Question on 3 Lugers

Wilbur · 08-03-2004, 12:58 AM

I got these Lugers in the purchase of an entire gun collection and would like to get some opinions on their worth. I don't know their history, just what I can describe and the pictures. I have not disassembled any of them, nor have I or the previous owner fired them. The barrels are all in very good shape with strong rifling and just a little darkness in the grooves.

The first is a 1918 DWM. The numbers are all matching, including the magazine. The finish is about 70% or so. Unfortunately that finish is nickel. It probably looked great at the time - the markings are all very clear, even the machine marks. The grips are in nice shape, even a little sharp to grip.

The second is a 1917 Erfurt. Finish is probably 80% or better but could well be refinished (though not recently). The grips are in good shape but a little smoother than the DWM. There are two sets of numbers, like two guns had their parts mixed up. The barrel matches the frame. The magazine does not match either set (so I guess that's technically 3 sets) and has a woode end cap.

The last is a 1940 Mauser Russian reblue. All but one visible number matches - the one that doesn't was marked through and was "forced matched" with an electro-pencil (I suppose). The barrel doesn't have a number on it and the magazine doesn't match. The grips are like new.

All the guns have various small stampings that I can't really identify, except for the waffenampt (sp?) stamp on the Mauser and similar stamps on the other two that look more like eagles.

Wilbur · 08-03-2004, 01:00 AM

Mauser top (hit my image limit!)

[Edited to add]

BTW, I got two holsters to go with these. One is very used brown leather with lots of initials and such scratched into it. It's perfectly serviceable though (not falling apart). The other is almost new looking black leather with P.08 and a Nazi eagle-over-swastika on the back. It seems to be in far too good a shape to be vintage WWII so I'm assuming it is a recent manufacture. It even has what I assume is some kind of take down tool inside the little pouch.

jamese · 08-03-2004, 06:30 PM

Wilber,
If you are selling,I would be interested in the 1918 Nickel, whenever a fair price is established.

you can contact me at;

[email protected]

Jim

Hugh · 08-03-2004, 09:04 PM

James, I suppose you know that by declaring your fondness for a nickel plated gun you are opening the door for all the snide and derogatory remarks about "pimp guns" and "saturday nite specials" etc, that I Ed and I are periodically assailed with!

Wilbur · 08-03-2004, 10:14 PM

I'm keeping one of them and my brother and father are already Jonesing for the other two. Any idea on what these are worth or what to look for if any additional information is needed?

Edward Tinker · 08-03-2004, 11:41 PM

Hugh, you know I hate those bright colored guns! Mine is just "light" on blueing!

jamese · 08-04-2004, 08:17 AM

Hugh,
I guess itÃ¢??s that hot Florida summer sun corrupting by better judgement. IÃ¢??m looking for a good shooter after I transfered ownership of my other one to RK.

I thought a little 80 grit sand paper would remove most of the nickelÃ¢?Â¦Ã¢?Â¦Ã¢?Â¦. <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />

Jim

Ron Smith · 08-04-2004, 10:41 AM

I'll bet a table grinder and a good bastard file could get that barrel contured. Add a 3/8" lag bolt, and you'd have a fine sight. I did'nt know that John D had added a boat anchor forum?

Ron

Ron Smith · 08-04-2004, 10:57 AM

Hey! That's an idea. Ed how about a suggestion?
See if John would add a forum, just for odd,unusual and just plain strange Lugers and conversions. Get everyone to post there odd-ball custom reworks or made up Lugers. There would have to be alot out there that never get posted. IMO it would interesting to see just what people come up with.
Ron

Edward Tinker · 08-04-2004, 11:58 AM

Under discussions we can do this and then "lock" the thread so it stays to the top. I would say the vast majority of collectors on this forum don't have the guts to show the weirdos in their collection...

Wilbur · 08-05-2004, 11:48 PM

So nobody has an opinion on what these might be worth?

Edward Tinker · 08-06-2004, 12:51 AM

Wilbur, since all appear to be refinished, then $450-$550 each.

