How to identify this luger

kryan762 · 10-30-2010, 10:26 PM

Good Evening,

Found this in my mother in laws dresser. While I have several guns lugers and not my area of knowledge.

How do I go about determining a value on this ? Also when was it made.

Thanks in Advance

Kevin

sheepherder · 10-30-2010, 10:42 PM

Did she have it stored just like that??? With no sideplate???

Import marked, no military proofs...a 7.65mm commercial???

Odd handgun for a woman...Not a bringback...Wonder where/why she picked that up...

mrerick · 10-30-2010, 10:51 PM

It looks like it's probably in pretty good condition. With the sideplate, it's value could be $600-$700 for the right buyer.

This is a 1920 era Commercial Luger made by DWM. As postino mentioned, it is likely in 7.65 Luger caliber. If a common wood pencil will not fit in the barrel, it's a 7.65 rather than the 9mm (which was mostly for military pistols).

You really need to locate the sideplate. If you have it and are having difficulty re-installing it, you'll find reference material here.

Marc

kryan762 · 10-30-2010, 11:10 PM

Guys,
Thanks for the information. Yes it was stored just like that. My gut tells me it was her fathers as he had many many guns.
Is a side plate something that can be purchased at the right gun show ? Also does the side plate have a serial number that would need to match from a value standpoint ?

Ahh a side plate that would explain why the top will not close. The magazine seems to take a 30 caliber empty case no problem. Is that equil to a 7.65 ?

Thanks again.

FNorm · 10-30-2010, 11:45 PM

Kevin,

If the toggles are held up by an item we call the hold open, pull back on the toggles, with the magazine out, expect a tiny click and then it should close down. Then, as it is right now, with the takedown lever down (that's the thing just ahead of the trigger guard you should be able to slide the upper forward and off the frame.

The side plate is a mostly square thing with a lower extension. See some of the albums or 'technical Information', the illustrated parts list item 039. Inside that part 107 and 108.
FN

Edward Tinker · 10-30-2010, 11:55 PM

A couple of pointers;

1. The 'germany' marking is an export marking, it was required to meet US tarif laws showing country of origin.

2. 7.65mm is also known as 30 luger

Value is greatly affected by having a major mismatched part, so the value above ia bout right. WITH a matched part (look around for it) the value would be $800-1000 retail.

Ed

sheepherder · 10-31-2010, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kryan762

Is a side plate something that can be purchased at the right gun show ? Also does the side plate have a serial number that would need to match from a value standpoint ?

Here's a couple pics of my commercial 7.65 Luger, with sideplate off & installed...

They are numbered (usually) on the bottom of the sideplate, but there are un-numbered ones around...Sarco, Numrich, or Lugerdoc should be able to fix you up with a sideplate assembly (3 parts)...

Look around the house that Luger was in...It should be around someplace...

kryan762 · 10-31-2010, 03:14 PM

Thanks everyone this helps a ton. We will start the digging process.

MFC · 11-02-2010, 07:58 PM

Joe,
There are no upper case 'suffix' alphabets on military or commercial Lugers.

Ron Wood · 11-02-2010, 08:23 PM

Mike,
I think Joe is refering to the Germany marking, i.e. "GERMANY" vs. "Germany".

MFC · 11-02-2010, 08:38 PM

OH!!!
Thanks,

Ron Wood · 11-03-2010, 12:52 AM

Joe,
That's what I meant...you were reporting what you had been told, not that you were the origin of that information.

P.S. I have known Mike Morris of Relics of the Reich for more years than I can remember. Mike has had thousands of Lugers pass through his hands.

MFC · 11-04-2010, 01:00 PM

Joe,
Please post pictures of your 20 Kriegoffs!!! We would love to see them.

10-30-2010, 10:26 PM	#1
kryan762 New User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How to identify this luger Good Evening, Found this in my mother in laws dresser. While I have several guns lugers and not my area of knowledge. How do I go about determining a value on this ? Also when was it made. Thanks in Advance Kevin Attached Thumbnails

10-30-2010, 10:42 PM	#2
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	Did she have it stored just like that??? With no sideplate??? Import marked, no military proofs...a 7.65mm commercial??? Odd handgun for a woman...Not a bringback...Wonder where/why she picked that up... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

10-30-2010, 10:51 PM	#3
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	It looks like it's probably in pretty good condition. With the sideplate, it's value could be $600-$700 for the right buyer. This is a 1920 era Commercial Luger made by DWM. As postino mentioned, it is likely in 7.65 Luger caliber. If a common wood pencil will not fit in the barrel, it's a 7.65 rather than the 9mm (which was mostly for military pistols). You really need to locate the sideplate. If you have it and are having difficulty re-installing it, you'll find reference material here. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-30-2010, 11:45 PM	#5
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Kevin, If the toggles are held up by an item we call the hold open, pull back on the toggles, with the magazine out, expect a tiny click and then it should close down. Then, as it is right now, with the takedown lever down (that's the thing just ahead of the trigger guard you should be able to slide the upper forward and off the frame. The side plate is a mostly square thing with a lower extension. See some of the albums or 'technical Information', the illustrated parts list item 039. Inside that part 107 and 108. FN Last edited by FNorm; 10-30-2010 at 11:55 PM. Reason: add

10-30-2010, 11:55 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,929 Thanks: 2,029 Thanked 4,527 Times in 2,090 Posts	A couple of pointers; 1. The 'germany' marking is an export marking, it was required to meet US tarif laws showing country of origin. 2. 7.65mm is also known as 30 luger Value is greatly affected by having a major mismatched part, so the value above ia bout right. WITH a matched part (look around for it) the value would be $800-1000 retail. 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

10-30-2010, 11:10 PM	#4
kryan762 New User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Guys, Thanks for the information. Yes it was stored just like that. My gut tells me it was her fathers as he had many many guns. Is a side plate something that can be purchased at the right gun show ? Also does the side plate have a serial number that would need to match from a value standpoint ? Ahh a side plate that would explain why the top will not close. The magazine seems to take a 30 caliber empty case no problem. Is that equil to a 7.65 ? Thanks again.

10-31-2010, 03:14 PM	#8
kryan762 New User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks everyone this helps a ton. We will start the digging process.

11-02-2010, 07:58 PM	#9
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Joe, There are no upper case 'suffix' alphabets on military or commercial Lugers. __________________ Mike C.

11-02-2010, 08:23 PM	#10
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: 7,019 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,173 Times in 1,701 Posts	Mike, I think Joe is refering to the Germany marking, i.e. "GERMANY" vs. "Germany". __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-02-2010, 08:38 PM	#11
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	OH!!! Thanks, __________________ Mike C.

11-03-2010, 12:52 AM	#12
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: 7,019 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,173 Times in 1,701 Posts	Joe, That's what I meant...you were reporting what you had been told, not that you were the origin of that information. P.S. I have known Mike Morris of Relics of the Reich for more years than I can remember. Mike has had thousands of Lugers pass through his hands. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-04-2010, 01:00 PM	#13
MFC User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 183 Thanked 281 Times in 162 Posts	Joe, Please post pictures of your 20 Kriegoffs!!! We would love to see them. __________________ Mike C.