Engraved Navy

[Proofed]

Some will love it some will hate it, it is what it is and my position is clear as I own it. Always wanted an engraved luger and this one is it. There is a story behind it of a WW2 U-Boat connection, an early luger presented to a U-Boat Captain. I have no proof of this however it came with 2 early U-Boat books (in German) and an album with an officers Family photo's. The inlay on the chamber is of a U-Boat. I did not buy it for an investment and have it because of what it is. I have gotten to the point where I don't trust what I hear and until there's proof of the story take it with a grain of salt. The grips are mismatched and not for this pistol.

[Proofed]

MoreEngraved Pics

[Proofed]

Captain Hans Erwin Reith surrendered U-190 to the Canadian Navy at wars end

[hayhugh]

Is that Captain Reiths "dog tag"? I would not kick that Luger out of my safe!

[lugerholsterrepair]

WOW! Great presentation!

[rhuff]

I would have ZERO problems owning that Navy Luger. I am green with envy......Congrats!!

[HerrKaiser]

Jaw dropping craftsmanship. That pistol would be a centerpiece in virtually any collection. The only things I can think of that I would even bother entertaining taking over it would be a “GL” marked Luger or the original US Test .45 Luger.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Originally Posted by HerrKaiser

Jaw dropping craftsmanship. That pistol would be a centerpiece in virtually any collection. The only things I can think of that I would even bother entertaining taking over it would be a “GL” marked Luger or the original US Test .45 Luger.

OK, Lets not go crazy. But let us tell what we see...The matching magazine bottom is fake. A Nazi Eagle and matching numbers is an alarming tell..it tells me somebody gave some though to this but not enough. Anything like this is a big red pointed arrow to say..take a closer look.



The engraving..deluxe factory engraving, especially full coverage is extensive but elegant in it's coverage. What I see here is the overuse of stippling circles into dead spaces. Also crosshatching on places like the backstrap and side of the trigger ..WAY overkill.



The grips, the right grip looks Dutch. On a German presentation piece..one would certainly expect to see the grips that came with the pistol. AND on one such as this..perhaps some wood carving to boot?



The gold inlay. Typical of American inscribers, certainly not German. Too..look at the gold sub over the chamber. Could be a cigar. It just doesn't/isn't clear enough for German presentation IMO. Not compared to anything else the Germans used like the U-boat badge.



It's a neat gun and as the OP says it is what it is..but let's tell it like it is.

[HerrKaiser]

I agree that it is what it is, raw collectible value diminished due to modifications and stated mismatching parts, I just find it very aesthetically pleasing to look at regardless. Might just be a product of my youth and getting overly “wowed” at these things. After all, I am in the generation that largely thinks that “style” on a firearm is what generic color of the rainbow they decided to get their Glock in, or how many attachments they can throw onto their AR platform.

[Scottrt]

I don't see a Nazi eagle on the magazine bottom. I see a crown over m.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Originally Posted by Scottrt

I don't see a Nazi eagle on the magazine bottom. I see a crown over m.

Gott In Himmel! You are correct! Looking at it from a weird angle I made a huge mistake! Mea culpa...Guess I'm losing it.

[Norme]

While certainly not factory, I think the engraving is rather well done. The gold inlays, on the other hand, look very crude and are certainly not contemporary to the engraving. In other words, I think the connection to Captain Reith and U-190 is just hogwash.
Norm

[Proofed]

Could very well be hogwash as far as I know, no matter its still top shelf to me.

A close up of the dog tag which I know nothing about, is it a repo or a real one. Some pics of the rounds.

Later will send pics of the books and some photos from the album

Does anyone know what this pin represents

Would hogwash still get me a link to the navy list ?

[tenbears]

This is only the second pimp gun Navy Luger I have seen. The first one I posted pics on Still's forum years ago it even had fake 1ST Torpedo Div unit marks.

[m1903a3]

I cant't say if the I.D. tag is real or not, but the /45K means the owner was inducted in 1945 and was in the Küstendienst (coastal service). Not a U-Boot.

As for the pistol, I agree with Norm that the engraving is most likely post-WWII and that the embellishments to make the U-Boat connection came later.

Personally, it makes me sad because a plain vanilla P.04 277 would have been more valuable and collectible. The early (>400) 1906 contract P.04s had several characteristics that set them apart from the rest of the 1906 pistols and make them quite rare and desirable for a Navy collector like myself.

As for the engraving, well I enjoy looking at beautifully engraved commercial firearms, and appreciate the artistry. But I'm much less fond of it on a military pistol.

[Proofed]

Thanks for your thoughts and info on the coastal service, that is another piece of the puzzle as this pistol came with a 25 year faithful service cross w/ribbon. as I understand it that was only awarded to civilians. There is also a 1940's book of picture and profiles of the worlds ships as would be used for identification purposes. This pistol may have been presented to someone who served in that coastal watch capacity through out the war. It gives me another avenue to explore.
I certainly understand your position on what's been done to a rare pistol however its irreversible and it still holds someplace in history. and being what it is should be respected enough to try and find its true place/story. I guess back in the day people weren't as concerned with purity and collectability as we are today. Besides it keeps me busy looking for answers, somebody should do it.
It always amuses me when I see the write ups on lugers for sale as they all seemed to have belonged to officers or have been taken from officers or other high ranking officials etc., you know the story. I will send some pics of the books at some point in case anyone can add anything to the hunt. Thanks again.

[Proofed]

Altamont grips modified for the grip safety

[DonVoigt]

The OP is happy with his engraved luger; 'nuff said.

[Ron Wood]

Mom always told me, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. I am not saying anything.
Ron

[gunbugs]

My guess, having seen comparable engraving on a number of sporting rifles, is it is postwar (WW2), done in Europe, probably Germany, at the request of a GI or some such. Entertaining to look at though. Wonder what the old girl looked like before they got started?