Bulgarian Luger ?

jayc14943 · 12-31-2006, 01:01 AM

I hope I have the correct Topic for this forum for my question if not please forgive me. I am looking at a Luger in a local estate it is listed as a Bulgarian Luger but I know nothing about them and could not find info on the net . Any help her would be great . My questions are is this a bulgarian and if so what would be a average price for a gun like this . The gun is not matching but in pretty good overall condition .

jayc14943 · 12-31-2006, 01:02 AM

Here is a picture of the crest on the chamber I think I can get this gun for $1500.

Edward Tinker · 12-31-2006, 01:04 AM

more pictures and information jay;

serial number, proofs, etc.

At first glance it appears to be a Bulgarian... Does the loaded indicator have cyrilic writing? I assume the lanyard loop (which on a bulgarian would be on the lower part of the grip strap, underneath the area of a stock lug).

What ELSE is in this estate? Any Simson or S toggle guns?

ed

Dwight Gruber · 12-31-2006, 04:04 AM

Jay,

Bulgarian contract Lugers encompass three different models: 1900, 1906, and 1908. The 1900 and 1906 Bulgarians are representitive of their type, including grip safeties and standard rear-frame lanyard staple. They are marked with DWM on the center toggle link and the Bulgarian Royal crest on the chamber. These guns were supplied in caliber.30 Luger, although many of those in service were eventually rebarrelled to 9mm.

The 1908 Bulgarian are representitive of the 1908 type, in 9mm and without grip safety, but with some unique characteristics. These guns have no lanyard staple, but instead have a lanyard loop at the bottom of the rear grip strap. On these guns the DWM hallmark is stamped over the chamber, and the center toggle is stamped with the Bulgarian Rampant Lion crest.

Here is a picture of the top of a 1908 Bulgarian,

and a link to a discussion with more pictures

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...ight=bulgarian

The Luger you present appears to be a 1908 Bulgarian frame, with a 9mm rebarrelled 1906 receiver and toggle assembly. The service life of Bulgarian Lugers was arduous, and it is within the realm of possibility that this combination was assembled in a Bulgarian armory. This supposition cannot be confirmed, and rests in the realm of WAG speculation.

--Dwight

drbuster · 12-31-2006, 10:08 AM

Jay, Dwight has posted very good information on the three known Bulgarian variants. The piece you have been offered shares features of two of those models. The frame, at least, looks re-blued to me. Such lugers that have been cannabalized and reworked are of considerably less interest to collectors. The $1500 asking price is at the top of the range for this particular piece, in my opinion.

jayc14943 · 12-31-2006, 11:20 AM

Guys thanks for the info . The gun has a serial number of 665 . SOunds like this is not a very good example of a Bulgarian . I wish I could show to some one in person as I think my pictures are not helping . There is a hole for a lanyard but no lanyard and no stock lug the only other markings on the gun are on the right rear I have attached a picture of them. I am selling the entire Estate for the family and was considering keeping this gun. I think I may just let it go . Do we know what year this would be.
There is only one other luger in the estate and I have not looked it over all I know is it is a 5-6 inch barrel gun with no arty sights . I saw it in a box but did not look any closer . I had over 70 guns and a total of 4 lugers but could not find one good one to keep .

jayc14943 · 12-31-2006, 11:21 AM

another poor picture sorry the one mark looks like a 20 inside a double box

Ron Wood · 12-31-2006, 11:29 AM

I would agree with Dwight's WAG speculation. It very likely is the result of salvaging workable parts by the Bulgarian armorers to keep a pistol in service. Regardless, it is a neat assembly of authentic Bulgarian Luger parts. The crest on the '06 upper is nice and sharp and overall the gun is in pretty good shape for a Bulgarian. It has been reblued. If you can afford it I think it is an OK way to spend $1500. You won't come across an '06, even in this configuration, very often...they are scarce.

Hugh · 12-31-2006, 03:24 PM

Jay,
If you don't buy it for $1500, I'll take it.

hhclark@wildblue.net

MFC · 12-31-2006, 11:31 PM

Jay,
I'd be interested in the 5-6 inch barrel luger.
Mike C.

jayc14943 · 01-01-2007, 03:44 PM

I do not have the other luger at home and will not be at my shop until Wend . I will get some pic's then and post them . I may have to put these on gunbroker That was the agreement I made with the Family was to Auction all the guns to get the most out of them . I have the chance to buy a few for my self but think I will pass on the lugers .

