Advice please

bucholj · 03-23-2013, 09:14 PM

Rookie here. I'll apologize right away. Today I'm the guy that joins a forum and ask questions right away and for that I am sorry. I am looking for some Luger advice. I am trying to help out an elderly lady who I believe people are trying to take advantage of financially. She has a couple interesting items that I feel have way more value than the 400 dollars the neighbor guy keeps trying to give for them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I have attached pictures that will hopefully help.

The story on the Luger is, her husband’s uncle brought it home during World War II and passed it on to her husband before his death. That is really all she’ knows and she has no family left that might be able to shed some more light on the pistol.

I believe it is a DWM
Serial # 9260
It has Gesichert by the safety
It has a small N with a symbol above it.
There is a large M on it also
It seems to function properly when charging it
The wood grips are in good condition, also the wood on the magazine is good also.
No pitting or rust
I see no import or additional etchings everything seems to be matching.
I also attached a couple knife/bayonet photos, that she has no clue where they came from.

My question is what does she have? I had to use my cell phone to take pics, I can try and get a camera to take better pics if it will help.

Edward Tinker · 03-23-2013, 09:23 PM

welcome to the forum

It likely has a crown N on the left, which is a commercial variant

Caliber looks like 9mm, but is it 7.65mm? Take a pencil and see if it goes down the barrel, easy to go, its a 9mm

DavidJayUden · 03-23-2013, 11:39 PM

The photos leave a lot to be desired, but it's safe to say that the gun is worth at least $750. Maybe up to the $1200-$1400 range. The knives look nice too, and while I'm no expert, they are worth more than the generous neighbor is offering.
You can do a lot better for this lady by posting the items for sale on this forum.
dju

Curly1 · 03-24-2013, 12:10 AM

Welcome to the forum.

Yes the neighbor is a scum bag if he is offering $400 for the whole lot.

Dwight Gruber · 03-24-2013, 05:26 AM

Much closer and sharper pictures of the pistol and its markings must be seen, as well as any markings on the knife and bayonet. Until then no rational comment can be made, except that her neighbor is no friend.

--Dwight

alanint · 03-24-2013, 12:16 PM

The SA dagger will vary from $600 to a couple of Thousand, depending on the maker and the condition of the scabbard. a photo or reading of the maker will make a huge difference in value.
The second bayonet is a dress bayonet for the K98 and is worth at the very least $150, if all correct.

Nomadr · 03-24-2013, 01:05 PM

This elderly lady is lucky to have someone like you to watch over her! That Neighbor is clearly tying to take advantage of her!

Looks like maybe up to $1800 or more worth of items to the right people.

Like Dwight mentioned, better photos will be needed to determine a value.

Bob

wayne8661 · 03-24-2013, 01:44 PM

The SA dagger looks clean is there anyway to find out who the maker is? Also is the a groupmark on the back of the bottom crossguard?

bucholj · 03-24-2013, 02:18 PM

Thank you everyone!! I will meet with her again and use a camera to take better pictures of everything. I have a book reserved at the library that might help with identification, but it is checked out right now. This guy keeps calling her so I would like to get her some resolution soon.

Nomadr · 03-24-2013, 03:31 PM

For $400 bucks, I'll bet he's still calling her! What a jerk!

You really don't need a book. Just post some good photos and you'll get all the correct info you need here on this forum!

Bob

MikeP · 03-24-2013, 03:31 PM

You are a good neigthbor.
Some folks think outright theft is OK if they get away with it.

mrerick · 03-24-2013, 04:21 PM

My best guess looking at your photos is that the Luger is a DWM alphabet commercial. Is "Germany" marked on the front of the frame above the trigger guard in between the numeric and suffix letter portions of the pistol's serial number?

This should be in .30 Luger caliber. Serial is "9260m".

I also have one of these in the "m" serial block (about 5,000 earlier).

It looks like it is probably in good condition, and in original finish. If so, $750 would be reasonable for it.

These were made in the early 1920s (Your in 1923-4). It was not a military firearm, but was commercially sold in the USA between the wars.

You should find that a number 2 pencil (round) will not enter the barrel, and that a hex shaped one may just tightly fit in. If that is the case, my assumptions are correct.

I'm not an expert on the dagger. You should seek help from someone that can determine if it is original. These have been commonly reproduced after the war.

