Newbie - need help with this Luger

dougiefreshhh · 04-11-2013, 12:00 PM

Hi All:
Just became new owner of what I believe is a Commercial Alphabet Luger.

It was passed down from my great grandfather who served in WWI and WWII.

Lots of stories with the pistol...but now I'm starting to doubt them...espcially the "he got if off a dead German officer"...story.

Since this is commercial..does that mean it was probably NOT used in either war?

Here are the pics. I guess I don't have an original wood-end magazine...but all the SN's that I see do match.

Advice,suggestions, value estimate would be greatly apreciated!

Doug

alanint · 04-11-2013, 12:15 PM

While it would not be impossible for a German officer to have a commercial pistol, particularly in WW1, your pistol was produced in the 1920s, between both wars. The "Germany" on your pistol indicates it was meant for export. Most likely to the United States, which required a country of origen stamped on all imported pistols.

Your Grandfather more than likely acquired the pistol here at some point.

dougiefreshhh · 04-11-2013, 01:27 PM

Thanks. That is what I sadly figured. Any comments on condition/value?

DavidJayUden · 04-11-2013, 01:51 PM

Am I to assume that it is .30 cal, not 9mm?
Condition isn't great but not that bad. The grips could be repaired and freshened up a bit by our Hugh.
Value is somewhere south of $1000. .30 cal. might bring around $750, and 9mm a bit more, maybe $850'ish.
But regardless of the story you attach to it, Great Grandpa was a warrior and this was his Luger. That makes it worth a lot more. If not to you, then to your kids.
dju

SteveM · 04-11-2013, 02:54 PM

Are the blue magazines marked Mauser on the spine?

dougiefreshhh · 04-11-2013, 02:55 PM

Thanks DJU. Yes, its .30 cal. Is the white-end magazine something that would have come with it? The two black-end mag's are marked "Made in Holland".

Edward Tinker · 04-11-2013, 03:31 PM

no, all three are aftermarket mags, the Made in Holland are very nice magazines

SteveM · 04-11-2013, 07:33 PM

Yep, those Holland mags are nice. I have a couple myself.

dougiefreshhh · 04-11-2013, 09:30 PM

Thx all. Now, do I dare shoot it?

DavidJayUden · 04-11-2013, 09:50 PM

So long as it checks out as in good working order, why not? But if a nmbered part breaks it will hurt the value a bit.
They are fun to shoot.
dju

dougiefreshhh · 04-12-2013, 06:54 AM

Mags are not marked on the spines.

SteveM · 04-12-2013, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougiefreshhh

Mags are not marked on the spines.

Where are they marked?

dougiefreshhh · 04-12-2013, 10:35 AM

Thanks. They are marked on the bottom. Can send pic if you want.

04-11-2013, 12:00 PM	#1
dougiefreshhh User Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Newbie - need help with this Luger Hi All: Just became new owner of what I believe is a Commercial Alphabet Luger. It was passed down from my great grandfather who served in WWI and WWII. Lots of stories with the pistol...but now I'm starting to doubt them...espcially the "he got if off a dead German officer"...story. Since this is commercial..does that mean it was probably NOT used in either war? Here are the pics. I guess I don't have an original wood-end magazine...but all the SN's that I see do match. Advice,suggestions, value estimate would be greatly apreciated! Doug

04-11-2013, 03:31 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,913 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,503 Times in 2,078 Posts	no, all three are aftermarket mags, the Made in Holland are very nice magazines __________________ 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

04-11-2013, 12:15 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	While it would not be impossible for a German officer to have a commercial pistol, particularly in WW1, your pistol was produced in the 1920s, between both wars. The "Germany" on your pistol indicates it was meant for export. Most likely to the United States, which required a country of origen stamped on all imported pistols. Your Grandfather more than likely acquired the pistol here at some point.

04-11-2013, 01:27 PM	#3
dougiefreshhh User Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks. That is what I sadly figured. Any comments on condition/value?

04-11-2013, 01:51 PM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Am I to assume that it is .30 cal, not 9mm? Condition isn't great but not that bad. The grips could be repaired and freshened up a bit by our Hugh. Value is somewhere south of $1000. .30 cal. might bring around $750, and 9mm a bit more, maybe $850'ish. But regardless of the story you attach to it, Great Grandpa was a warrior and this was his Luger. That makes it worth a lot more. If not to you, then to your kids. dju

04-11-2013, 02:54 PM	#5
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	Are the blue magazines marked Mauser on the spine?

04-11-2013, 02:55 PM	#6
dougiefreshhh User Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks DJU. Yes, its .30 cal. Is the white-end magazine something that would have come with it? The two black-end mag's are marked "Made in Holland".

04-11-2013, 07:33 PM	#8
SteveM User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,016 Thanks: 94 Thanked 275 Times in 137 Posts	Yep, those Holland mags are nice. I have a couple myself.

04-11-2013, 09:30 PM	#9
dougiefreshhh User Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thx all. Now, do I dare shoot it?

04-11-2013, 09:50 PM	#10
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	So long as it checks out as in good working order, why not? But if a nmbered part breaks it will hurt the value a bit. They are fun to shoot. dju

04-12-2013, 06:54 AM	#11
dougiefreshhh User Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mags are not marked on the spines.

04-12-2013, 10:35 AM	#13
dougiefreshhh User Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks. They are marked on the bottom. Can send pic if you want.