Another Navy opinion please

Jasta2 · 12-15-2009, 12:23 PM

There is a 6" Navy that never sells on Gunbroker #14997115. I know that it has a replaced toggle, but most of the rest looks matching from what I see. The 1920 property mark looks quite sloppy. Why would someone want to fake that?? Except for the toggle, if it is otherwise a complete Navy, seeing that most Navy Lugers I see for sale are in the $4,000 to $6,000 price range, I was thinking on picking this up, getting a unmarked toggle and repo Navy sights, some restoration work and end up with an original Navy (less replacement parts and refinish) for around $2,000. It might not be a collector's Luger, but would be a 'mostly' original Navy for my collection. Any thoughts on this ? or maybe other faults noticed that should change my mind on this?
Thanks,Bill

Jasta2 · 12-15-2009, 12:50 PM

I may of answered one of my questions. Maybe the poorly struck 1920 was a poor attempt to fake/justify the reason for the toggle replacement, as in armory replaced? Another question, can the true maker DWM or EUFURT be known from the Navy's S/N? One funny thing is that the age finish of the toggle does look to match the rest of the pistol.

Tomathvl · 12-15-2009, 05:11 PM

Check the number you posted!

Tim Reynolds · 12-15-2009, 08:51 PM

Why would you want too buy something like that,it would be better to save up and buy a good one.

Jasta2 · 12-15-2009, 11:11 PM

OOPS! I left of a 5!! Number is 149971155, Sorry about that!

Tomathvl · 12-16-2009, 08:33 AM

Bill,
I wouldn't spend $2000 on this project. you'd end up with a mismatched, refinished shooter. Having said that, if that floats your boat go for it. It would always be an ersatz navy but it could act as a place holder until you win the lottery.
Tom

Norme · 12-16-2009, 08:45 AM

Hi Bill, I think you are right. THe gun looks like a 1917 Navy to me, with an Erfurt toggle train. That said, the condition is awful and I don't think it would make economic sense to try to restore it. Remember that , at the end of the day, you would still have a gun that wasn't "right"! Regards, Norm

Dwight Gruber · 12-16-2009, 01:13 PM

The 1920 property mark was stamped by local armorers with whatever dies--and skill--were available, and are much more commonly seen as a slapdash addition than craftsmanlike work.

--Dwight

12-15-2009, 08:51 PM	#4
Tim Reynolds User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Why would you want too buy something like that,it would be better to save up and buy a good one. __________________ If the magazine does not match,it is a mismatched Luger

12-15-2009, 12:23 PM	#1
Jasta2 User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 514 Thanks: 349 Thanked 101 Times in 52 Posts	Another Navy opinion please There is a 6" Navy that never sells on Gunbroker #14997115. I know that it has a replaced toggle, but most of the rest looks matching from what I see. The 1920 property mark looks quite sloppy. Why would someone want to fake that?? Except for the toggle, if it is otherwise a complete Navy, seeing that most Navy Lugers I see for sale are in the $4,000 to $6,000 price range, I was thinking on picking this up, getting a unmarked toggle and repo Navy sights, some restoration work and end up with an original Navy (less replacement parts and refinish) for around $2,000. It might not be a collector's Luger, but would be a 'mostly' original Navy for my collection. Any thoughts on this ? or maybe other faults noticed that should change my mind on this? Thanks,Bill

12-15-2009, 12:50 PM	#2
Jasta2 User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 514 Thanks: 349 Thanked 101 Times in 52 Posts	I may of answered one of my questions. Maybe the poorly struck 1920 was a poor attempt to fake/justify the reason for the toggle replacement, as in armory replaced? Another question, can the true maker DWM or EUFURT be known from the Navy's S/N? One funny thing is that the age finish of the toggle does look to match the rest of the pistol.

12-15-2009, 05:11 PM	#3
Tomathvl User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Milan, IN Posts: 363 Thanks: 3 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	Check the number you posted!

12-15-2009, 11:11 PM	#5
Jasta2 User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 514 Thanks: 349 Thanked 101 Times in 52 Posts	OOPS! I left of a 5!! Number is 149971155, Sorry about that!

12-16-2009, 08:33 AM	#6
Tomathvl User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Milan, IN Posts: 363 Thanks: 3 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	Bill, I wouldn't spend $2000 on this project. you'd end up with a mismatched, refinished shooter. Having said that, if that floats your boat go for it. It would always be an ersatz navy but it could act as a place holder until you win the lottery. Tom

12-16-2009, 08:45 AM	#7
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 Bill, I think you are right. THe gun looks like a 1917 Navy to me, with an Erfurt toggle train. That said, the condition is awful and I don't think it would make economic sense to try to restore it. Remember that , at the end of the day, you would still have a gun that wasn't "right"! Regards, Norm

12-16-2009, 01:13 PM	#8
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	The 1920 property mark was stamped by local armorers with whatever dies--and skill--were available, and are much more commonly seen as a slapdash addition than craftsmanlike work. --Dwight