Help with identification please

unitedcs · 08-28-2018, 05:22 AM

Hello All, I was wondering if anyone can help with identifying this for a friend. Only one serial number located. Definitely refinished but haven't run across one that has had all the serial's buffed to the point of oblivion. Thanks

Ron Wood · 08-28-2018, 08:28 AM

That is a 1908 pattern Bulgarian, designated M11 in Bulgaria as 1911 was the date of the purchase contract. The gun has been "sanitized", i.e. all Bulgarian markings have been removed from the toggle and receiver...I can't tell from the photos whether the Cyrillic safety marking has also been removed or not.
Ron

unitedcs · 08-28-2018, 09:18 AM

Thank you Ron I’ll pass the info along. Much appreciated

Ron Wood · 08-28-2018, 10:00 AM

I just looked at the photos again and I had overlooked that the safety marking had indeed been removed. When these Bulgarian Lugers first started to come to the US in the 1960s Bulgaria was still a Communist country. So even though the guns were coming from distributors in Germany and other countries, there was still the fear by the US importers that the guns might be illegal since trade with Communist countries was prohibited. Therefore many of these Bulgarian guns were "sanitized" to remove all Bulgarian markings.
Ron

DavidJayUden · 08-28-2018, 10:16 AM

Very interesting. Thanks Ron.
dju

HerrKaiser · 08-28-2018, 10:16 AM

In which case, what would be the collector value of such a gun? Or would it pretty much be a shooter grade as a result?

John Sabato · 08-28-2018, 10:58 AM

While it's origin and history may be fascinating, with all the sanitization and buffing, the gun is simply a shooter grade Luger now... no collector value, sorry.

HerrKaiser · 08-28-2018, 11:45 AM

Although I can imagine it will make one of the better shooters out there since all the parts are original, will it not?

Edward Tinker · 08-28-2018, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HerrKaiser

Although I can imagine it will make one of the better shooters out there since all the parts are original, will it not?

how would you know that? all the numbers have been removed

the answer for what you ask is, yes

rhuff · 08-28-2018, 02:13 PM

I have to say that whoever did the "sanitizing" of this Luger, they did a pretty nice job. From what I can see, the metal shows to not be massively over buffed(unlike some that I have seen), and the bluing looks even and nice. Hopefully, it is a good shooter.

08-28-2018, 05:22 AM	#1
unitedcs User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Land O Lakes, Florida Posts: 90 Thanks: 8 Thanked 30 Times in 15 Posts	Help with identification please Hello All, I was wondering if anyone can help with identifying this for a friend. Only one serial number located. Definitely refinished but haven't run across one that has had all the serial's buffed to the point of oblivion. Thanks Attached Thumbnails

08-28-2018, 08:28 AM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,098 Times in 1,676 Posts	That is a 1908 pattern Bulgarian, designated M11 in Bulgaria as 1911 was the date of the purchase contract. The gun has been "sanitized", i.e. all Bulgarian markings have been removed from the toggle and receiver...I can't tell from the photos whether the Cyrillic safety marking has also been removed or not. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-28-2018, 10:00 AM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,098 Times in 1,676 Posts	I just looked at the photos again and I had overlooked that the safety marking had indeed been removed. When these Bulgarian Lugers first started to come to the US in the 1960s Bulgaria was still a Communist country. So even though the guns were coming from distributors in Germany and other countries, there was still the fear by the US importers that the guns might be illegal since trade with Communist countries was prohibited. Therefore many of these Bulgarian guns were "sanitized" to remove all Bulgarian markings. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-28-2018, 10:16 AM	#6
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 804 Thanks: 752 Thanked 799 Times in 378 Posts	In which case, what would be the collector value of such a gun? Or would it pretty much be a shooter grade as a result? __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

08-28-2018, 10:58 AM	#7
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	While it's origin and history may be fascinating, with all the sanitization and buffing, the gun is simply a shooter grade Luger now... no collector value, sorry. __________________ 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..."*

08-28-2018, 09:18 AM	#3
unitedcs User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Land O Lakes, Florida Posts: 90 Thanks: 8 Thanked 30 Times in 15 Posts	Thank you Ron I’ll pass the info along. Much appreciated

08-28-2018, 10:16 AM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Very interesting. Thanks Ron. dju

08-28-2018, 11:45 AM	#8
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 804 Thanks: 752 Thanked 799 Times in 378 Posts	Although I can imagine it will make one of the better shooters out there since all the parts are original, will it not? __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

08-28-2018, 02:13 PM	#10
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 2,692 Thanked 959 Times in 705 Posts	I have to say that whoever did the "sanitizing" of this Luger, they did a pretty nice job. From what I can see, the metal shows to not be massively over buffed(unlike some that I have seen), and the bluing looks even and nice. Hopefully, it is a good shooter. __________________ Need DWM breechblock #21