1917 with million dollar chip

erndog105 · 04-06-2007, 11:58 AM

I looked at an artillery yesterday that had the chip out of the grip. It is a 1917, SN 1466 (light was not good enough to see what alpha character was present), all number matching except the mag. Did not remove the grips. Are Artillery grips normally numbered like other parts? Could I replaced the grips and enhance the gun any. He wants $1500. Finish is good, about 85% to 90% blue and easily 95% on straw. Sorry no photos.
I don't need this gun but if there is a way to make it a good collectible, I might go for it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

George Anderson · 04-06-2007, 12:32 PM

Send the left grip to Mr Hugh Clark. He can repair it so that only by looking at the back can one detect the repair.

beachbaker · 04-06-2007, 12:54 PM

I also was wondering if the 1917 artillery's came with the grips being numbered to the gun? Also, if they are what value difference there is between like guns with or without the matching grips? Thanks, Curt

Ron Wood · 04-06-2007, 01:38 PM

Some folks are real picky about matching numbers and will turn up their nose at mis-matched grips. As for me, I couldn't care less. Three parts that do not bother me at all if they do not match are grips, firing pin and hold open. These guns were working guns and saw combat. Parts fail and are replaced, with these three parts being particularly subject to the hardships of use. Given that the rest of the Luger is matching and in nice original condition I will not deduct from the value for any or all of these parts not matching, nor am I willing to pay an exorbitant premium if they do match.

beachbaker · 04-06-2007, 03:16 PM

I am still wondering if it was originally issued with the grips numbered to the gun? Thanks, Curt

George Anderson · 04-06-2007, 03:38 PM

They were issued with grips numbered to the pistol.

GerColctor · 04-06-2007, 07:06 PM

If there is a small chip out of a matching grip, how much would you think it effects the value of the Luger? Is it better to repair the grip or leave it as is?

Joe

wlyon · 04-06-2007, 08:28 PM

Joe I am sure you will get varied answers on this.. Personally a small chip out of a grip on a nice matching luger is almost meaninless. If the price was in the ball park and I wanted the gun it would be no detraction. I do not expect 60-90 year old guns to look new. They were built to use. Original lugers with perfect grips and bluing with matching mags are very rare. Bill

Big Norm · 04-07-2007, 12:05 AM

For $1500, if there isn't any pitting, the gun is a bargain. A period original, wood bottom magazine would add a little to the value. Repro grips would more than likely hurt you more than help. The 1917 artillery was a transition year for adjustible front and rear sights. If this artillery has both sights adjustible, then this adds a little cache to the gun, but not much to the value.
Big Norm

erndog105 · 04-07-2007, 11:08 AM

Norm, are you saying to repair or leave as is the chipped grip? Thanks for your advice.

04-06-2007, 11:58 AM	#1
erndog105 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	1917 with million dollar chip I looked at an artillery yesterday that had the chip out of the grip. It is a 1917, SN 1466 (light was not good enough to see what alpha character was present), all number matching except the mag. Did not remove the grips. Are Artillery grips normally numbered like other parts? Could I replaced the grips and enhance the gun any. He wants $1500. Finish is good, about 85% to 90% blue and easily 95% on straw. Sorry no photos. I don't need this gun but if there is a way to make it a good collectible, I might go for it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

04-06-2007, 12:54 PM	#3
beachbaker Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: california Posts: 135 Thanks: 27 Thanked 106 Times in 29 Posts	I also was wondering if the 1917 artillery's came with the grips being numbered to the gun? Also, if they are what value difference there is between like guns with or without the matching grips? Thanks, Curt __________________ Curt

04-06-2007, 01:38 PM	#4
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: 6,987 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,090 Times in 1,675 Posts	Some folks are real picky about matching numbers and will turn up their nose at mis-matched grips. As for me, I couldn't care less. Three parts that do not bother me at all if they do not match are grips, firing pin and hold open. These guns were working guns and saw combat. Parts fail and are replaced, with these three parts being particularly subject to the hardships of use. Given that the rest of the Luger is matching and in nice original condition I will not deduct from the value for any or all of these parts not matching, nor am I willing to pay an exorbitant premium if they do match. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-06-2007, 03:16 PM	#5
beachbaker Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: california Posts: 135 Thanks: 27 Thanked 106 Times in 29 Posts	I am still wondering if it was originally issued with the grips numbered to the gun? Thanks, Curt __________________ Curt

04-06-2007, 07:06 PM	#7
GerColctor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: CT & FL Posts: 308 Thanks: 2 Thanked 40 Times in 27 Posts	If there is a small chip out of a matching grip, how much would you think it effects the value of the Luger? Is it better to repair the grip or leave it as is? Joe __________________ It is better to have lived a day as a tiger, then a thousand years as a lamb.

04-06-2007, 12:32 PM	#2
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,771 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Send the left grip to Mr Hugh Clark. He can repair it so that only by looking at the back can one detect the repair.

04-06-2007, 03:38 PM	#6
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,771 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	They were issued with grips numbered to the pistol.

04-06-2007, 08:28 PM	#8
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,615 Thanks: 3,140 Thanked 2,522 Times in 940 Posts	Joe I am sure you will get varied answers on this.. Personally a small chip out of a grip on a nice matching luger is almost meaninless. If the price was in the ball park and I wanted the gun it would be no detraction. I do not expect 60-90 year old guns to look new. They were built to use. Original lugers with perfect grips and bluing with matching mags are very rare. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

04-07-2007, 12:05 AM	#9
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	For $1500, if there isn't any pitting, the gun is a bargain. A period original, wood bottom magazine would add a little to the value. Repro grips would more than likely hurt you more than help. The 1917 artillery was a transition year for adjustible front and rear sights. If this artillery has both sights adjustible, then this adds a little cache to the gun, but not much to the value. Big Norm

04-07-2007, 11:08 AM	#10
erndog105 User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Norm, are you saying to repair or leave as is the chipped grip? Thanks for your advice.