Tell her to steer away from the neighbor, who is trying to cheat her.

Marc

alanint · 03-24-2013, 04:41 PM

Jeff,
Just below the cross guard and on the blade of the SA dagger you should find a fairly aborate maker's insignia. This could be a squirrel, an acorn, etc. The maker will make a large difference in the Dagger's value. Eikhorn made the most of them so are on the lower end. Send a photo or post it on Germandaggers.com and get an opinion from these guys.

Contact the neighbor and tell him to back off.

bucholj · 03-26-2013, 06:15 PM

I took some better pics today

bucholj · 03-26-2013, 06:19 PM

and some more of the dagger and bayonet pics.

Again thanks for all your help!

alanint · 03-26-2013, 07:11 PM

Jeff,

Take these photos over to the guys at:

www.germandaggers.com

And ask them for the latest value of both daggers. You might even get a fair offer for them there.

bucholj · 03-26-2013, 09:55 PM

mrerick, do the new pics I added confirm your beliefs?

Edward Tinker · 03-27-2013, 03:29 AM

Looks like a very nice commercial luger, that should have the numbers in the 'hidden' way, i.e. under the sideplate, under the take down lever, etc. This looks like a very nice one, I think a bit more on the value, easily $800-$900 if it looks as nice as I believe it is.

Tell the neighbor, I will give $400 just for the luger itself, would likely make a fine shooter !

John Sabato · 03-27-2013, 11:40 AM

Thanks to all the members that are assisting to prevent this "theft" by her neighbor... I only hope that someone takes the time to look after the well being of all WW2 veteran's widows... the early appraisal that the neighbor is a jerk was a very conservative description...

zombeer · 03-27-2013, 12:09 PM

That's really nice of you. My wife's grandmother got taken by a "generous" buyer who gave her $1000 for an entire safe full of WW2 era arms. We've tried to track down the guns, but the scumbag quickly resold them for big bucks.
The happy ending is that he died of stomach cancer not too long after, but we're still out some significant family heirlooms.

03-23-2013, 09:14 PM	#1
bucholj User Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Advice please Rookie here. I'll apologize right away. Today I'm the guy that joins a forum and ask questions right away and for that I am sorry. I am looking for some Luger advice. I am trying to help out an elderly lady who I believe people are trying to take advantage of financially. She has a couple interesting items that I feel have way more value than the 400 dollars the neighbor guy keeps trying to give for them. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have attached pictures that will hopefully help. The story on the Luger is, her husband’s uncle brought it home during World War II and passed it on to her husband before his death. That is really all she’ knows and she has no family left that might be able to shed some more light on the pistol. I believe it is a DWM Serial # 9260 It has Gesichert by the safety It has a small N with a symbol above it. There is a large M on it also It seems to function properly when charging it The wood grips are in good condition, also the wood on the magazine is good also. No pitting or rust I see no import or additional etchings everything seems to be matching. I also attached a couple knife/bayonet photos, that she has no clue where they came from. My question is what does she have? I had to use my cell phone to take pics, I can try and get a camera to take better pics if it will help. Attached Thumbnails

03-23-2013, 09:23 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,033 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	welcome to the forum It likely has a crown N on the left, which is a commercial variant Caliber looks like 9mm, but is it 7.65mm? Take a pencil and see if it goes down the barrel, easy to go, its a 9mm __________________ 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

03-24-2013, 12:10 AM	#4
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,242 Thanks: 117 Thanked 714 Times in 371 Posts	Welcome to the forum. Yes the neighbor is a scum bag if he is offering $400 for the whole lot. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

03-24-2013, 04:21 PM	#12
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	My best guess looking at your photos is that the Luger is a DWM alphabet commercial. Is "Germany" marked on the front of the frame above the trigger guard in between the numeric and suffix letter portions of the pistol's serial number? This should be in .30 Luger caliber. Serial is "9260m". I also have one of these in the "m" serial block (about 5,000 earlier). It looks like it is probably in good condition, and in original finish. If so, $750 would be reasonable for it. These were made in the early 1920s (Your in 1923-4). It was not a military firearm, but was commercially sold in the USA between the wars. You should find that a number 2 pencil (round) will not enter the barrel, and that a hex shaped one may just tightly fit in. If that is the case, my assumptions are correct. I'm not an expert on the dagger. You should seek help from someone that can determine if it is original. These have been commonly reproduced after the war. Tell her to steer away from the neighbor, who is trying to cheat her. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

03-26-2013, 06:15 PM	#14
bucholj User Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	better pics I took some better pics today Attached Thumbnails

03-23-2013, 11:39 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	The photos leave a lot to be desired, but it's safe to say that the gun is worth at least $750. Maybe up to the $1200-$1400 range. The knives look nice too, and while I'm no expert, they are worth more than the generous neighbor is offering. You can do a lot better for this lady by posting the items for sale on this forum. dju

03-24-2013, 05:26 AM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Much closer and sharper pictures of the pistol and its markings must be seen, as well as any markings on the knife and bayonet. Until then no rational comment can be made, except that her neighbor is no friend. --Dwight

03-24-2013, 12:16 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	The SA dagger will vary from $600 to a couple of Thousand, depending on the maker and the condition of the scabbard. a photo or reading of the maker will make a huge difference in value. The second bayonet is a dress bayonet for the K98 and is worth at the very least $150, if all correct.

03-24-2013, 01:05 PM	#7
Nomadr Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 276 Thanks: 16 Thanked 28 Times in 22 Posts	This elderly lady is lucky to have someone like you to watch over her! That Neighbor is clearly tying to take advantage of her! Looks like maybe up to $1800 or more worth of items to the right people. Like Dwight mentioned, better photos will be needed to determine a value. Bob

03-24-2013, 01:44 PM	#8
wayne8661 User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kennett Square Pennsylvania Posts: 591 Thanks: 15 Thanked 334 Times in 104 Posts	The SA dagger looks clean is there anyway to find out who the maker is? Also is the a groupmark on the back of the bottom crossguard?

03-24-2013, 02:18 PM	#9
bucholj User Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thank you everyone!! I will meet with her again and use a camera to take better pictures of everything. I have a book reserved at the library that might help with identification, but it is checked out right now. This guy keeps calling her so I would like to get her some resolution soon.

03-24-2013, 03:31 PM	#10
Nomadr Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 276 Thanks: 16 Thanked 28 Times in 22 Posts	For $400 bucks, I'll bet he's still calling her! What a jerk! You really don't need a book. Just post some good photos and you'll get all the correct info you need here on this forum! Bob

03-24-2013, 03:31 PM	#11
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	You are a good neigthbor. Some folks think outright theft is OK if they get away with it.

03-24-2013, 04:41 PM	#13
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Jeff, Just below the cross guard and on the blade of the SA dagger you should find a fairly aborate maker's insignia. This could be a squirrel, an acorn, etc. The maker will make a large difference in the Dagger's value. Eikhorn made the most of them so are on the lower end. Send a photo or post it on Germandaggers.com and get an opinion from these guys. Contact the neighbor and tell him to back off.

03-26-2013, 06:19 PM	#15
bucholj User Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	and some more of the dagger and bayonet pics. Again thanks for all your help! Attached Thumbnails

03-26-2013, 07:11 PM	#16
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Jeff, Take these photos over to the guys at: www.germandaggers.com And ask them for the latest value of both daggers. You might even get a fair offer for them there.

03-26-2013, 09:55 PM	#17
bucholj User Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	mrerick, do the new pics I added confirm your beliefs?

03-27-2013, 03:29 AM	#18
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,033 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	Looks like a very nice commercial luger, that should have the numbers in the 'hidden' way, i.e. under the sideplate, under the take down lever, etc. This looks like a very nice one, I think a bit more on the value, easily $800-$900 if it looks as nice as I believe it is. Tell the neighbor, I will give $400 just for the luger itself, would likely make a fine shooter ! __________________ 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

03-27-2013, 11:40 AM	#19
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	Thanks to all the members that are assisting to prevent this "theft" by her neighbor... I only hope that someone takes the time to look after the well being of all WW2 veteran's widows... the early appraisal that the neighbor is a jerk was a very conservative description... __________________ 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..."*

03-27-2013, 12:09 PM	#20
zombeer User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 36 Thanks: 16 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	That's really nice of you. My wife's grandmother got taken by a "generous" buyer who gave her $1000 for an entire safe full of WW2 era arms. We've tried to track down the guns, but the scumbag quickly resold them for big bucks. The happy ending is that he died of stomach cancer not too long after, but we're still out some significant family heirlooms. __________________ Illegitimis nil carborundum