1937 S/42 Value

OldSwede · 07-10-2006, 02:56 PM

I wonder if some of you gurus might be able to let me know, for insurance purposes, what the approximate value of a Luger that I have might be. It is 1937 marked, S/N 5041, with (2) aluminum botoom magazines, also marked 5041. It has a black leather holster with a magazine pocket, unfortunately marked 1945. I am not qualified to rate the firearm so I'll just briefly describe it to you:

1. Blue is dull in places but 95% present. Worn off on some sharp edges.
2. Muzzle is scratched, "dented" a little on right side under the front sight.
2. A number of scratches here and there.
4. Grips are wood with checkering that is very good. Grips are dark brown of color. Should they be cleaned? Would this affect value?
5. Holster is checked and cracked but is all functional and all there. I'd restore the leather but don't want to detrientally affect the value.

This is no show gun but is much nicer than some I have seen. It was, I assume, a G.I. souvenier bring-back after WW2. It is 100% functional and has been recently fired.

I'm REAL new to this so I'd appreciate any information or advice.

Thanks!

Curly1 · 07-10-2006, 05:35 PM

Can you post some pics?

Edward Tinker · 07-10-2006, 05:49 PM

David, welcome to the forum!

Is it all matching? To include the firing pin and maybe the grips? Do the two magazines match the serial number or different numbers?

Does it have a suffix on the front of the frame just under the serial number?

Pictures help immensly, as it can show a reblue (collector value gone) or other things we might spot and that you don't know

A 1945 holster sounds interesting, as I don't think a lot were made?

Ed

OldSwede · 07-11-2006, 08:22 AM

Many thanks for the welcome.

1. The firearm has not been reblued since it has been in our family since it came back from WW2 and has not been touched since by other than family members.

2. The magazines do in fact match the S/N of the firearm.

3. It has what appears to be a stylized "v" suffix under the S/N on the front of the frame.

4. A re-inspection (under better light) indicates that the holster may very well be dated "1915" rather than "1945". The date is located under the strap of the holster. The holster is different than others that I have seen (doesn't count for much since I haven't seen very many) in that is has a stud on the closing flap and a pull strap on the bottom with an elongated hole in it. Here are some poor photos:

http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...MVC-003F-1.jpg

http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...MVC-004F-1.jpg

http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...t=MVC-005F.jpg

Frank · 07-11-2006, 09:23 AM

David, I would like to add my welcome to the Luger Forum. Your Luger is known as a second sub-variation and was likely completed in about June 1937.

If indeed you are correct in the information provided, Simpson LTD, a Midwest Retailer, would value the pistol at about $1800. Since it has two matching magazines, I would add an additional $500 or so. The holster might be worth $200 to $300. So I guess I might value your system at about the $2500 range.

Hope this helps!

OldSwede · 07-11-2006, 10:25 AM

Many thanks. Guess we'd better call that insurance guy.....

07-10-2006, 02:56 PM	#1
OldSwede New User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: beautiful North Muskegon, Michigan Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1937 S/42 Value I wonder if some of you gurus might be able to let me know, for insurance purposes, what the approximate value of a Luger that I have might be. It is 1937 marked, S/N 5041, with (2) aluminum botoom magazines, also marked 5041. It has a black leather holster with a magazine pocket, unfortunately marked 1945. I am not qualified to rate the firearm so I'll just briefly describe it to you: 1. Blue is dull in places but 95% present. Worn off on some sharp edges. 2. Muzzle is scratched, "dented" a little on right side under the front sight. 2. A number of scratches here and there. 4. Grips are wood with checkering that is very good. Grips are dark brown of color. Should they be cleaned? Would this affect value? 5. Holster is checked and cracked but is all functional and all there. I'd restore the leather but don't want to detrientally affect the value. This is no show gun but is much nicer than some I have seen. It was, I assume, a G.I. souvenier bring-back after WW2. It is 100% functional and has been recently fired. I'm REAL new to this so I'd appreciate any information or advice. Thanks! __________________ Have you forgotten?

07-10-2006, 05:35 PM	#2
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,230 Thanks: 113 Thanked 703 Times in 365 Posts	Can you post some pics? __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

07-10-2006, 05:49 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,912 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	David, welcome to the forum! Is it all matching? To include the firing pin and maybe the grips? Do the two magazines match the serial number or different numbers? Does it have a suffix on the front of the frame just under the serial number? Pictures help immensly, as it can show a reblue (collector value gone) or other things we might spot and that you don't know A 1945 holster sounds interesting, as I don't think a lot were made? 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

07-11-2006, 08:22 AM	#4
OldSwede New User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: beautiful North Muskegon, Michigan Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Many thanks for the welcome. 1. The firearm has not been reblued since it has been in our family since it came back from WW2 and has not been touched since by other than family members. 2. The magazines do in fact match the S/N of the firearm. 3. It has what appears to be a stylized "v" suffix under the S/N on the front of the frame. 4. A re-inspection (under better light) indicates that the holster may very well be dated "1915" rather than "1945". The date is located under the strap of the holster. The holster is different than others that I have seen (doesn't count for much since I haven't seen very many) in that is has a stud on the closing flap and a pull strap on the bottom with an elongated hole in it. Here are some poor photos: http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...MVC-003F-1.jpg http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...MVC-004F-1.jpg http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...t=MVC-005F.jpg __________________ Have you forgotten?

07-11-2006, 10:25 AM	#6
OldSwede New User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: beautiful North Muskegon, Michigan Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Many thanks. Guess we'd better call that insurance guy..... __________________ Have you forgotten?

07-11-2006, 09:23 AM	#5
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	David, I would like to add my welcome to the Luger Forum. Your Luger is known as a second sub-variation and was likely completed in about June 1937. If indeed you are correct in the information provided, Simpson LTD, a Midwest Retailer, would value the pistol at about $1800. Since it has two matching magazines, I would add an additional $500 or so. The holster might be worth $200 to $300. So I guess I might value your system at about the $2500 range. Hope this helps!