ID'ing a Lugar

Bob Hostetter · 08-25-2008, 03:36 PM

My father passed away recently and I recieved this pistol from his estate. I have no idea what it is (other then being a Lugar) or if it is valuable. If anyone could guide me in the right direction I would be grateful.

I have added a couple of pictures.

Thanks,

Bob

Ron Smith · 08-25-2008, 03:42 PM

Hi Bob,

Welcome to the forum. Your photos are a bit large, but very clear. Can you post some of any markings on the sides of the receiver and barrel. It would help greatly in identification.

Ron

Ron Wood · 08-25-2008, 05:03 PM

Bob,
It appears that you have a pretty nice Model 1908. But, as the other Ron stated, we need clear photos of any exterior markings to firm up the identification and determine if it is military or commercial.

lugerholsterrepair · 08-25-2008, 06:08 PM

What in the heck are the white dots on the grips?

Jerry Burney

Ron Wood · 08-25-2008, 06:43 PM

I'm guessing that they are ivory inlays. The interesting thing is that they are located just about where the screws for the wood scales for an Ideal shoulderstock/holster grips would be placed. I don't think that was the purpose, the grips are too thick to attach to the Ideal metal backing plates, but it is an interesting coincidence nonetheless.

Bob Hostetter · 08-25-2008, 07:18 PM

The only markings anywhere on the pistol other then the DWM on the toggle is a stamped marking that appears to be a crown above a "N".

It also has the serial number is various places which all match. The number is in the mid 60,000 range.

The pistol appears to be blued steel but a couple of parts have kind of a tan or gold tint to them , maybe some type of case hardening. It has some surface wear and has never been refinished since my dad brought it back from WW2. It has mostly set in his night stand drawer for home defense for the last 60 some years. As far as I can remember is probably has less then 250 rounds fired thru it.

Ron Wood · 08-25-2008, 08:16 PM

Bob,
You have a Model 1908 Commercial. You are correct that the gold colored parts are a heat treatment that provides a moderate case hardening. Collectors refer to this as "straw" colored, and it is correct for your Luger. It appears that you have a fairly nice example and more photos would be appreciated. There really isn't any harm in disclosing the actual serial number and it would help to add to the data base on these guns, but if you choose not to share it that is understandable.

08-25-2008, 03:36 PM	#1
Bob Hostetter New User Join Date: May 2008 Location: So Calif Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ID'ing a Lugar My father passed away recently and I recieved this pistol from his estate. I have no idea what it is (other then being a Lugar) or if it is valuable. If anyone could guide me in the right direction I would be grateful. I have added a couple of pictures. Thanks, Bob __________________ Bob Hostetter

08-25-2008, 03:42 PM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Bob, Welcome to the forum. Your photos are a bit large, but very clear. Can you post some of any markings on the sides of the receiver and barrel. It would help greatly in identification. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

08-25-2008, 05:03 PM	#3
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,178 Times in 1,703 Posts	Bob, It appears that you have a pretty nice Model 1908. But, as the other Ron stated, we need clear photos of any exterior markings to firm up the identification and determine if it is military or commercial. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-25-2008, 06:08 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,933 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	What in the heck are the white dots on the grips? Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

08-25-2008, 06:43 PM	#5
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,178 Times in 1,703 Posts	I'm guessing that they are ivory inlays. The interesting thing is that they are located just about where the screws for the wood scales for an Ideal shoulderstock/holster grips would be placed. I don't think that was the purpose, the grips are too thick to attach to the Ideal metal backing plates, but it is an interesting coincidence nonetheless. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-25-2008, 07:18 PM	#6
Bob Hostetter New User Join Date: May 2008 Location: So Calif Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The only markings anywhere on the pistol other then the DWM on the toggle is a stamped marking that appears to be a crown above a "N". It also has the serial number is various places which all match. The number is in the mid 60,000 range. The pistol appears to be blued steel but a couple of parts have kind of a tan or gold tint to them , maybe some type of case hardening. It has some surface wear and has never been refinished since my dad brought it back from WW2. It has mostly set in his night stand drawer for home defense for the last 60 some years. As far as I can remember is probably has less then 250 rounds fired thru it. __________________ Bob Hostetter

08-25-2008, 08:16 PM	#7
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,178 Times in 1,703 Posts	Bob, You have a Model 1908 Commercial. You are correct that the gold colored parts are a heat treatment that provides a moderate case hardening. Collectors refer to this as "straw" colored, and it is correct for your Luger. It appears that you have a fairly nice example and more photos would be appreciated. There really isn't any harm in disclosing the actual serial number and it would help to add to the data base on these guns, but if you choose not to share it that is understandable. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction