers match. I know this is all speculation, but hey, it's been fun.

08-21-2005, 03:08 AM	#3
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 789 Thanks: 0 Thanked 84 Times in 34 Posts	Ken, if you could post some beter photos, one can give you a better idea on value __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

09-11-2005, 07:39 PM	#8
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	We have classified ads here for free, but we request that you post your asking price, not request that folks make an offer. Decide what you think your item is worth and post it for sale. If you must use an auction format, please use one of the commercial gun auction sites. Our service here is to provide a means of communication between serious collectors and Luger enthusiasts, not to engage in a commercial environment. Auctions can tend to be cutthroat in nature... let's keep that outside the forum... __________________ 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..."*

08-20-2005, 11:23 PM	#2
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	Ken, fairly good deductions, if it is 7.65 mm (30 luger), I would say the value is $400-$500, as they are fairly plentiful and also least valuable of all lugers on the market, even 9mm's shooters are wanted faster than a fairly nice 30 luger. Ed

08-21-2005, 07:46 AM	#4
wworker User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Actually I can't post any more photos as this one was the only one provided at an auction. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=36238735 This is the vaguest auction I have even seen. Oh, by the way, the seller has added 9mm to the title.

09-05-2005, 11:23 AM	#5
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?item=36238735

09-05-2005, 01:01 PM	#6
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Moot point, the bidding is over. No more pictures have been posted, no new info to base any discussion on.

09-11-2005, 04:29 PM	#7
wworker User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've got an auction question now. I'm a member in another C&R forum and auctions are taboo. Auctions are not to be listed or discussed in that forum. What is the rule in the Luger forum about auctions?

09-11-2005, 08:27 PM	#10
wworker User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	John, I didn't mean that I wanted to put an auction in the forum for an item, but as drbuster has put it, I was already speaking of the external auctions. drbuster, in some forums, auction discussions are taboo for various reasons one of which is that by posting a link to an auction, the posting person would possibly be creating competition for the item for themselves. Since asking about auctions is not forbidden here, I would like to ask more questions about them in the future. Sometimes I wonder why certain Lugers do not sell in the auctions like AA or GB. I've learned how to see the history on those repetitive auctions that keep relisting and I surmise that the general Luger collector knows better to buy on the items that are overpriced, fakes, or re-blued. I am learning that black widows are not always real, but plain Lugers with replacement grips. Personally, I've run into a few unscrupluous dealers who will say anything or post poor photos to sell. On the other hand, I also am accumulating a knowledge of good dealers and/or collectors who are reputable and good sources. Here's a current auction in GB. Any opinions? I'm not bidding on this by the way. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=37198187

09-11-2005, 09:40 PM	#11
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Maybe this link will work : http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?item=37198187

09-11-2005, 11:10 PM	#12
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	Magazine has been ground and matching numbers added in the wrong size and the "0" is out of alignment. Mag bottom does not have any proofs and it should if it originally came with a 1939 dated pistol. It also appears to be a nickle plated mag tube(should be blued). From the rest of the pics it does not look too bad. Would be a good buy at $7-800.