Vet Bring Back Mauser Luger

pauly · 10-13-2020, 08:24 AM

I have a chance to purchase this Mauser Luger any thoughts on the condition and value from the more knowledgeable members here?
I know the left side is in rougher shape, supposedly that side was sitting in the mud when it was found?

I hope the pics attach!

Thanks
Paul

lugerholsterrepair · 10-13-2020, 12:07 PM

$7-800 tops.

gunnertwo · 10-13-2020, 04:54 PM

Good news- it's a Banner, the rest, not so good. Pricing is the question. Looks like a good candidate for restoration but that will not be cheap. Hopefully it is all matching.

G2

lugerholsterrepair · 10-13-2020, 05:19 PM

There is lots of info missing...information added could affect pricing..but from what I see so far..If you are trying to make an offer..I wouldn't overpay on what I see here.

tharpo · 10-13-2020, 07:19 PM

No date or serial numbers? With strawed parts, some kind of commercial or parts put together?

pauly · 10-13-2020, 07:28 PM

The serial number under the barrel is 1560. I do have a few more photos I can up load tomorrow morning.

Thanks for the info and help so far.

Paul

mrerick · 10-13-2020, 07:40 PM

The finish is damaged enough to put it into "shooter" status for most collectors.

If it's a particularly rare commercial Luger, that could change valuation. Is there a date over the chamber?

It's got a 1940-1942 era magazine in it.

So, as a shooter without further information, I'd agree with Jerry's estimate.

pauly · 10-13-2020, 07:51 PM

There is no date on the top front of the receiver. I’ll post the rest of the photos I have in the morning. Our internet here is slow, real slow so it will be better to send from work.

Thanks
Paul

Thor · 10-14-2020, 11:27 AM

Crown over U is a Mauser Commercial proof so I agree with the other posters. The front shot I saw of the frame serial appears to show a letter suffix but I could not tell the letter. Any ideas or better pics of the suffix? Also is it a 9mm or 30 Luger? No "P08" on left frame flat so it is a pre 41 production frame

Lugerdoc · 10-14-2020, 12:17 PM

The CCU proofing would indicate pre-1940 production. The suffix letter of the serial would help to identify whether a police or foreign contract banner luger. TH

Ron Wood · 10-14-2020, 12:20 PM

It is a darned shame about that left side as otherwise it is a beautiful piece.
Ron

pauly · 10-14-2020, 12:31 PM

I’ll get some more photos up in a bit. It appears to be all matching.
The person will not budge off $1000.

pauly · 10-14-2020, 01:01 PM

Here are some more photos

spangy · 10-14-2020, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

It is a darned shame about that left side as otherwise it is a beautiful piece.
Ron

I agree with Ron ... the piece would be a beautiful piece but for it laying in ???? for part of its life.

I would love to restore this piece ... would be a fun project.

pauly · 10-14-2020, 01:54 PM

The back story. A US armored unit was taking a town when they encountered fierce resistance resulting in casualties on both sides. As the fighting ended and the Americans advanced their progress was halted again by a sniper. The sniper was taken out and the unit advanced. One of the armored units soldiers saw this pistol in the hand of a dead officer, the left side of the pistol laying in a muddy puddle.
Not sure a few days in a puddle of mud would do this type of damage? Maybe some blood as well?

Ron Wood · 10-14-2020, 02:00 PM

That gun is so nice I would be tempted to contact Ted Green (Thor) to see what he could do to restore the left side.
Ron

spangy · 10-14-2020, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauly

One of the armored units soldiers saw this pistol in the hand of a dead officer, the left side of the pistol laying in a muddy puddle.
Not sure a few days in a puddle of mud would do this type of damage? Maybe some blood as well?

This amount of corrosion was not caused by a few days in a muddy puddle ... IMO more like months of neglect in an improper storage situation IE: in some wet cardboard box at the back of the garage with the leaky roof ... or in a box in the corner of a damp basement prone to flooding in the spring or heavy rain showers.

Wait until you take the grips off and look at the frame and inside components, something you must insist on doing BEFORE buying this gun. Have Fun whatever you do. This gun very much reminds me of my last restoration and you won't know how much of an effort will be needed until you look inside but as far as exterior corrosion goes Ive seen worse.

tharpo · 10-14-2020, 03:52 PM

Serial number 1560v. The gun looks to be consistent with others in that serial number range in Joop's data on the other Forum. No chamber date, C/U, small Banner, and no proof marks on receiver.
Very interesting!

Doubs · 10-14-2020, 04:21 PM

The old adage "buy the gun and not the story" is very much in play here IMO. I agree with Spangy that a few days in muddy water would not cause that much corrosion unless there was a chemical in that water. The first thing the troop who recovered it would have done is clean and oil it.

I'd also want a look at the bore as a few days without cleaning if corrosive cartridges had been fired through it would cause damage.

