Sorry, another new guy..

[andwaahs]

Hi folks,

After leaving Britain and its crazy gun laws behind Iam at last in a position to own a functioning Luger,

I am looking at two right now which are about a 2 hour drive in opposite directions so Iam so far only looking at photos to decide if either of them is worth the drive to view.
The first one is claimed to be all matching numbered with original bluing in excellent order with origianal holster, its stamped 1942 on top apparently and I have asked for a picture of the top of the pistol to identify a makers mark, and will post this when I recieve it.
From the Eagle and L stamp, am I correct that this could have been issued to the postal service?

The second pistol is a matching numbered s/42 Mauser from 1938, again claimed as good origianal blueing. The seller is keen for me to come and see the gun but after nearly one week still has not sent me more detailed pictures of stamps.

Im not expecting any cast iron verdicts, just wondering what your more educated gut opinions are.

The second pistol is the last 3 photos,as I said I am waiting for more detailed images.

[Edward Tinker]

We have lots of new guys, so sometimes a header of what you have is best

The eagle L is for police

One of the first things we suggest is that you buy books.

Knowing your location makes a huge difference in value.

On the first one, ask why the grips are so worn compared to the great finish.

On the 2nd, the holster sure looks like a repro to me.

[andwaahs]

Thanks Edward,
I asked about the rough grips an wear to the leather last night, things have gone silent..However I plan to take a drive over tomorow and look it over.
With the other pistol the guy told me the leather is repro however he is more than alittle slow to deal with regarding details too.

I am in Norway, and there is a glut of pistols around, however numbers matching ones are getting harder to get in good condition.
Both guns are priced at around 700 dollars.

[DavidJayUden]

$700 in the USA is not a bad price at all.
I am concerned about the finish on the top gun. It looks like it may have been bead blasted and re-blued, and the grips show way more use than the bluing (actually modification and re-finishing). Photo 4 around the safety lever looks "frosty". Front sight blade had been modified or replaced.
Just can't see much more with those photos.
Anyway, welcome aboard.
dju

[Don M]

The first holster illustrated was manufactured as an LP08 holster in the Imperial era and converted to a police holster in the Weimar era. It is stamped with the Weimar-era unit marking of the Schutzpolizei of Frankfurt am Main in the Prussian administrative district of Wiesbaden.

[andwaahs]

David thanks for pointing out the front sight I had not noticed it, and Iwas a little unsure about the safety myself, it hasnt worn a scratch in the finish.
Don, would such an early police holster still have been paired with this pistol in 42?

Thanks for the input guys, I know the photos are not great.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Either one of these pistols with holster or extra mags would easily bring $700 USD here in the USA. Even if the eagle L is refinnished.

[andwaahs]

I agree they probably are worth their price, I am after a first gun shooter, but the best I can find on my budget.
I looked at 4 other pistols last week in my area in reasonable shooting condition, all mismatched mongrels. These 2 seem worth a look but I have to say Im skeptical about the first one having origianal finish as advertised.

[alanint]

I agree that the first pistol might POSSIBLY be reblued, although all the markings and edges seem crisp. Better photos might verify if its been redone.

The modified front sight goes a long way towards explaining the modified grips, which appear to have been purposely thinned for target use, as was the replaced sight.

There is little to say about the second gun without better photos. I agree that the holster is a reproduction.

[Curly1]

The first one looks like a reblue to me.

Are we talking $700 US dollors or Euros here?

[Don M]

Originally Posted by andwaahs

Don, would such an early police holster still have been paired with this pistol in 42?

If the rig was in the US where most are veteran "bring-backs," I would say it is not likely since there was a multi-year program that began in 1933 to replace old police P08 holsters in Germany with newly manufactured ones. However, since it is a Norwegian "left-behind," I'm not so sure. It may have been surplused by the Frankfurt Schupo when it was replaced in the early 1930s and subsequently reissued to a police battalion headed for Norway. The gun is a bit odd, too. It clearly has a police acceptance stamp but does not appear to have ever had a sear safety which I would expect to see if the gun saw police service in Germany. Perhaps it too was issued to a police battalion in Norway and got paired with the holster.

[andwaahs]

Don I am going to look at the top pistol in the morning, what do you mean by the sear safety?

OK, I found another thread with some pics and some info. bit odd as you said.

[mrerick]

Even if the first one has been refinished (and this appearance could relate to the use of flash in the photos), if in good firing condition it would be worth more than $700 as a shooter.

The area of the left grip that is smooth was probably sanded smooth to provide comfort for a right hand shooter's thumb. Nothing else in your photo implies that level of wear on the pistol. You'll see the bore when you handle the Luger yourself.

A "Sear Safety" is an additional metal tab that is riveted to the top of the sear bar on the left side of the pistol (which is not shown in any photos posted).

The police marked E/L pistol would be considerably more rare here in the USA, and I would think more attractive and valuable, all other things considered.

Marc

[lugerholsterrepair]

Couldn't the Eagle L pistol be a Mauser Banner?

[padredan]

If either is priced 700.00 in dolars not euro's either one would be priced right

[andwaahs]

Well, thanks for all the input so far guys but we can close the matter regarding the Eagle L pistol.
I drove down to look at it this morning after mailing the dealer last night, suffice to say after a sweaty drive (its 28 celcius here today). dragging my poor daughter along as I was baby sitting, the POS just looked at me and said he had sold it that morning!!and wasnt even apologetic about messing me around. It was his to sell and he sold it!

Im pretty upset as I was 90 % mind made up to buy it. but onwards to the next...

[alanint]

Welcome to the sometimes seamy side of gun dealing. Don't be surprised that the dealer was advised he was selling too low and simple held the pistol back. It may appear later at a higher asking price.
We have all experienced this.

[Norme]

Hi Andrew, If it helps any, I like the second gun much better. Good luck, Norm

[andwaahs]

Cheers Norm,
That pistol is still on the table but like I said the guy selling is strange to deal with, in his 20s and smoking a lot of green tobacco!
4 times now he promises to email the close up right away, next day I ask him what happened he says "oh yeah i forgot, but I will do it tonight".
Its more frustrating than buying a used car

So I suppose I will go back to waiting for another one to pop up on the market and I will bother you all again...
Anyhow that gives me breathing room to read more, the last week looking about the forum has been an education and I apreceate all your opinions

[Curly1]

Yea I would skip the ganja man also.