Jay

12-31-2006, 01:01 AM	#1
jayc14943 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bulgarian Luger ? I hope I have the correct Topic for this forum for my question if not please forgive me. I am looking at a Luger in a local estate it is listed as a Bulgarian Luger but I know nothing about them and could not find info on the net . Any help her would be great . My questions are is this a bulgarian and if so what would be a average price for a gun like this . The gun is not matching but in pretty good overall condition . Attached Thumbnails

12-31-2006, 01:02 AM	#2
jayc14943 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another picture Here is a picture of the crest on the chamber I think I can get this gun for $1500. Attached Thumbnails

12-31-2006, 01:04 AM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,992 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	more pictures and information jay; serial number, proofs, etc. At first glance it appears to be a Bulgarian... Does the loaded indicator have cyrilic writing? I assume the lanyard loop (which on a bulgarian would be on the lower part of the grip strap, underneath the area of a stock lug). What ELSE is in this estate? Any Simson or S toggle guns? ed __________________ 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

12-31-2006, 11:20 AM	#6
jayc14943 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Guys thanks for the info . The gun has a serial number of 665 . SOunds like this is not a very good example of a Bulgarian . I wish I could show to some one in person as I think my pictures are not helping . There is a hole for a lanyard but no lanyard and no stock lug the only other markings on the gun are on the right rear I have attached a picture of them. I am selling the entire Estate for the family and was considering keeping this gun. I think I may just let it go . Do we know what year this would be. There is only one other luger in the estate and I have not looked it over all I know is it is a 5-6 inch barrel gun with no arty sights . I saw it in a box but did not look any closer . I had over 70 guns and a total of 4 lugers but could not find one good one to keep . Attached Thumbnails

12-31-2006, 11:29 AM	#8
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 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	I would agree with Dwight's WAG speculation. It very likely is the result of salvaging workable parts by the Bulgarian armorers to keep a pistol in service. Regardless, it is a neat assembly of authentic Bulgarian Luger parts. The crest on the '06 upper is nice and sharp and overall the gun is in pretty good shape for a Bulgarian. It has been reblued. If you can afford it I think it is an OK way to spend $1500. You won't come across an '06, even in this configuration, very often...they are scarce. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

12-31-2006, 04:04 AM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Jay, Bulgarian contract Lugers encompass three different models: 1900, 1906, and 1908. The 1900 and 1906 Bulgarians are representitive of their type, including grip safeties and standard rear-frame lanyard staple. They are marked with DWM on the center toggle link and the Bulgarian Royal crest on the chamber. These guns were supplied in caliber.30 Luger, although many of those in service were eventually rebarrelled to 9mm. The 1908 Bulgarian are representitive of the 1908 type, in 9mm and without grip safety, but with some unique characteristics. These guns have no lanyard staple, but instead have a lanyard loop at the bottom of the rear grip strap. On these guns the DWM hallmark is stamped over the chamber, and the center toggle is stamped with the Bulgarian Rampant Lion crest. Here is a picture of the top of a 1908 Bulgarian, and a link to a discussion with more pictures http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...ight=bulgarian The Luger you present appears to be a 1908 Bulgarian frame, with a 9mm rebarrelled 1906 receiver and toggle assembly. The service life of Bulgarian Lugers was arduous, and it is within the realm of possibility that this combination was assembled in a Bulgarian armory. This supposition cannot be confirmed, and rests in the realm of WAG speculation. --Dwight

12-31-2006, 10:08 AM	#5
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Jay, Dwight has posted very good information on the three known Bulgarian variants. The piece you have been offered shares features of two of those models. The frame, at least, looks re-blued to me. Such lugers that have been cannabalized and reworked are of considerably less interest to collectors. The $1500 asking price is at the top of the range for this particular piece, in my opinion.

12-31-2006, 11:21 AM	#7
jayc14943 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	another poor picture sorry the one mark looks like a 20 inside a double box

12-31-2006, 03:24 PM	#9
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Jay, If you don't buy it for $1500, I'll take it. hhclark@wildblue.net __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

12-31-2006, 11:31 PM	#10
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Jay, I'd be interested in the 5-6 inch barrel luger. Mike C. __________________ Mike C.

01-01-2007, 03:44 PM	#11
jayc14943 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I do not have the other luger at home and will not be at my shop until Wend . I will get some pic's then and post them . I may have to put these on gunbroker That was the agreement I made with the Family was to Auction all the guns to get the most out of them . I have the chance to buy a few for my self but think I will pass on the lugers . Jay