Dad's Luger

mak · 10-11-2006, 10:27 PM

I would like to share the story of the Luger that got me hooked.

When I was a kid all of my neighborhood friends would gather at my parent's house and watch re-runs of old war movies or tv shows. In a great deal of these shows the Luger pistol proved prominent. I also owned a toy Luger.

One day when I was 10 or so I asked my dad if he knew anyone with a Luger. He sort of half grinned at me and said "yes". Exited I hounded him to tell me who and to take me to their house right now to see the Luger. Dad being a good sport said OK but we need to stop by your grandmother's house first. Impatient as I was I wanted to see the pistol now. He instructed me to come inside with him for a second.

We then went up to his old room at my grandmother's house. He opened up a dresser droor and unwrapped a red shop rag. Wrapped in the rag was a Luger pistol. I flipped. My dad owned a real Luger. I was now the coolest kid in the neighborhood.

Dad them went into the story of how he got the gun. In high school he worked summers on our hometown docks. One day he was assigned to the local sugar dock. A german merchant vessel was in port loading sugar. Dad was cleaning up an area when a german sailor approached him and wanted some american money and then produced a luger. Dad at first thought the german was robbing him. The sailer said nein...nein..... I want to sell this pistol. Dad then asked the german what he wanted for it. The german didn't know what kind of price to put on the gun. Dad then told the german that he made $37.00 a week (1956 wages). The german then replied that he would take $37.00 for the gun. Dad then told the german to meet him back at the spot in 1 hour. Dad went home for lunch and got $37.00. Sure enough the german returned to the spot with the pistol in a paper sack.

The pistol ended up being a 1908 commercial SN 3973X in excellent condition.

It's to this day my favorite Luger.

Edward Tinker · 10-11-2006, 10:42 PM

Very cool, great story,

ed

Dwight Gruber · 10-12-2006, 12:13 AM

Mark,

This is a great story, and a very interesting Luger. The serial number makes it among the very earliest 1908 Commercials, the earliest I have in my database is sn 39142. It would be very nice to see pictures.

I am keeping a database of Commercial Lugers, would it be possible to know the full serial number, the caliber, and if the pistol has crown/B,U,G proofs?

If you don't want to release the serial number publicly, feel free to email me dwightg@pacifier.com

Thanks, and congratulations on a very special Luger.

--Dwight

10-11-2006, 10:27 PM	#1
mak User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 22 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dad's Luger I would like to share the story of the Luger that got me hooked. When I was a kid all of my neighborhood friends would gather at my parent's house and watch re-runs of old war movies or tv shows. In a great deal of these shows the Luger pistol proved prominent. I also owned a toy Luger. One day when I was 10 or so I asked my dad if he knew anyone with a Luger. He sort of half grinned at me and said "yes". Exited I hounded him to tell me who and to take me to their house right now to see the Luger. Dad being a good sport said OK but we need to stop by your grandmother's house first. Impatient as I was I wanted to see the pistol now. He instructed me to come inside with him for a second. We then went up to his old room at my grandmother's house. He opened up a dresser droor and unwrapped a red shop rag. Wrapped in the rag was a Luger pistol. I flipped. My dad owned a real Luger. I was now the coolest kid in the neighborhood. Dad them went into the story of how he got the gun. In high school he worked summers on our hometown docks. One day he was assigned to the local sugar dock. A german merchant vessel was in port loading sugar. Dad was cleaning up an area when a german sailor approached him and wanted some american money and then produced a luger. Dad at first thought the german was robbing him. The sailer said nein...nein..... I want to sell this pistol. Dad then asked the german what he wanted for it. The german didn't know what kind of price to put on the gun. Dad then told the german that he made $37.00 a week (1956 wages). The german then replied that he would take $37.00 for the gun. Dad then told the german to meet him back at the spot in 1 hour. Dad went home for lunch and got $37.00. Sure enough the german returned to the spot with the pistol in a paper sack. The pistol ended up being a 1908 commercial SN 3973X in excellent condition. It's to this day my favorite Luger.

10-11-2006, 10:42 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Very cool, great story, 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

10-12-2006, 12:13 AM	#3
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Mark, This is a great story, and a very interesting Luger. The serial number makes it among the very earliest 1908 Commercials, the earliest I have in my database is sn 39142. It would be very nice to see pictures. I am keeping a database of Commercial Lugers, would it be possible to know the full serial number, the caliber, and if the pistol has crown/B,U,G proofs? If you don't want to release the serial number publicly, feel free to email me dwightg@pacifier.com Thanks, and congratulations on a very special Luger. --Dwight