My Father's Luger

unterhund · 01-26-2007, 01:53 PM

Hello to my new friends. I ask your indulgence of this new guy and allow me to post what I know of the story behind the only Luger I own.

My late father was a career officer in the U.S. Army, Infantry. He was drafted in the Spring of 1941 and served with distinction in the Pacific Theater as a platoon leader in the 17th Infantry Regiment of the Seventh Division. He saw action from the Aleutian Islands, to the Marshall Islands, the Philippines, and Okinawa. After VJ Day, his unit was sent to Korea to oversee the surrender and disarmanent of Japanese forces there. Dad returned home to Maine for Thanksgiving of 1945, married my mom, and settled down to a cvilian life. He became a professional photographer, and also worked part-time at a sporting goods store. There he found a Luger pistol on consignment sale, probably a wartime trophy brought to America by a G.I. Lured by the mystique of the Luger that we all on this forum know, he bought it.

Dad was recalled by the Army during the Korean War, and served on active duty until his retirement in April of 1968. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and was highly decorated. The only award he truly prized was his Combat Infantryman's Badge.

He was hardly a flamboyant man. Indeed, he was rather modest. He did project a quiet but impressive command presence, which served him well in various assignments, including company commander in Germany in the early fifties, and again in Germany ten years later as a battalion commander of a "combat ready" infantry unit of the Third Division.

His one great indulgence as an officer was the carrying of that Luger as his personal sidearm. He was always sure to have it approved, and recorded by the Provost Marshal. He carried it in a WWII era G.I. shoulder holster.

After his retirement, he wrapped the weapon in an oily cloth and only took it out to field strip and re-oil it.

The pistol is apparently a standard four inch barrelled, 9mm variant. It has the markings of "1936" over the breech, and "S/42" on the toggle. All appropriate parts are numbered and matching. The grips are a very dark brown, almost black, probably from being wrapped in that cloth all these years. Dad had a German gunsmith in the early sixties re-blue the pistol. Collectors today would disapprove, but for Dad, this was a working gun. Besides, any collector value the weapon had before re-bluing would be miniscule compared to the sentimental value it has for me. The gunsmith admired the pistol very much, and did a fine job, except that he removed all the strawing, and even put a "jeweled" finish (like the inside of a watch case) on the trigger, the safety bar, and the numbered part in front of the safety bar. The mag release he blued. The "gesichert" lettering was also blued.

I would like to shoot this piece, and restore the strawing, and the grips. If anyone here has any thoughts on this piece, I'd appreciate it.

The accessories I have include: two magazines with wooden bottoms, a German holster modified for a snap closure, an original loading tool, that G.I. shoulder holster, the provost marshal paperwork from both tours in Germany, and a box of Peters ammo, 124 grain, full metal case. I also have a handful of blanks that Dad loaded when on manuevers.

Dad died in August of 1945, a week and a half from his 76th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII. The gun is mine now. I have a number of guns in my collection. Several have come and gone over the years, but this Luger will remain mine, and be passed down to my descendants.

I include a couple pictures below. I again thank this forum for allowing me to tell this story, and I look forward to any comments.

unterhund · 01-26-2007, 01:54 PM

Another photo:

lboos · 01-26-2007, 03:15 PM

what a great story, and a nice looking luger. i also have a 1936 S/42 it has the org. blue and straw,d parts. there are some pic,s of it below your post. under my new gun. your dad sure had a great military career. and it,s not often we end up with a weapon our father carred while in the military. i can see why you would never part with it. thanks for the story and pic.s. LB

Edward Tinker · 01-27-2007, 01:31 AM

I think I'd leave it as it is. The "value" has already been changed by being reblued and the jeweling. that said, dad liked it that way and carried it that way, so to me, I'd leave it alone.

ed

wworker · 01-27-2007, 07:16 AM

unterhund, your dad's story is very similiar to my father-in-law's life. My father-in-law entered the Army during WWII and was later recalled to active duty during the Korean war.

My father-in-law served in Europe during both conflicts, but didn't bring back any Lugers. I'm sure he saw plenty of them though as he was injured during an accidential blast while loading up German munitions. He lost hearing in his left ear as a result, but due to his being bent over at the time, that's all he lost. The other guys with him were killed.

He did bring back a VZ-24 rifle from Europe of which was given to my wife after he passed away in 1999. This rifle will be given to my son when he's old enough to appreciate it.

You have a nice Luger with a great story. Be sure to write down all you know about it as well as your dad's story too. These stories will complement the Luger and add to its value.

DaveinTN · 01-27-2007, 11:49 AM

Very well written and touching account of your father and his pistol.

I'll side with Ed. The pistol in its current configuration is how your father wanted it and you should leave it that way out of respect for him.