Ed

Pete Ebbink · 08-06-2004, 01:16 AM

Hey Ed,

I am not conviced the Erfurt is refinished...what do ya see that I am missing...? I think I see some good vestiges of the fire blue on the sear bar and even a toggle link pin...

But the mixed parts of the Erfurt would tend to keep its value in the range you say, even if not a refinished piece...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Edward Tinker · 08-06-2004, 02:31 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />The second is a 1917 Erfurt. Finish is probably 80% or better but could well be refinished (though not recently). <hr /></blockquote>Yes, but he said it, so I went by the man holding the gun in his hand, <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Ed

Wilbur · 08-06-2004, 11:22 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Edward Tinker:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />The second is a 1917 Erfurt. Finish is probably 80% or better but could well be refinished (though not recently). <hr /></blockquote>Yes, but he said it, so I went by the man holding the gun in his hand, <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Ed<hr /></blockquote>Keep in mind I also don't know anything about Lugers. I didn't know what "straw" was until I read it in an earlier post yesterday. My only reason for thinking it could be refinished was because it was in such good shape and I don't really know what to look for or what an original finish should look like. It is mixed parts though, that much is obvious.

I read something yesterday about the Germans nickle plating a lot of Lugers before sending them to the US. Does this mean the gun was most likely refinished over there? I assumed it was something done by a previous owner over here.

Edward Tinker · 08-06-2004, 02:07 PM

Wilbur, if orginal and unmessed with, then the value of the 1917 would be above $600-$800, all depends on orginality, condition, etc.

Ed

Wilbur · 08-06-2004, 02:39 PM

I'm assuming the $800 is reserved for all-matching numbers then? So basically I have a couple of $500 guns and, possibly, a $600 gun? That's about what I expected. That's fine, I only paid $100 each. I just wanted someone that knew more than me to give me an estimate before I gave them away.

Edward Tinker · 08-06-2004, 03:31 PM

Well heck Wilber, I'll triple your money and send you $600 cash for all three!~

Point is, a heck of a deal you got!

Ed

08-03-2004, 12:58 AM	#1
Wilbur User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Question on 3 Lugers I got these Lugers in the purchase of an entire gun collection and would like to get some opinions on their worth. I don't know their history, just what I can describe and the pictures. I have not disassembled any of them, nor have I or the previous owner fired them. The barrels are all in very good shape with strong rifling and just a little darkness in the grooves. The first is a 1918 DWM. The numbers are all matching, including the magazine. The finish is about 70% or so. Unfortunately that finish is nickel. It probably looked great at the time - the markings are all very clear, even the machine marks. The grips are in nice shape, even a little sharp to grip. The second is a 1917 Erfurt. Finish is probably 80% or better but could well be refinished (though not recently). The grips are in good shape but a little smoother than the DWM. There are two sets of numbers, like two guns had their parts mixed up. The barrel matches the frame. The magazine does not match either set (so I guess that's technically 3 sets) and has a woode end cap. The last is a 1940 Mauser Russian reblue. All but one visible number matches - the one that doesn't was marked through and was "forced matched" with an electro-pencil (I suppose). The barrel doesn't have a number on it and the magazine doesn't match. The grips are like new. All the guns have various small stampings that I can't really identify, except for the waffenampt (sp?) stamp on the Mauser and similar stamps on the other two that look more like eagles.

08-03-2004, 06:30 PM	#3
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 789 Thanks: 0 Thanked 84 Times in 34 Posts	Wilber, If you are selling,I would be interested in the 1918 Nickel, whenever a fair price is established. you can contact me at; [email protected] Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

08-03-2004, 09:04 PM	#4
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	James, I suppose you know that by declaring your fondness for a nickel plated gun you are opening the door for all the snide and derogatory remarks about "pimp guns" and "saturday nite specials" etc, that I Ed and I are periodically assailed with! __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

08-03-2004, 11:41 PM	#6
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	Hugh, you know I hate those bright colored guns! Mine is just "light" on blueing! __________________ 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