If you buy the gun, buy it for what you see and not for any story that comes with it.

pauly · 10-14-2020, 05:47 PM

I’m working on getting a better photo or a verbal confirmation on the letter below the barrel. The owner says it is a 30 Luger.
While stories are cool they will not be the reason I buy the pistol.
Seems like these have some sort of addictive trait to them!
Thanks for all the info so far.
Paul

10-13-2020, 08:24 AM	#1
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 263 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	Vet Bring Back Mauser Luger I have a chance to purchase this Mauser Luger any thoughts on the condition and value from the more knowledgeable members here? I know the left side is in rougher shape, supposedly that side was sitting in the mud when it was found? I hope the pics attach! Thanks Paul Attached Thumbnails

10-13-2020, 12:07 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	$7-800 tops. __________________ 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."

10-13-2020, 05:19 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	There is lots of info missing...information added could affect pricing..but from what I see so far..If you are trying to make an offer..I wouldn't overpay on what I see here. __________________ 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."

10-13-2020, 07:40 PM	#7
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	The finish is damaged enough to put it into "shooter" status for most collectors. If it's a particularly rare commercial Luger, that could change valuation. Is there a date over the chamber? It's got a 1940-1942 era magazine in it. So, as a shooter without further information, I'd agree with Jerry's estimate. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-14-2020, 11:27 AM	#9
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Crown over U is a Mauser Commercial proof so I agree with the other posters. The front shot I saw of the frame serial appears to show a letter suffix but I could not tell the letter. Any ideas or better pics of the suffix? Also is it a 9mm or 30 Luger? No "P08" on left frame flat so it is a pre 41 production frame __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

10-13-2020, 04:54 PM	#3
gunnertwo User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 605 Thanks: 803 Thanked 909 Times in 351 Posts	Good news- it's a Banner, the rest, not so good. Pricing is the question. Looks like a good candidate for restoration but that will not be cheap. Hopefully it is all matching. G2

10-13-2020, 07:19 PM	#5
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 536 Thanks: 116 Thanked 375 Times in 153 Posts	No date or serial numbers? With strawed parts, some kind of commercial or parts put together?

10-13-2020, 07:28 PM	#6
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 263 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	The serial number under the barrel is 1560. I do have a few more photos I can up load tomorrow morning. Thanks for the info and help so far. Paul

10-13-2020, 07:51 PM	#8
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 263 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	There is no date on the top front of the receiver. I’ll post the rest of the photos I have in the morning. Our internet here is slow, real slow so it will be better to send from work. Thanks Paul

10-14-2020, 12:17 PM	#10
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	The CCU proofing would indicate pre-1940 production. The suffix letter of the serial would help to identify whether a police or foreign contract banner luger. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

10-14-2020, 12:20 PM	#11
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: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	It is a darned shame about that left side as otherwise it is a beautiful piece. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

10-14-2020, 12:31 PM	#12
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 263 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	I’ll get some more photos up in a bit. It appears to be all matching. The person will not budge off $1000.

10-14-2020, 01:01 PM	#13
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 263 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	Here are some more photos Attached Thumbnails

10-14-2020, 01:54 PM	#15
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 263 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	The back story. A US armored unit was taking a town when they encountered fierce resistance resulting in casualties on both sides. As the fighting ended and the Americans advanced their progress was halted again by a sniper. The sniper was taken out and the unit advanced. One of the armored units soldiers saw this pistol in the hand of a dead officer, the left side of the pistol laying in a muddy puddle. Not sure a few days in a puddle of mud would do this type of damage? Maybe some blood as well?

10-14-2020, 02:00 PM	#16
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: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	That gun is so nice I would be tempted to contact Ted Green (Thor) to see what he could do to restore the left side. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

10-14-2020, 03:52 PM	#18
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 536 Thanks: 116 Thanked 375 Times in 153 Posts	Serial number 1560v. The gun looks to be consistent with others in that serial number range in Joop's data on the other Forum. No chamber date, C/U, small Banner, and no proof marks on receiver. Very interesting!

10-14-2020, 04:21 PM	#19
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 769 Thanked 1,611 Times in 525 Posts	The old adage "buy the gun and not the story" is very much in play here IMO. I agree with Spangy that a few days in muddy water would not cause that much corrosion unless there was a chemical in that water. The first thing the troop who recovered it would have done is clean and oil it. I'd also want a look at the bore as a few days without cleaning if corrosive cartridges had been fired through it would cause damage. If you buy the gun, buy it for what you see and not for any story that comes with it.

10-14-2020, 05:47 PM	#20
pauly User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 94 Thanks: 263 Thanked 45 Times in 25 Posts	I’m working on getting a better photo or a verbal confirmation on the letter below the barrel. The owner says it is a 30 Luger. While stories are cool they will not be the reason I buy the pistol. Seems like these have some sort of addictive trait to them! Thanks for all the info so far. Paul