What you SHOULD DO for yourself is buy a lower cost pistol with a poor finish and then fix it up HOW YOU WOULD LIKE IT.

Thanks again for sharing your story.

Dave in TN.

unterhund · 01-31-2007, 03:47 PM

My friends, I appreciate your comments. I have recalled a couple more memories of my Dad and his Luger.

Although he was a professional soldier, my Dad was never a "gun nut." He was qualified on every small arm the Army issued during his service, and most likely a few more non-issue weapons. But he never had a particular interest in plinking, or hunting, or collecting. He kept that Luger secured from me, which was probably not a good idea. I remember being fascinated by that gun, and once, when I was alone in the house, I managed to find it. It's a gun owner's nightmare--your weapon in the hands of an unsupervised child. But I was in awe of it, and after handling it, I wrapped it up in that oily rag and put it back.

The next time I went looking for it, it was gone, hidden in some new place. My fingerprints had probably given me away. In retrospect, my Dad should have taken me to a range and let me shoot it. That might have reduced some of the "forbidden fruit" aspect, and taught me to respect its power.

The only time I can remember that Dad had it in his hand, ready to use it, was when our neighbor was burglarized in the middle of the night. The thief was gone, but my Dad had suddenly produced that pistol, and the look on his face told me he was willing and able to confront any intruder.

Near the end of his life, Dad took me out to the garage to show me some memorabilia from his service. At that time, he stunned me by revealing a secret he had kept for over thirty years. During his tour in Korea in the late fifties, and later in Germany in the early sixties, he had performed secret assignments which he had never described to anyone, not even my Mom. In Korea, he more than once went across the DMZ to confirm some small detail of a defector's information. He performed additional intelligence duties that he did not detail to me. In Germany, before our family joined him, before his assignment to a regular battalion, he went to Czechoslavakia in civilian clothes, to test Soviet border security. On these missions, he carried a hidden dagger, which I now have, and his Luger, which was "sterile."

Needless to say, these revelations stunned me. He showed me a little vague documentation of these activities, and how he carried his dagger and Luger concealed. I was too shocked to ask questions.

Now he's gone, and he carried a lot of secrets to his grave. He kept quiet because of modesty, and the burden of never telling my mother. How could he tell her these things thirty years later? He had also been sworn to secrecy by his government, and was not going to violate that trust. He only told me a little of it, because I was his only son, and his days were numbered. I'm sure he was not the only old soldier that kept some terrible truths from his loved ones.

This is the first time I have shared these memories, all brought on by contemplating my father's Luger. I thank this forum once again for allowing me to recall a special man and a special gun.

Steve71 · 01-31-2007, 04:49 PM

Awesome story. If you don't already have one, get a large gun safe for that luger. "It can never be replaced". You want a safe that can't be packed off and later opened up by the bad guys. It is amazing how many guns like yours are stored under beds and in closets only to be ripped off, lost in a fire or even lost.

I know of a guy that was storing his dad's war diary in a public storage unit. Yep, it got ripped and it is gone forever!

Take care,

Steve

Navy · 01-31-2007, 09:08 PM

That gun, with your family history, is a treasure you must record and pass along to those who follow you.

Tom A

wlyon · 01-31-2007, 10:24 PM

Agree with Tom. Along with keeping this family treasure make sure to write up everything you know about it and your fathers service. I only wish I had written down more of my fathers history(WW1 vet). He didn't talk about it and like a dummy I didn't ask. Now its to late by 30 years. Please take my advise and do it now and put it where someone can find it. Future generations will thank you. Bill

c3006 · 02-01-2007, 07:17 AM

There is something disturbingly wrong when a man can serve his country for 33 years then be asked to turn in his personal firearms

davidkachel · 02-01-2007, 11:30 AM

unterhund,
I also would encase the Luger, dagger, shoulder holster and written history exactly as-is in some very safe place; and get another one for shooting.
There ain't a Luger in the world worth as much as the one you already have in exactly the condition it's in.
You might also wish to stipulate in your will that descendants cannot sell, alter, give away, barter or by any means dispose of it... kids will be kids. In my late teens I made a couple of very foolish decisions regarding a couple of guns I inherited and I wish now that someone had stopped me.

davidkachel · 02-01-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by c3006
There is something disturbingly wrong when a man can serve his country for 33 years then be asked to turn in his personal firearms

It's called a total lack of respect on the part of government for the governed.

tacfoley's signature says it all: 'When it's time to bury your guns, it's time to dig them up'

That ain't just a slogan!

