What kind of snail drum do I have & what is its value?

Bill_in_fl · 07-11-2009, 01:53 PM

I recently acquired this snail drum. The serial number is 506984
I'd like to find out its value and sell it. Can anyone tell me what it's worth?

Mauser720 · 07-11-2009, 02:35 PM

Bill -

FGS Firearms (a reputable dealer) has a Type II drum magazine (like yours) in very good condition for $1,750.00.

However, that would be considered the "retail" price that a dealer is going to get.

I think collectors would like to find one for about $1,200 to $1,500. There are a lot of factors to consider, including but not limited to condition, and how much someone is actually willing to spend, etc.

But at least this hopefully gives you some idea of its value.

Mauser720 - Ron

lugerholsterrepair · 07-11-2009, 03:10 PM

Buyers of snail drums should be VERY cautious. I have found several that have been bent and will not actually fit into a Luger pistol. Some that will not accept the full compliment of cartridges and some that jam up and will not feed.
So..if you are planning to shoot the drum it is best to ask some pertinant questions of the seller before shelling out over a thousand bucks for one.
If you just want it to look pretty..buy a Tanaka.

One that fits, loads & fires correctly is worth a premium.

Jerry Burney

tenbears · 07-11-2009, 05:21 PM

I'm wondering why their is not a B over a N on this drum. Bing made most of these and I have always seen the BN on the one's I have handled.

George Anderson · 07-11-2009, 05:42 PM

Gebruder Bing was the only maker of the second type Trommelmagazin as shown. It should be marked "B" over "N". There are a few long detailed threads on this forum regarding the TM08's.

tenbears · 07-11-2009, 07:27 PM

Bill;
I noticed that you have this drum for sale over on gunboards. I would not buy it without the B/N.

Vlim · 07-12-2009, 08:10 AM

Hi,

Mine, 698986 (nice number) has the B/N on both the front AND the back lid.
It's fully functional, tested in a 1917 LP08 with 20 rounds of ammunition (the best I did without loading tool).

the gunman · 07-12-2009, 09:12 AM

Hi Vlim how did you manage to get 20 rds in with out a tool. I have a couple of these could never gey more than 14 rds in . Must be those strong dutch fingers.

Regards Richie

sheepherder · 07-12-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the gunman

Must be those strong dutch fingers...

It's from all those leaky dikes...

Vlim · 07-12-2009, 12:12 PM

Hehehe,

Nah, I just cheated and used a screwdriver against the cartridge rim to force them down

07-11-2009, 01:53 PM	#1
Bill_in_fl User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 22 Thanks: 20 Thanked 15 Times in 7 Posts	What kind of snail drum do I have & what is its value? I recently acquired this snail drum. The serial number is 506984 I'd like to find out its value and sell it. Can anyone tell me what it's worth?

07-11-2009, 03:10 PM	#3
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,762 Thanks: 4,863 Thanked 3,102 Times in 1,428 Posts	Buyers of snail drums should be VERY cautious. I have found several that have been bent and will not actually fit into a Luger pistol. Some that will not accept the full compliment of cartridges and some that jam up and will not feed. So..if you are planning to shoot the drum it is best to ask some pertinant questions of the seller before shelling out over a thousand bucks for one. If you just want it to look pretty..buy a Tanaka. One that fits, loads & fires correctly is worth a premium. 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."

07-11-2009, 02:35 PM	#2
Mauser720 User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 535 Thanks: 18 Thanked 49 Times in 33 Posts	Bill - FGS Firearms (a reputable dealer) has a Type II drum magazine (like yours) in very good condition for $1,750.00. However, that would be considered the "retail" price that a dealer is going to get. I think collectors would like to find one for about $1,200 to $1,500. There are a lot of factors to consider, including but not limited to condition, and how much someone is actually willing to spend, etc. But at least this hopefully gives you some idea of its value. Mauser720 - Ron

07-11-2009, 05:21 PM	#4
tenbears User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 370 Thanks: 3 Thanked 26 Times in 15 Posts	I'm wondering why their is not a B over a N on this drum. Bing made most of these and I have always seen the BN on the one's I have handled.

07-11-2009, 05:42 PM	#5
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Gebruder Bing was the only maker of the second type Trommelmagazin as shown. It should be marked "B" over "N". There are a few long detailed threads on this forum regarding the TM08's.

07-11-2009, 07:27 PM	#6
tenbears User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 370 Thanks: 3 Thanked 26 Times in 15 Posts	Bill; I noticed that you have this drum for sale over on gunboards. I would not buy it without the B/N.

07-12-2009, 08:10 AM	#7
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,043 Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 3,932 Times in 1,194 Posts	Hi, Mine, 698986 (nice number) has the B/N on both the front AND the back lid. It's fully functional, tested in a 1917 LP08 with 20 rounds of ammunition (the best I did without loading tool).

07-12-2009, 09:12 AM	#8
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Hi Vlim how did you manage to get 20 rds in with out a tool. I have a couple of these could never gey more than 14 rds in . Must be those strong dutch fingers. Regards Richie

07-12-2009, 12:12 PM	#10
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,043 Thanks: 1,032 Thanked 3,932 Times in 1,194 Posts	Hehehe, Nah, I just cheated and used a screwdriver against the cartridge rim to force them down