1940 Luger de-value question

Dave Sanders · 10-01-2023, 01:55 AM

I just picked this up today from a grandson of the owner, I just couldn't pass up a Luger out of the wilds, I'm sure you guys know that feeling. It is a really nice Luger, all matching including one mag, the second mag is another number. But, under the barrel are some scratches and a ding or two. The story is, ( I know) the grandpa used the barrel to break out a window, and then knocked the jagged edges off with the Luger. The scratches, to me, do kind of look like that could have happened. In any case, how much of a value loss would that do to an otherwise pretty nice Luger? It doesn't bother me, but I know a purist might really frown upon it. Also, The holster is a 41 date holster, and I don't know if the loading tool is original or not, it is unmarked. Who knows if the grandpa added to it back in the day with those or just what. Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts on this rig. It is an extra to me, so I might sell it down the road and wanted to know these thing.
Dave

Dave Sanders · 10-01-2023, 01:58 AM

more pics

Dave Sanders · 10-01-2023, 02:00 AM

last

tharpo · 10-01-2023, 03:05 AM

Interesting Luger with some history!

Kiwi · 10-01-2023, 09:52 AM

Ouch, the damage is pretty ugly on an otherwise nice piece with good bluing

Mac Cat · 10-01-2023, 11:50 AM

Thanks for sharing.
6415 d

It looks a lot like my 40/42 in the "d" suffix range.

You may want to share more details when you field strip it and look inside.
You will find 2-digit serial numbers on all the small parts inside, too.
Be very careful removing the grips - your grips are still in great condition.

The loading tool looks like a reproduction to me.
That's something you can easily replace.

I'm still learning about holsters - it looks good to me.
What bothers me is that I don't see any military acceptance stamp on it.
Just the makers 3-letter code and date.
Often those stamps are hard to make out, but I think it should be in the same area.
Look closely.

You may want to hunt down a copy of:

The Mauser Parabellum (Don R. Hallock & Joop van de Kant)

Dave Sanders · 10-01-2023, 02:25 PM

Thanks for the replies. I took it apart where I bought it. All parts that should be numbered are, including grips, all matching. Naturally, I took the right grip off to look at the left. There is a Waffen amt on the holster. In good light , I can see it. It just didn't come out in the picture. If you look in the picture, at the part that looks like a slight crease below the maker, you can see the wings of the eagle of the Waa.

Mac Cat · 10-01-2023, 03:31 PM

Great news on the matching small parts and particularly the grips.

Glad you took a closer look at the holster stamps !!

The LUGER HOSLTERS and ACCESSORIES of the 20th CENTURY, Eugene J Bender is a good reference. From page 213:
It shows "gxy" as the Code for Gebruder Klinge.
So that "WaA142" wafer code should be with it.
Good catch

The matching magazine was pretty special, too.

gunnertwo · 10-01-2023, 03:59 PM

Legit example, it's in a good home. We all want nice examples but we also tend to forget it went to war. Bad things happen, things get beat up and destroyed.

G2

Dave Sanders · 10-01-2023, 05:45 PM

The holster WaA is 706 under a good magnifying glass which is gyx's later code I believe. Thanks for the replies. Any ideas on cost devalue the marks take away? I don't mind it as such, but then I own it and have to not mind it

, but a ball park figure less value because of the marks, 200,300, more?
Dave

hayhugh · 10-01-2023, 06:33 PM

If it shoots - its at least worth $1000.00......

Roadster 02 · 10-01-2023, 08:44 PM

Using any firearm as a hammer is a dumb thing to do. I know you are not the perpetrator, but still dumb. It is still a nice Luger even with the cosmetic scars.

gunbugs · 10-02-2023, 09:41 AM

Without the scars, it would be worth in the 2500 range with the holster and spare mag. The scars would drop it to about 1500-1800. Just my opinion.

mrerick · 10-02-2023, 10:56 AM

I agree with the above estimate. It's nice but the damage is very visible.

That said, these did go through a war and more...

Vlim · 10-02-2023, 12:28 PM

A good restorer can fix this. I have seen partially restored P08s that were impossible to tell they had been done.