01-26-2007, 01:53 PM	#1
unterhund User Join Date: May 2005 Location: A small town in Maine Posts: 13 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My Father's Luger Hello to my new friends. I ask your indulgence of this new guy and allow me to post what I know of the story behind the only Luger I own. My late father was a career officer in the U.S. Army, Infantry. He was drafted in the Spring of 1941 and served with distinction in the Pacific Theater as a platoon leader in the 17th Infantry Regiment of the Seventh Division. He saw action from the Aleutian Islands, to the Marshall Islands, the Philippines, and Okinawa. After VJ Day, his unit was sent to Korea to oversee the surrender and disarmanent of Japanese forces there. Dad returned home to Maine for Thanksgiving of 1945, married my mom, and settled down to a cvilian life. He became a professional photographer, and also worked part-time at a sporting goods store. There he found a Luger pistol on consignment sale, probably a wartime trophy brought to America by a G.I. Lured by the mystique of the Luger that we all on this forum know, he bought it. Dad was recalled by the Army during the Korean War, and served on active duty until his retirement in April of 1968. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and was highly decorated. The only award he truly prized was his Combat Infantryman's Badge. He was hardly a flamboyant man. Indeed, he was rather modest. He did project a quiet but impressive command presence, which served him well in various assignments, including company commander in Germany in the early fifties, and again in Germany ten years later as a battalion commander of a "combat ready" infantry unit of the Third Division. His one great indulgence as an officer was the carrying of that Luger as his personal sidearm. He was always sure to have it approved, and recorded by the Provost Marshal. He carried it in a WWII era G.I. shoulder holster. After his retirement, he wrapped the weapon in an oily cloth and only took it out to field strip and re-oil it. The pistol is apparently a standard four inch barrelled, 9mm variant. It has the markings of "1936" over the breech, and "S/42" on the toggle. All appropriate parts are numbered and matching. The grips are a very dark brown, almost black, probably from being wrapped in that cloth all these years. Dad had a German gunsmith in the early sixties re-blue the pistol. Collectors today would disapprove, but for Dad, this was a working gun. Besides, any collector value the weapon had before re-bluing would be miniscule compared to the sentimental value it has for me. The gunsmith admired the pistol very much, and did a fine job, except that he removed all the strawing, and even put a "jeweled" finish (like the inside of a watch case) on the trigger, the safety bar, and the numbered part in front of the safety bar. The mag release he blued. The "gesichert" lettering was also blued. I would like to shoot this piece, and restore the strawing, and the grips. If anyone here has any thoughts on this piece, I'd appreciate it. The accessories I have include: two magazines with wooden bottoms, a German holster modified for a snap closure, an original loading tool, that G.I. shoulder holster, the provost marshal paperwork from both tours in Germany, and a box of Peters ammo, 124 grain, full metal case. I also have a handful of blanks that Dad loaded when on manuevers. Dad died in August of 1945, a week and a half from his 76th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII. The gun is mine now. I have a number of guns in my collection. Several have come and gone over the years, but this Luger will remain mine, and be passed down to my descendants. I include a couple pictures below. I again thank this forum for allowing me to tell this story, and I look forward to any comments. Attached Thumbnails __________________ In danger, all that counts is going forward.

01-26-2007, 01:54 PM	#2
unterhund User Join Date: May 2005 Location: A small town in Maine Posts: 13 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another photo: Attached Thumbnails __________________ In danger, all that counts is going forward.

01-27-2007, 01:31 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	I think I'd leave it as it is. The "value" has already been changed by being reblued and the jeweling. that said, dad liked it that way and carried it that way, so to me, I'd leave it alone. 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

01-31-2007, 03:47 PM	#7
unterhund User Join Date: May 2005 Location: A small town in Maine Posts: 13 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My friends, I appreciate your comments. I have recalled a couple more memories of my Dad and his Luger. Although he was a professional soldier, my Dad was never a "gun nut." He was qualified on every small arm the Army issued during his service, and most likely a few more non-issue weapons. But he never had a particular interest in plinking, or hunting, or collecting. He kept that Luger secured from me, which was probably not a good idea. I remember being fascinated by that gun, and once, when I was alone in the house, I managed to find it. It's a gun owner's nightmare--your weapon in the hands of an unsupervised child. But I was in awe of it, and after handling it, I wrapped it up in that oily rag and put it back. The next time I went looking for it, it was gone, hidden in some new place. My fingerprints had probably given me away. In retrospect, my Dad should have taken me to a range and let me shoot it. That might have reduced some of the "forbidden fruit" aspect, and taught me to respect its power. The only time I can remember that Dad had it in his hand, ready to use it, was when our neighbor was burglarized in the middle of the night. The thief was gone, but my Dad had suddenly produced that pistol, and the look on his face told me he was willing and able to confront any intruder. Near the end of his life, Dad took me out to the garage to show me some memorabilia from his service. At that time, he stunned me by revealing a secret he had kept for over thirty years. During his tour in Korea in the late fifties, and later in Germany in the early sixties, he had performed secret assignments which he had never described to anyone, not even my Mom. In Korea, he more than once went across the DMZ to confirm some small detail of a defector's information. He performed additional intelligence duties that he did not detail to me. In Germany, before our family joined him, before his assignment to a regular battalion, he went to Czechoslavakia in civilian clothes, to test Soviet border security. On these missions, he carried a hidden dagger, which I now have, and his Luger, which was "sterile." Needless to say, these revelations stunned me. He showed me a little vague documentation of these activities, and how he carried his dagger and Luger concealed. I was too shocked to ask questions. Now he's gone, and he carried a lot of secrets to his grave. He kept quiet because of modesty, and the burden of never telling my mother. How could he tell her these things thirty years later? He had also been sworn to secrecy by his government, and was not going to violate that trust. He only told me a little of it, because I was his only son, and his days were numbered. I'm sure he was not the only old soldier that kept some terrible truths from his loved ones. This is the first time I have shared these memories, all brought on by contemplating my father's Luger. I thank this forum once again for allowing me to recall a special man and a special gun. __________________ In danger, all that counts is going forward.

01-31-2007, 04:49 PM	#8
Steve71 User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sumner, Wa. Posts: 130 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Awesome story. If you don't already have one, get a large gun safe for that luger. "It can never be replaced". You want a safe that can't be packed off and later opened up by the bad guys. It is amazing how many guns like yours are stored under beds and in closets only to be ripped off, lost in a fire or even lost. I know of a guy that was storing his dad's war diary in a public storage unit. Yep, it got ripped and it is gone forever! Take care, Steve __________________ "Hey soldier, don't forget to pick up the Lugers. Someday, they'll be worth a lot of money".

01-26-2007, 03:15 PM	#3
lboos User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ga. Posts: 69 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	what a great story, and a nice looking luger. i also have a 1936 S/42 it has the org. blue and straw,d parts. there are some pic,s of it below your post. under my new gun. your dad sure had a great military career. and it,s not often we end up with a weapon our father carred while in the military. i can see why you would never part with it. thanks for the story and pic.s. LB

01-27-2007, 07:16 AM	#5
wworker User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	unterhund, your dad's story is very similiar to my father-in-law's life. My father-in-law entered the Army during WWII and was later recalled to active duty during the Korean war. My father-in-law served in Europe during both conflicts, but didn't bring back any Lugers. I'm sure he saw plenty of them though as he was injured during an accidential blast while loading up German munitions. He lost hearing in his left ear as a result, but due to his being bent over at the time, that's all he lost. The other guys with him were killed. He did bring back a VZ-24 rifle from Europe of which was given to my wife after he passed away in 1999. This rifle will be given to my son when he's old enough to appreciate it. You have a nice Luger with a great story. Be sure to write down all you know about it as well as your dad's story too. These stories will complement the Luger and add to its value.

01-27-2007, 11:49 AM	#6
DaveinTN User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 186 Thanks: 3 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts	Very well written and touching account of your father and his pistol. I'll side with Ed. The pistol in its current configuration is how your father wanted it and you should leave it that way out of respect for him. What you SHOULD DO for yourself is buy a lower cost pistol with a poor finish and then fix it up HOW YOU WOULD LIKE IT. Thanks again for sharing your story. Dave in TN.

01-31-2007, 09:08 PM	#9
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	That gun, with your family history, is a treasure you must record and pass along to those who follow you. Tom A

01-31-2007, 10:24 PM	#10
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,655 Thanks: 3,212 Thanked 2,619 Times in 971 Posts	Agree with Tom. Along with keeping this family treasure make sure to write up everything you know about it and your fathers service. I only wish I had written down more of my fathers history(WW1 vet). He didn't talk about it and like a dummy I didn't ask. Now its to late by 30 years. Please take my advise and do it now and put it where someone can find it. Future generations will thank you. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

02-01-2007, 07:17 AM	#11
c3006 User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: east tn Posts: 526 Thanks: 5 Thanked 12 Times in 5 Posts	There is something disturbingly wrong when a man can serve his country for 33 years then be asked to turn in his personal firearms __________________ Men Accustomed unto thier arms and their liberties will never endure the yoke. James Harrington 1776

02-01-2007, 11:30 AM	#12
davidkachel User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 784 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	unterhund, I also would encase the Luger, dagger, shoulder holster and written history exactly as-is in some very safe place; and get another one for shooting. There ain't a Luger in the world worth as much as the one you already have in exactly the condition it's in. You might also wish to stipulate in your will that descendants cannot sell, alter, give away, barter or by any means dispose of it... kids will be kids. In my late teens I made a couple of very foolish decisions regarding a couple of guns I inherited and I wish now that someone had stopped me. __________________ A heroin habit would be cheaper.