I need some Luger help!

U

utvols

New member
Local shop has a Luger in the case and I need some help about what to look for. Off the top of my head it was Nickel plated, had 1916 in the top just behind the barrel, under the safety was a name like grieshes (I know I should be more exact) and I believe their was something inscrolled on the top like initials. My dealer had mauser marked on the tag but I found nothing to indicate a mauser manufacture.
So is this anything to consider worth a purchase? What would be a good price on the pistol?
Where can I find out more about Lugers?

Thanks
 
I can help a little bit.

That's "Gesichert", and it means the safety catch is enabled when visible.

The initials on the toggle, if they're in a fancy scroll type of script, are "DWM", Deutsches Waffen und Munitionsfabrik, one of the principal manufacturers of the Luger pistol. Mauser Waffenfabrik was a subsidiary firm of DWM, and assumed production of the Luger beginning in 1930.

You didn't say how much he was asking for the Luger, but that's just a starting point. Truthfully, the Luger pistol is probably the most scrutinized of the collectible guns. Fakes abound, mix and match assembled Lugers abound, experts often choose to disagree on the value of certain models, etc.

Here's at least one place to read up on them:

http://www.lugerusa.com
 
In the first place, if it is nickeled, it has no collector value whatever. NO, and I mean NO military Luger (only militarys were dated) was ever factory nickel plated. And I'll bet that it is not some special presentation to Hitler or the Kaiser or any other fancy story either.

ALL nickel plated military Lugers were plated for GI's (mostly after WWII) or for idiots later. For some reason, Lugers were the main victims of "nickelplate mania"; P.38's and lesser German pistols were rarely plated.

I don't know what price is on it, but it should be around $200, about right for a nickel plated monstrosity that used to be a Luger and now is at best a shooter and maybe just a fancy paperweight. More than that would be attempted robbery.

Jim
 
Jim,

Is it really that bad? $200 bad? To tell you the truth, if it were $200 I would have already bought it. It was somewhere between $500-$600. The only thing I know about Lugers is that I want one, much less what a fair price would be.
 
I found a numbers matching (except for the magazine) DWM marked Luger with roughly 30% of the original finish remaining for 350$. The abomination you described isn't worth 300$, much less "somewhere between 500$-600$.":barf: If you really want that gun, offer 200$. If they say no, walk away.
 
guys,

THANK YOU!!!
I really appreciate the help. I had no idea that a Luger could be purchased for the prices ya'll have mentioned. Thanks again for saving me.
 
A friend of mine has the old 7 mm luger from the early 1900s in his moms attic...good blueing..all number match..we dont shoot it cause the damn ammo cost too much...cool guns though.
 
Hi, guys,

U-J-T, you might haul out that old 7.65mm Luger and have it checked. Some of those have gotten pretty pricey if in good condition.

Actually, it is rarely possible today to find any Luger very cheap. Even though a knowledgeable person would pay little, there are always folks around who will fall for the "lure of the Luger" and shell out bucks for something that will never be worth what they pay for it. Dealers know this, and jack up prices on Lugers, even ones that they know are not worth anywhere near the asking price. Even if they don't get the asking price, they will make a profit.

An experiment might show something on the nickel plated Luger. Ask the dealer if prices on Lugers keep going up. Of course he will say they do. Then ask if he will sign a paper guaranteeing to buy back the Luger in one year at the price paid if you choose to sell. His expression will tell you all you need to know about the real value of the Luger.

Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top