1940 Mauser "42" Luger

GaCop · 12-13-2005, 03:57 PM

I've just purchased the above listed pistol from the son of the deceased veteran who brought it back from Europe in 1945. The pistol is all matching with the last two of "66". The serial number is 466 on the front of the frame with a styalized "c" below that.

The son advised me his father stated he took the pistol from an SS NCO who surrendered in their mad dash to avoid the Russians near the Elbe river.

The veteran was assigned to Company "F", 406th Infantry Reg., 102nd Infantry Division. Checking this info on the net shows all information correct. The veteran had someone engrave two plates which he affixed to each grip panel which were then covered by clear plastic panels to protect the engraving. One plate shows "SSgt James Weeks, Ruhr - Rhine - Elbe 1945". The other panel is engraved "Company F, 406th Inf Reg., 102 Inf Div.

The bore is bright and shiney, the bluing is at least 75% with freckling on the trigger plate and bluing loss on the high point of the plate and near the muzzle.

The black holster that came with it is very old and soft with a poor repair to the stitching to the flap. Attached to the flap is a gold or brass colored eagle and swastika that has verdigris along the edges from age.

Isd it possible to give me a ball park value on this piece? I can supply pictures at a later date. I bought the pistol/holster from the son for $600 (hope I didn't pay too much).

Tom

Edward Tinker · 12-13-2005, 04:06 PM

I PM'd you, read this closer, the holster is not worth a lot because if it being soft and the add'on's, however, $600 was good to very reasonable, might be worth several hundred more.

Your 75% bluing makes a big difference in value, if less, then worth more.

Ed

George Anderson · 12-13-2005, 04:14 PM

Tom, at $600 you probably got a deal. Normally the personal touch on the grips would detract from the pistol's value and probably does in this case. You may still be able to enhance the gun's value by promptly getting ahold of the son and asking for two things.

First ask him to search his Dad's papers to see if an Army permit to bring the pistol home can be found. Next ask the son to write a brief letter to you describing the circumatances his father related to him in regard to the weapon's acquisition. Also ask for a brief bio of the old man to include place of birth, date of birth and (most important) service number.

If the vet's unit did indeed disarm some SS types and the pistol can be so documented to have come from one of these guys, you may have a $1200 gun. In all future correspondence with the heirs and in the search for documents, the mention of the serial number is paramount to any hope of creating provenance.

Good luck.

GaCop · 12-13-2005, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the information. I will post pictures ASAP.

tudorbug · 12-14-2005, 10:24 AM

Hi, Warner Robins! Greetings from a Luger enthusiast in Macon.

Very kindly, David

Navy · 12-14-2005, 10:56 AM

GaCop and tudorbug,

/Tom A

GaCop · 12-15-2005, 07:40 AM

A big hello to tudorbug and Tom A! The vets son advised me he is still looking for the bring back papers and a Nazi flag his father brought back

Tom

12-13-2005, 03:57 PM	#1
GaCop New User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warner Robins Georgia Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1940 Mauser "42" Luger I've just purchased the above listed pistol from the son of the deceased veteran who brought it back from Europe in 1945. The pistol is all matching with the last two of "66". The serial number is 466 on the front of the frame with a styalized "c" below that. The son advised me his father stated he took the pistol from an SS NCO who surrendered in their mad dash to avoid the Russians near the Elbe river. The veteran was assigned to Company "F", 406th Infantry Reg., 102nd Infantry Division. Checking this info on the net shows all information correct. The veteran had someone engrave two plates which he affixed to each grip panel which were then covered by clear plastic panels to protect the engraving. One plate shows "SSgt James Weeks, Ruhr - Rhine - Elbe 1945". The other panel is engraved "Company F, 406th Inf Reg., 102 Inf Div. The bore is bright and shiney, the bluing is at least 75% with freckling on the trigger plate and bluing loss on the high point of the plate and near the muzzle. The black holster that came with it is very old and soft with a poor repair to the stitching to the flap. Attached to the flap is a gold or brass colored eagle and swastika that has verdigris along the edges from age. Isd it possible to give me a ball park value on this piece? I can supply pictures at a later date. I bought the pistol/holster from the son for $600 (hope I didn't pay too much). Tom __________________ Tom

12-13-2005, 04:06 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,924 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,518 Times in 2,087 Posts	I PM'd you, read this closer, the holster is not worth a lot because if it being soft and the add'on's, however, $600 was good to very reasonable, might be worth several hundred more. Your 75% bluing makes a big difference in value, if less, then worth more. 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

12-13-2005, 04:30 PM	#4
GaCop New User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warner Robins Georgia Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for the information. I will post pictures ASAP. __________________ Tom

12-15-2005, 07:40 AM	#7
GaCop New User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Warner Robins Georgia Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A big hello to tudorbug and Tom A! The vets son advised me he is still looking for the bring back papers and a Nazi flag his father brought back Tom __________________ Tom

12-13-2005, 04:14 PM	#3
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,528 Times in 787 Posts	Tom, at $600 you probably got a deal. Normally the personal touch on the grips would detract from the pistol's value and probably does in this case. You may still be able to enhance the gun's value by promptly getting ahold of the son and asking for two things. First ask him to search his Dad's papers to see if an Army permit to bring the pistol home can be found. Next ask the son to write a brief letter to you describing the circumatances his father related to him in regard to the weapon's acquisition. Also ask for a brief bio of the old man to include place of birth, date of birth and (most important) service number. If the vet's unit did indeed disarm some SS types and the pistol can be so documented to have come from one of these guys, you may have a $1200 gun. In all future correspondence with the heirs and in the search for documents, the mention of the serial number is paramount to any hope of creating provenance. Good luck.

12-14-2005, 10:24 AM	#5
tudorbug Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 387 Thanks: 0 Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts	Hi, Warner Robins! Greetings from a Luger enthusiast in Macon. Very kindly, David

12-14-2005, 10:56 AM	#6
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	GaCop and tudorbug, /Tom A