08-04-2004, 08:17 AM	#7
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 789 Thanks: 0 Thanked 84 Times in 34 Posts	Hugh, I guess itÃ¢??s that hot Florida summer sun corrupting by better judgement. IÃ¢??m looking for a good shooter after I transfered ownership of my other one to RK. I thought a little 80 grit sand paper would remove most of the nickelÃ¢?Â¦Ã¢?Â¦Ã¢?Â¦. <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

08-03-2004, 01:00 AM	#2
Wilbur User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mauser top (hit my image limit!) [Edited to add] BTW, I got two holsters to go with these. One is very used brown leather with lots of initials and such scratched into it. It's perfectly serviceable though (not falling apart). The other is almost new looking black leather with P.08 and a Nazi eagle-over-swastika on the back. It seems to be in far too good a shape to be vintage WWII so I'm assuming it is a recent manufacture. It even has what I assume is some kind of take down tool inside the little pouch.

08-03-2004, 10:14 PM	#5
Wilbur User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm keeping one of them and my brother and father are already Jonesing for the other two. Any idea on what these are worth or what to look for if any additional information is needed?

08-04-2004, 10:41 AM	#8
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I'll bet a table grinder and a good bastard file could get that barrel contured. Add a 3/8" lag bolt, and you'd have a fine sight. I did'nt know that John D had added a boat anchor forum? Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

08-04-2004, 10:57 AM	#9
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hey! That's an idea. Ed how about a suggestion? See if John would add a forum, just for odd,unusual and just plain strange Lugers and conversions. Get everyone to post there odd-ball custom reworks or made up Lugers. There would have to be alot out there that never get posted. IMO it would interesting to see just what people come up with. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

08-04-2004, 11:58 AM	#10
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	Under discussions we can do this and then "lock" the thread so it stays to the top. I would say the vast majority of collectors on this forum don't have the guts to show the weirdos in their collection... __________________ 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

08-05-2004, 11:48 PM	#11
Wilbur User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So nobody has an opinion on what these might be worth?

08-06-2004, 12:51 AM	#12
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	Wilbur, since all appear to be refinished, then $450-$550 each. 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

08-06-2004, 01:16 AM	#13
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hey Ed, I am not conviced the Erfurt is refinished...what do ya see that I am missing...? I think I see some good vestiges of the fire blue on the sear bar and even a toggle link pin... But the mixed parts of the Erfurt would tend to keep its value in the range you say, even if not a refinished piece... Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

08-06-2004, 02:31 AM	#14
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	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">The second is a 1917 Erfurt. Finish is probably 80% or better but could well be refinished (though not recently). </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Yes, but he said it, so I went by the man holding the gun in his hand, <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> 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

08-06-2004, 11:22 AM	#15
Wilbur User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Edward Tinker: <strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">The second is a 1917 Erfurt. Finish is probably 80% or better but could well be refinished (though not recently). </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Yes, but he said it, so I went by the man holding the gun in his hand, <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Ed</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Keep in mind I also don't know anything about Lugers. I didn't know what "straw" was until I read it in an earlier post yesterday. My only reason for thinking it could be refinished was because it was in such good shape and I don't really know what to look for or what an original finish should look like. It is mixed parts though, that much is obvious. I read something yesterday about the Germans nickle plating a lot of Lugers before sending them to the US. Does this mean the gun was most likely refinished over there? I assumed it was something done by a previous owner over here.

08-06-2004, 02:07 PM	#16
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	Wilbur, if orginal and unmessed with, then the value of the 1917 would be above $600-$800, all depends on orginality, condition, etc. 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

08-06-2004, 02:39 PM	#17
Wilbur User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm assuming the $800 is reserved for all-matching numbers then? So basically I have a couple of $500 guns and, possibly, a $600 gun? That's about what I expected. That's fine, I only paid $100 each. I just wanted someone that knew more than me to give me an estimate before I gave them away.

08-06-2004, 03:31 PM	#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	Well heck Wilber, I'll triple your money and send you $600 cash for all three!~ Point is, a heck of a deal you got! 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