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Steve H44 · 08-19-2009, 11:09 PM

Hello all,
I have been around guns since the mid 1950's but never have I handled a Luger. A few days ago a good friend brought over some guns for me to look at. One is a P.08 Luger. There is what I think is a date stamped across the top of the receiver, 1937. There are at least five places marked on the gun with the number 65. What I think is the serial number is on the receiver and the last two digits of the s/n are on another part of the receiver. The barrel is 7" long and there are pen "dents" on the bottom of the barrel the line up with the receiver. I have been told that this means the barrel is original to the receiver. The bluing show age but no rust nor scratches nor pitting. The wood is in GREAT condition. What is the best way to determine the value of the gun quickly? My friend is facing foreclosure. I am not using this forum as an ad, I'm just asking for what direction to go. I'll try to post some photos below.

Thanks in advance,
Steve H44

policeluger · 08-20-2009, 02:25 AM

Sorry, I don't think this gun will save anyone from foreclosure....it is a mis-matched, re-barreled, re-blued shooter,with incorrect grips, perhaps in the $700 range.......

Steve H44 · 08-20-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by policeluger

Sorry, I don't think this gun will save anyone from foreclosure....it is a mis-matched, re-barreled, re-blued shooter,with incorrect grips, perhaps in the $700 range.......

Thank you for the info. Can you please explain to me how you can see all of those things? Please do not take this as an argument but all of the numbers match. The bluing appears original, the wood.....what is the clue there?

Ron Wood · 08-20-2009, 08:51 AM

The grips are Italian made reproductions in the bordered Swiss pattern. A 1937 Luger was made by Mauser for the military and was never produced with a 7" barrel. Does the barrel have a serial number and proof marks?,,,it should.

Jack Lawman · 08-20-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve H44

Thank you for the info. Can you please explain to me how you can see all of those things? Please do not take this as an argument but all of the numbers match. The bluing appears original, the wood.....what is the clue there?

....it is a mis-matched:
Receiver (not frame) is numbered 3741, sear bears #41... rest of parts marked with #65

...re-barreled:
The barrel length is not consistent with any 1937 Mauser production

...re-blued:
Polishing is evident on the proof marks

...shooter:
Maybe we don't know that (unless you test fire it)

...with incorrect grips:
They are not original pattern

...perhaps in the $700 range:
That's an approximate value

Jack

Steve H44 · 08-20-2009, 09:54 AM

Thank you all VERY MUCH. I have been around guns since 1955 and have never gotten around a Luger. Goes to prove you still can teach an OLD dog new tricks. You are all gentlemen for helping.

Thanks again

Steve

Edward Tinker · 08-20-2009, 10:21 AM

if I had this, I bet I could get closer to $900 for it (although I'd want to buy it for $600-$700

)

Folks like the longer barrel, but not too long for fun shooting....

Ed

John Sabato · 08-20-2009, 10:27 AM

All that above said... it is still in fine mechanical condition and has plenty of finish left so it will be a great shooting gun... Mauser production was very high quality stuff right up to the end of the war...

BTW, the chip missing in the left grip near the safetly lever can be repaired so it doesn't even show that it ever happened. See member HUGH for grip work. You won't be disappointed.

Very good explanation in detail of all the visual anomalies Jack!

policeluger · 08-20-2009, 10:43 AM

I guesss everyone said it for me......

alanint · 08-20-2009, 10:43 AM

Also, Caliber has not come up. We don't actually know that this is a 9mm.

Steve H44 · 08-20-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Also, Caliber has not come up. We don't actually know that this is a 9mm.

I did load the mag with a few 9mm's & hand cycled them thru. Would I be correct in assuming that it is a 9? they cycled fine.

Edward Tinker · 08-20-2009, 10:52 AM

yes, a 9mm would fit, a 7.65mm would feel loose, and vice versa, if it was a 7.65mm, the 9mm would not fit in at all.

Its best to use snap caps for most older guns, both for safety and for saving the firing pin from damage

Ed

policeluger · 08-20-2009, 11:24 AM

NO......both will fit chamber and may not feel loose because of case body size......check at muzzle with an EMPTY chamber.....30 cal will fit inside muzzle, 9mm will not if gun is 9mm

John Sabato · 08-20-2009, 04:11 PM

Wait... a 9mm loaded round will fit in a 7.65MM chamber and allow the toggle to close?

Are you positive H?

policeluger · 08-20-2009, 04:19 PM

No.....never said toggle will close, sorry if I alluded to that and thansk for look out here...

lugerholsterrepair · 08-20-2009, 06:10 PM

There is a MUCH simpler way. Most people cannot come up with both types of ammo..Get a common pencil...On a .30 Luger the metal end with the rubber erasure will be a tight fit. On a 9mm it will be really loose.

