Luger purchase should I or Shouldn't I

garyed50 · 05-09-2015, 04:58 PM

Hey all

I just found this beauty at another pawn shop near me

30cal in great shape some replaced parts non-original magazine. asking $1,500.00

Gary

ithacaartist · 05-09-2015, 05:48 PM

Hard to say, Gary, at least it is for me. If ANY Artillery is worth a minimum of $1k, $1.5k for this one (see below) might be just a touch high for a collector's price, more fair if considered full retail. Those more knowledgeable will also offer opinions, I hope. Looks like a commercial...some were re-/custom barreled by importers, e.g. Stoeger. Import marked? S/N on barrel, or no? Grips numbered? The small parts should be strawed, I'd say, so maybe a refinish--maybe done without buffing because the edges look sharp and clean in this single pic? The mag bottom appears a bit beaten up, but due to retaining pin in center of knob, I'll be it's an FXO, which could be sold to someone who needs WWII, reducing net outlay for the pistol. Odds in favor of its being a great shooter! More pics would help!

DavidJayUden · 05-09-2015, 05:57 PM

I see nothing that elevates this one over other "shooter" grade Lugers. I'd not even consider it until it is on "half-off" sale. But of course someone will buy it before then.
dju

Dwight Gruber · 05-09-2015, 08:54 PM

What are you looking for in a Luger?

As a shooter, .30 cal. ammunition is not convenient to find, and is very expensive. As a collector piece, this is not even an artillery, it is a re-blued parts gun. Walk away, save your $1,500 and add to it when you can, you will find a much better example than this.

--Dwight

garyed50 · 05-09-2015, 09:17 PM

thanks everyone

A error dodged I'll look elsewhere. Can the mods close this one please

Gary

Mac Cat · 05-10-2015, 01:19 PM

Interesting gun, thanks for sharing. I'm curious about where you saw it and who built it.

garyed50 · 05-10-2015, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Cat

Interesting gun, thanks for sharing. I'm curious about where you saw it and who built it.

Its at Whittier Pawn in the city of Whittier ca. I didn't get to learn much about it yet still haggling about a possible purchase.

Gary

garyed50 · 05-10-2015, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac Cat

Interesting gun, thanks for sharing. I'm curious about where you saw it and who built it.

It has the DWM symbol on the toggle link plus the date of 1918. as you can see the side plate is devoid of a number so is the metal plate that slides into place when you engage the safety. I think likely it is a frankengun.

Gary

alanint · 05-10-2015, 02:43 PM

The grips have also either been "freshened" or are reproductions.

Sergio Natali · 05-10-2015, 03:01 PM

quote
What are you looking for in a Luger?

As a shooter, .30 cal. ammunition is not convenient to find, and is very expensive. As a collector piece, this is not even an artillery, it is a re-blued parts gun. Walk away, save your $1,500 and add to it when you can, you will find a much better example than this. Dwight
unquote

I agree with Dwight, it might be an interesting gun, but if I were in your shoes I would leave it where it is.
FWIW

Sergio

MikeP · 05-11-2015, 02:07 AM

You can do a whole lot better than this.
Grit your teeth-move on.

garyed50 · 05-11-2015, 08:13 PM

Went back and after a complete exam I found its actually a 9mm and is indeed a parts gun. The serial number below the barrel is clear but there are no numbers anywhere else save the toggle which is different. The barrel itself is clear of any marks. I also discovered its a FXO Magazine.

I understand all your concerns and thank you all for input. I've found a buyer for the magazine alone that brings the cost of the gun down to a level i'm comfortable with so I bought the luger this afternoon and started the waiting period

Gary

Dwight Gruber · 05-11-2015, 10:34 PM

Let us all know how it works out on the range.

--Dwight

DavidJayUden · 05-11-2015, 11:23 PM

Way to go Gary. Now that you pulled the trigger I hope you find it is a perfect shooter. Keep us posted.
dju

rhuff · 05-12-2015, 04:21 PM

Congrats on your new purchase. Sometime we just want what we want.....plain and simple!! It should make a dynamite range gun, and everyone needs to have at least one shooter Luger.

05-09-2015, 04:58 PM	#1
garyed50 User Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Luger purchase should I or Shouldn't I Hey all I just found this beauty at another pawn shop near me 30cal in great shape some replaced parts non-original magazine. asking $1,500.00 Gary

05-09-2015, 05:48 PM	#2
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,347 Thanks: 7,285 Thanked 2,579 Times in 1,366 Posts	Hard to say, Gary, at least it is for me. If ANY Artillery is worth a minimum of $1k, $1.5k for this one (see below) might be just a touch high for a collector's price, more fair if considered full retail. Those more knowledgeable will also offer opinions, I hope. Looks like a commercial...some were re-/custom barreled by importers, e.g. Stoeger. Import marked? S/N on barrel, or no? Grips numbered? The small parts should be strawed, I'd say, so maybe a refinish--maybe done without buffing because the edges look sharp and clean in this single pic? The mag bottom appears a bit beaten up, but due to retaining pin in center of knob, I'll be it's an FXO, which could be sold to someone who needs WWII, reducing net outlay for the pistol. Odds in favor of its being a great shooter! More pics would help! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

05-10-2015, 03:01 PM	#10
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	quote What are you looking for in a Luger? As a shooter, .30 cal. ammunition is not convenient to find, and is very expensive. As a collector piece, this is not even an artillery, it is a re-blued parts gun. Walk away, save your $1,500 and add to it when you can, you will find a much better example than this. Dwight unquote I agree with Dwight, it might be an interesting gun, but if I were in your shoes I would leave it where it is. FWIW Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

05-09-2015, 05:57 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I see nothing that elevates this one over other "shooter" grade Lugers. I'd not even consider it until it is on "half-off" sale. But of course someone will buy it before then. dju

05-09-2015, 08:54 PM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	What are you looking for in a Luger? As a shooter, .30 cal. ammunition is not convenient to find, and is very expensive. As a collector piece, this is not even an artillery, it is a re-blued parts gun. Walk away, save your $1,500 and add to it when you can, you will find a much better example than this. --Dwight

05-09-2015, 09:17 PM	#5
garyed50 User Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	thanks everyone A error dodged I'll look elsewhere. Can the mods close this one please Gary

05-10-2015, 01:19 PM	#6
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 733 Thanks: 2,100 Thanked 610 Times in 329 Posts	Interesting gun, thanks for sharing. I'm curious about where you saw it and who built it.

05-10-2015, 02:43 PM	#9
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 grips have also either been "freshened" or are reproductions.

05-11-2015, 02:07 AM	#11
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	You can do a whole lot better than this. Grit your teeth-move on.

05-11-2015, 08:13 PM	#12
garyed50 User Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Went back and after a complete exam I found its actually a 9mm and is indeed a parts gun. The serial number below the barrel is clear but there are no numbers anywhere else save the toggle which is different. The barrel itself is clear of any marks. I also discovered its a FXO Magazine. I understand all your concerns and thank you all for input. I've found a buyer for the magazine alone that brings the cost of the gun down to a level i'm comfortable with so I bought the luger this afternoon and started the waiting period Gary

05-11-2015, 10:34 PM	#13
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Let us all know how it works out on the range. --Dwight

05-11-2015, 11:23 PM	#14
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Way to go Gary. Now that you pulled the trigger I hope you find it is a perfect shooter. Keep us posted. dju

05-12-2015, 04:21 PM	#15
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,291 Thanks: 2,709 Thanked 972 Times in 717 Posts	Congrats on your new purchase. Sometime we just want what we want.....plain and simple!! It should make a dynamite range gun, and everyone needs to have at least one shooter Luger.