1913 Luger

Tony Min · 08-18-2013, 02:39 PM

My sister in law has this Luger her grandfather brought back. She talks about it all the time and I finally got to see it. First of all she has stored it in the leather holster for many years and it is showing some rust. Secondly she shot it a lot years ago and I don't think she ever cleaned it. When I try to pull the toggle back it only comes up about halfway. I want to save this poor Luger so bad. I might just tell her to take it to a gunsmith to clean it up, but of course no refinishing.

How rare is this, how many are there, what is it's current value and any other info would be greatly appreciated.

I want to add a Luger to my own collection hence my membership at this forum. But I don't think she would ever let this go. Maybe if I tell her what she is letting deteriorate in front of her eyes will she let someone at least preserve it.
It has a fairly rough original hoster and two original mags with non matching numbers. The pistol appears to be all matching but I didn't get a chance to disassemble it.
Here are the pics:

Edward Tinker · 08-18-2013, 03:13 PM

Well, its about a $550-$700 gun as is.

The holster could be worth $25 if a civilian holster or several hundred dollars / pictures would be needed - and if a military, the year, does it have a loading tool (screwdriver)?

Ed

drbuster · 08-18-2013, 03:21 PM

According to Jan Still's Imperial Lugers, page 23, approximately 35,000 1913 dated DWM lugers were produced, with then reported serial number range 2617-315e range. Your 1913 DWM specimen has been abused by neglect over the years and even if well oiled, cleaned, etc., still would achieve a grade of about 50-60%. You don't show the bottom of the magazine. A matching number would help a bit. Value of this old warrior is at best $1000.

lugerholsterrepair · 08-18-2013, 04:00 PM

You guys are so generous! I wouldn't value this poor thing at anything over $400 max. Heaven only knows the bore condition or the springs..Grips all carved up..Only thing help this is a time machine.
Might end up to be a good shooter but it's been rode hard and put away wet.

Tony Min · 08-18-2013, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

You guys are so generous! I wouldn't value this poor thing at anything over $400 max. Heaven only knows the bore condition or the springs..Grips all carved up..Only thing help this is a time machine.
Might end up to be a good shooter but it's been rode hard and put away wet.

I personally would love to buy something like this to clean up and shoot. I sure have never seen many cheap ones. I wish someone would point me to some. This poor thing is in sad shape. But I would buy it.
Where are all the cheaper Lugers listed for sale?

drbuster · 08-18-2013, 05:05 PM

Jerry, my "generous" estimate was based on a cosmetic overhaul, short of buffing and blueing.

08-18-2013, 02:39 PM	#1
Tony Min User Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 169 Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 14 Posts	1913 Luger My sister in law has this Luger her grandfather brought back. She talks about it all the time and I finally got to see it. First of all she has stored it in the leather holster for many years and it is showing some rust. Secondly she shot it a lot years ago and I don't think she ever cleaned it. When I try to pull the toggle back it only comes up about halfway. I want to save this poor Luger so bad. I might just tell her to take it to a gunsmith to clean it up, but of course no refinishing. How rare is this, how many are there, what is it's current value and any other info would be greatly appreciated. I want to add a Luger to my own collection hence my membership at this forum. But I don't think she would ever let this go. Maybe if I tell her what she is letting deteriorate in front of her eyes will she let someone at least preserve it. It has a fairly rough original hoster and two original mags with non matching numbers. The pistol appears to be all matching but I didn't get a chance to disassemble it. Here are the pics:

08-18-2013, 03:13 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	Well, its about a $550-$700 gun as is. The holster could be worth $25 if a civilian holster or several hundred dollars / pictures would be needed - and if a military, the year, does it have a loading tool (screwdriver)? 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

08-18-2013, 04:00 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	You guys are so generous! I wouldn't value this poor thing at anything over $400 max. Heaven only knows the bore condition or the springs..Grips all carved up..Only thing help this is a time machine. Might end up to be a good shooter but it's been rode hard and put away wet. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

08-18-2013, 03:21 PM	#3
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	According to Jan Still's Imperial Lugers, page 23, approximately 35,000 1913 dated DWM lugers were produced, with then reported serial number range 2617-315e range. Your 1913 DWM specimen has been abused by neglect over the years and even if well oiled, cleaned, etc., still would achieve a grade of about 50-60%. You don't show the bottom of the magazine. A matching number would help a bit. Value of this old warrior is at best $1000.

08-18-2013, 05:05 PM	#6
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Jerry, my "generous" estimate was based on a cosmetic overhaul, short of buffing and blueing.