Dave Sanders · 10-02-2023, 01:15 PM

Thank you all for the replies.
Dave

GerColctor · 10-27-2023, 03:22 PM

When the grandfather was breaking the window years ago Lugers had very little value compared to today. After WW2 Lugers were selling for $25-30. Nobody had any idea as to eventual collectability of Lugers or the importance of "all matching".

The damage is part of the pistol's history and if you have it worked on and try to correct the finish, then this Luger has been "restored". Not sure if you want to take it down that road.

Sergio Natali · 10-29-2023, 05:21 AM

As an enthusiast, seeing a Luger so ruined makes me hurt inside.
However, if I were you I wouldn't take it to any restorer.
Any restoration would decrease the value of the gun.
IMO

Regards.

Dave Sanders · 10-29-2023, 01:23 PM

I appreciate the comments, thank you all for that. One thing I would add is that the gun, in hand, is not as bad looking with the scratches as the pictures portray. I know that a pristine mint Luger is more desirable to most, but this one was there, used and abused, it is still a neat artifact to me.

DonVoigt · 10-30-2023, 10:14 AM

Enjoy it as is. It only needs cleaning and oiling.

10-01-2023, 01:55 AM	#1
Dave Sanders User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hamer, Idaho Posts: 283 Thanks: 26 Thanked 43 Times in 22 Posts	1940 Luger de-value question I just picked this up today from a grandson of the owner, I just couldn't pass up a Luger out of the wilds, I'm sure you guys know that feeling. It is a really nice Luger, all matching including one mag, the second mag is another number. But, under the barrel are some scratches and a ding or two. The story is, ( I know) the grandpa used the barrel to break out a window, and then knocked the jagged edges off with the Luger. The scratches, to me, do kind of look like that could have happened. In any case, how much of a value loss would that do to an otherwise pretty nice Luger? It doesn't bother me, but I know a purist might really frown upon it. Also, The holster is a 41 date holster, and I don't know if the loading tool is original or not, it is unmarked. Who knows if the grandpa added to it back in the day with those or just what. Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts on this rig. It is an extra to me, so I might sell it down the road and wanted to know these thing. Dave Attached Thumbnails

10-01-2023, 01:58 AM	#2
Dave Sanders User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hamer, Idaho Posts: 283 Thanks: 26 Thanked 43 Times in 22 Posts	more pics Attached Thumbnails

10-01-2023, 02:00 AM	#3
Dave Sanders User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hamer, Idaho Posts: 283 Thanks: 26 Thanked 43 Times in 22 Posts	last Attached Thumbnails

10-01-2023, 11:50 AM	#6
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 725 Thanks: 2,090 Thanked 606 Times in 327 Posts	Thanks for sharing. 6415 d It looks a lot like my 40/42 in the "d" suffix range. You may want to share more details when you field strip it and look inside. You will find 2-digit serial numbers on all the small parts inside, too. Be very careful removing the grips - your grips are still in great condition. The loading tool looks like a reproduction to me. That's something you can easily replace. I'm still learning about holsters - it looks good to me. What bothers me is that I don't see any military acceptance stamp on it. Just the makers 3-letter code and date. Often those stamps are hard to make out, but I think it should be in the same area. Look closely. You may want to hunt down a copy of: The Mauser Parabellum (Don R. Hallock & Joop van de Kant) Attached Images

10-01-2023, 03:31 PM	#8
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 725 Thanks: 2,090 Thanked 606 Times in 327 Posts	Great news on the matching small parts and particularly the grips. Glad you took a closer look at the holster stamps !! The LUGER HOSLTERS and ACCESSORIES of the 20th CENTURY, Eugene J Bender is a good reference. From page 213: It shows "gxy" as the Code for Gebruder Klinge. So that "WaA142" wafer code should be with it. Good catch The matching magazine was pretty special, too. Attached Thumbnails Attached Images

10-01-2023, 03:05 AM	#4
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 543 Thanks: 116 Thanked 382 Times in 157 Posts	Interesting Luger with some history!

10-01-2023, 09:52 AM	#5
Kiwi User Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Wrong side of the Delaware river Posts: 305 Thanks: 215 Thanked 434 Times in 171 Posts	Ouch, the damage is pretty ugly on an otherwise nice piece with good bluing

10-01-2023, 02:25 PM	#7
Dave Sanders User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hamer, Idaho Posts: 283 Thanks: 26 Thanked 43 Times in 22 Posts	Thanks for the replies. I took it apart where I bought it. All parts that should be numbered are, including grips, all matching. Naturally, I took the right grip off to look at the left. There is a Waffen amt on the holster. In good light , I can see it. It just didn't come out in the picture. If you look in the picture, at the part that looks like a slight crease below the maker, you can see the wings of the eagle of the Waa.

10-01-2023, 03:59 PM	#9
gunnertwo User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 623 Thanks: 823 Thanked 930 Times in 363 Posts	Legit example, it's in a good home. We all want nice examples but we also tend to forget it went to war. Bad things happen, things get beat up and destroyed. G2

10-01-2023, 05:45 PM	#10
Dave Sanders User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hamer, Idaho Posts: 283 Thanks: 26 Thanked 43 Times in 22 Posts	The holster WaA is 706 under a good magnifying glass which is gyx's later code I believe. Thanks for the replies. Any ideas on cost devalue the marks take away? I don't mind it as such, but then I own it and have to not mind it , but a ball park figure less value because of the marks, 200,300, more? Dave

10-01-2023, 06:33 PM	#11
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 896 Thanks: 856 Thanked 513 Times in 275 Posts	If it shoots - its at least worth $1000.00......

10-01-2023, 08:44 PM	#12
Roadster 02 User Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Rocky Mountain High Posts: 312 Thanks: 173 Thanked 248 Times in 86 Posts	Using any firearm as a hammer is a dumb thing to do. I know you are not the perpetrator, but still dumb. It is still a nice Luger even with the cosmetic scars.

10-02-2023, 09:41 AM	#13
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 658 Thanks: 365 Thanked 1,175 Times in 393 Posts	Without the scars, it would be worth in the 2500 range with the holster and spare mag. The scars would drop it to about 1500-1800. Just my opinion.

10-02-2023, 10:56 AM	#14
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	I agree with the above estimate. It's nice but the damage is very visible. That said, these did go through a war and more... __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-02-2023, 12:28 PM	#15
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	A good restorer can fix this. I have seen partially restored P08s that were impossible to tell they had been done.

10-02-2023, 01:15 PM	#16
Dave Sanders User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hamer, Idaho Posts: 283 Thanks: 26 Thanked 43 Times in 22 Posts	Thank you all for the replies. Dave

10-27-2023, 03:22 PM	#17
GerColctor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: CT & FL Posts: 312 Thanks: 2 Thanked 45 Times in 29 Posts	When the grandfather was breaking the window years ago Lugers had very little value compared to today. After WW2 Lugers were selling for $25-30. Nobody had any idea as to eventual collectability of Lugers or the importance of "all matching". The damage is part of the pistol's history and if you have it worked on and try to correct the finish, then this Luger has been "restored". Not sure if you want to take it down that road. __________________ It is better to have lived a day as a tiger, then a thousand years as a lamb.

10-29-2023, 05:21 AM	#18
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	As an enthusiast, seeing a Luger so ruined makes me hurt inside. However, if I were you I wouldn't take it to any restorer. Any restoration would decrease the value of the gun. IMO Regards. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

10-29-2023, 01:23 PM	#19
Dave Sanders User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Hamer, Idaho Posts: 283 Thanks: 26 Thanked 43 Times in 22 Posts	I appreciate the comments, thank you all for that. One thing I would add is that the gun, in hand, is not as bad looking with the scratches as the pictures portray. I know that a pristine mint Luger is more desirable to most, but this one was there, used and abused, it is still a neat artifact to me.

10-30-2023, 10:14 AM	#20
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	Enjoy it as is. It only needs cleaning and oiling. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie