New Member with a Simson Luger

Tenth_Mtn · 02-27-2013, 03:57 PM

Hello. I am new to the Forum. I inherited a Luger a few years ago from my father (he passed away about three years ago). Here is the story as far as I can remember it...

My dad was in the 10th Mountain Division in Italy during WWII. At the end of the war, he was on the hunt for some German guns. He was given a tip to go to XX city (I can't remember which) and talk to a German Officer. He did and mad a trade. My dad never smoked and regular rations included cigarettes. He used these cigarettes as bargaining items with others. Well, that is also what he traded to the German for the Luger (as well as a P-38 and a machine gun - I have the P-38, but he was afraid to have the machine gun in the States so he tossed it into an out-house in the '50's).

Here is what I know about the Luger (also see pictures)...

It is a Simson and Co. Suhl gun serial number 9475. The number 75 is stamped on all the parts I can see (I have not taken the gun apart). It looks to be in pretty good shape, it has an eagle 6, 33 and 46 stamp on the side, and many eagle 6 stamps here and there. I am not sure if the magazine is original, it has a plastic end with no SN on it that I can see.

Let me know what you think.

Regards,
David

DavidJayUden · 02-27-2013, 04:08 PM

Very nice. Dad didn't mention where that outhouse was did he...?
Just kidding. Sort of.
Welcome, and I'm certain you'll be hearing more on the Simson.
dju

Tenth_Mtn · 02-27-2013, 04:11 PM

That out-house would be near Lake Samamish, WA (west side) near a house he was building. It has subsequently been filled in (many many years ago). I have wondered what the condition of the gun would be if someone happened to dig it up???

mrerick · 02-27-2013, 05:01 PM

Hi David,

Looks like quite a nice Simson. There were only about 12,000 of these made in total. Your's is toward the end. Probably in the early 1930s (I would guess 1931).

Every part on your Simson should be E/6 or E/33 waffenamt inspected and marked.
i can't really judge the finish because of the use of flash (which washes things out).

I'm not sure who the E/46 inspector was.

I believe that these all originally came with a numbered magazine. Your FXO Haenel Schmeisser magazine is probably not original to the pistol.

Both your Luger (if it's all matching and in original finish) and it's magazine are collectable and valuable. These are rather rare pistols.

Please post pictures with more sharp detail taken in natural light. It will help.

(I missed the lack of straw mentioned below by Norm. It certainly indicates your Simson was refinished. I purchased one like this a few years ago and had it restored...)

Marc

Norme · 02-27-2013, 05:35 PM

Hi David, Welcome to the forum! I'm by no means a Simson expert, but to my knowledge the small parts were strawed. The trigger, safety, and magazine release appear to have been blued, which indicates that the gun has, at least, been partially refinished.
Regards, Norm

alanint · 02-27-2013, 09:19 PM

I would agree, Norm.

Also, is that pitting or something engraved on the left side of the frame, just in front of the safety?

Curly1 · 02-28-2013, 12:30 AM

Wlecome to the forum Dave.

Tenth_Mtn · 02-28-2013, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

Is that pitting or something engraved on the left side of the frame, just in front of the safety?

It is light pitting, picture (click to zoom)...

Tenth_Mtn · 02-28-2013, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

Please post pictures with more sharp detail taken in natural light. It will help.

Marc

Maybe the rain will stop for a while this weekend and I can get outside to take some pictures with "natural light."

Tenth_Mtn · 02-28-2013, 12:53 AM

By the way, thank you for the welcomes!!

Tenth_Mtn · 02-28-2013, 01:01 AM

Another of many questions... What is the "8.83" on the base of the barrel (on the flaired part under the serial number)? Sorry, I am a Luger novice!

Edward Tinker · 02-28-2013, 01:08 AM

the 8,83 is the lands to lands measurement

the serial number on the barrel looks wrong and it was maybe cold blued or lightly redone after the war

otherwise the Simson is a nice one, obviously, I collect them. This one was made likely around 1930 or so for the german army

The eagle 6's on the bottom of the stock lug is good to see and shows that the frame was made / accepted by Simson - the eagle 46 is also a simson acceptance marking and not seen as often.

Ed

John Sabato · 02-28-2013, 10:00 AM

The "pitting" on the side to me ...looks like an attempt to mark the side by a previous owner with the initials "SAM"

02-27-2013, 03:57 PM	#1
Tenth_Mtn User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: West Sound, WA Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Member with a Simson Luger Hello. I am new to the Forum. I inherited a Luger a few years ago from my father (he passed away about three years ago). Here is the story as far as I can remember it... My dad was in the 10th Mountain Division in Italy during WWII. At the end of the war, he was on the hunt for some German guns. He was given a tip to go to XX city (I can't remember which) and talk to a German Officer. He did and mad a trade. My dad never smoked and regular rations included cigarettes. He used these cigarettes as bargaining items with others. Well, that is also what he traded to the German for the Luger (as well as a P-38 and a machine gun - I have the P-38, but he was afraid to have the machine gun in the States so he tossed it into an out-house in the '50's). Here is what I know about the Luger (also see pictures)... It is a Simson and Co. Suhl gun serial number 9475. The number 75 is stamped on all the parts I can see (I have not taken the gun apart). It looks to be in pretty good shape, it has an eagle 6, 33 and 46 stamp on the side, and many eagle 6 stamps here and there. I am not sure if the magazine is original, it has a plastic end with no SN on it that I can see. Let me know what you think. Regards, David Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Tenth_Mtn; 02-28-2013 at 09:08 PM.

02-27-2013, 05:01 PM	#4
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	Hi David, Looks like quite a nice Simson. There were only about 12,000 of these made in total. Your's is toward the end. Probably in the early 1930s (I would guess 1931). Every part on your Simson should be E/6 or E/33 waffenamt inspected and marked. i can't really judge the finish because of the use of flash (which washes things out). I'm not sure who the E/46 inspector was. I believe that these all originally came with a numbered magazine. Your FXO Haenel Schmeisser magazine is probably not original to the pistol. Both your Luger (if it's all matching and in original finish) and it's magazine are collectable and valuable. These are rather rare pistols. Please post pictures with more sharp detail taken in natural light. It will help. (I missed the lack of straw mentioned below by Norm. It certainly indicates your Simson was refinished. I purchased one like this a few years ago and had it restored...) Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

02-28-2013, 12:30 AM	#7
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,242 Thanks: 117 Thanked 714 Times in 371 Posts	Wlecome to the forum Dave. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

02-28-2013, 01:08 AM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	the 8,83 is the lands to lands measurement the serial number on the barrel looks wrong and it was maybe cold blued or lightly redone after the war otherwise the Simson is a nice one, obviously, I collect them. This one was made likely around 1930 or so for the german army The eagle 6's on the bottom of the stock lug is good to see and shows that the frame was made / accepted by Simson - the eagle 46 is also a simson acceptance marking and not seen as often. 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

02-28-2013, 10:00 AM	#13
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	The "pitting" on the side to me ...looks like an attempt to mark the side by a previous owner with the initials "SAM" __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-27-2013, 04:08 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Very nice. Dad didn't mention where that outhouse was did he...? Just kidding. Sort of. Welcome, and I'm certain you'll be hearing more on the Simson. dju

02-27-2013, 04:11 PM	#3
Tenth_Mtn User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: West Sound, WA Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That out-house would be near Lake Samamish, WA (west side) near a house he was building. It has subsequently been filled in (many many years ago). I have wondered what the condition of the gun would be if someone happened to dig it up???

02-27-2013, 05:35 PM	#5
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi David, Welcome to the forum! I'm by no means a Simson expert, but to my knowledge the small parts were strawed. The trigger, safety, and magazine release appear to have been blued, which indicates that the gun has, at least, been partially refinished. Regards, Norm

02-27-2013, 09:19 PM	#6
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	I would agree, Norm. Also, is that pitting or something engraved on the left side of the frame, just in front of the safety?

02-28-2013, 12:53 AM	#10
Tenth_Mtn User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: West Sound, WA Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	By the way, thank you for the welcomes!!

02-28-2013, 01:01 AM	#11
Tenth_Mtn User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: West Sound, WA Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Another of many questions... What is the "8.83" on the base of the barrel (on the flaired part under the serial number)? Sorry, I am a Luger novice!