PoliceLugers right too. At the muzzle end a .30 will fit to the case rim in the muzzle..with a .30 Luger round. If it's a 9mm you can see right away.

If you try to chamber a 9MM in a 30.... the toggle will in no way come close to closing.

Not all that hard to figure out really.

Jerry Burney

03-Oden · 08-21-2009, 02:48 AM

Why not just measure the bore?

:

policeluger · 08-21-2009, 09:43 AM

Jerry covered it in a very simple way, not everyone may have a way to measure bore, I bet everyone has a pencil..........

Jack Lawman · 08-21-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by policeluger

...I bet everyone has a pencil..........

You might be surprised, I'm not sure some of the people I run into even know what a pencil is... let alone what to do with it. Doubtful they own any lugers though.

Jack

08-19-2009, 11:09 PM	#1
Steve H44 New User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New to this Hello all, I have been around guns since the mid 1950's but never have I handled a Luger. A few days ago a good friend brought over some guns for me to look at. One is a P.08 Luger. There is what I think is a date stamped across the top of the receiver, 1937. There are at least five places marked on the gun with the number 65. What I think is the serial number is on the receiver and the last two digits of the s/n are on another part of the receiver. The barrel is 7" long and there are pen "dents" on the bottom of the barrel the line up with the receiver. I have been told that this means the barrel is original to the receiver. The bluing show age but no rust nor scratches nor pitting. The wood is in GREAT condition. What is the best way to determine the value of the gun quickly? My friend is facing foreclosure. I am not using this forum as an ad, I'm just asking for what direction to go. I'll try to post some photos below. Thanks in advance, Steve H44 Attached Thumbnails

08-20-2009, 10:21 AM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	if I had this, I bet I could get closer to $900 for it (although I'd want to buy it for $600-$700 ) Folks like the longer barrel, but not too long for fun shooting.... 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

08-20-2009, 10:27 AM	#8
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	All that above said... it is still in fine mechanical condition and has plenty of finish left so it will be a great shooting gun... Mauser production was very high quality stuff right up to the end of the war... BTW, the chip missing in the left grip near the safetly lever can be repaired so it doesn't even show that it ever happened. See member HUGH for grip work. You won't be disappointed. Very good explanation in detail of all the visual anomalies Jack! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

08-20-2009, 10:52 AM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	yes, a 9mm would fit, a 7.65mm would feel loose, and vice versa, if it was a 7.65mm, the 9mm would not fit in at all. Its best to use snap caps for most older guns, both for safety and for saving the firing pin from damage 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

08-20-2009, 04:11 PM	#14
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,153 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Wait... a 9mm loaded round will fit in a 7.65MM chamber and allow the toggle to close? Are you positive H? __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

08-20-2009, 02:25 AM	#2
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Sorry, I don't think this gun will save anyone from foreclosure....it is a mis-matched, re-barreled, re-blued shooter,with incorrect grips, perhaps in the $700 range.......

08-20-2009, 08:51 AM	#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: 7,005 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 5,139 Times in 1,689 Posts	The grips are Italian made reproductions in the bordered Swiss pattern. A 1937 Luger was made by Mauser for the military and was never produced with a 7" barrel. Does the barrel have a serial number and proof marks?,,,it should. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

08-20-2009, 09:54 AM	#6
Steve H44 New User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you all VERY MUCH. I have been around guns since 1955 and have never gotten around a Luger. Goes to prove you still can teach an OLD dog new tricks. You are all gentlemen for helping. Thanks again Steve

08-20-2009, 10:43 AM	#9
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	I guesss everyone said it for me......

08-20-2009, 10:43 AM	#10
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Also, Caliber has not come up. We don't actually know that this is a 9mm.

08-20-2009, 11:24 AM	#13
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	NO......both will fit chamber and may not feel loose because of case body size......check at muzzle with an EMPTY chamber.....30 cal will fit inside muzzle, 9mm will not if gun is 9mm

08-20-2009, 04:19 PM	#15
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	No.....never said toggle will close, sorry if I alluded to that and thansk for look out here...

08-20-2009, 06:10 PM	#16
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,766 Thanks: 4,883 Thanked 3,121 Times in 1,432 Posts	There is a MUCH simpler way. Most people cannot come up with both types of ammo..Get a common pencil...On a .30 Luger the metal end with the rubber erasure will be a tight fit. On a 9mm it will be really loose. PoliceLugers right too. At the muzzle end a .30 will fit to the case rim in the muzzle..with a .30 Luger round. If it's a 9mm you can see right away. If you try to chamber a 9MM in a 30.... the toggle will in no way come close to closing. Not all that hard to figure out really. 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."

08-21-2009, 02:48 AM	#17
03-Oden User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 14 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Why not just measure the bore? : __________________ DonO

08-21-2009, 09:43 AM	#18
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Jerry covered it in a very simple way, not everyone may have a way to measure bore, I bet everyone has a pencil..........