1917 Artilley for review

photo-war · 08-21-2014, 03:45 AM

Dear forum members!
This one offered to me today and it looks very good from my point of view, but I need more opinions. Are there any red flags with this Luger? Is this ok to buy?
Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Alexander

spartacus38 · 08-21-2014, 04:01 AM

Big question:How much?
Looks original.
Bob

photo-war · 08-21-2014, 04:22 AM

Bob thanks for the input. $3700 for this one.

spartacus38 · 08-21-2014, 04:35 AM

Way too much.They made 90000 1917.
Compare the condition with Legacy Collectibles 1916 (only made 25000) for 3895.
Bob

alanint · 08-21-2014, 05:43 AM

Agree. This is a $2,500 or so pistol.

DavidJayUden · 08-21-2014, 08:47 AM

Does seem a bit pricey.
No huge red flags, except possibly the damage to the rear toggle link. Matching magazine, grips, internals? Holster, stock, etc?
dju

photo-war · 08-21-2014, 09:00 AM

Price is a subject to discuss I hope and much thanks for some argumentations for this discussion. Absolutely everything mathced (small parts, grips etc.), no holster and no stock.

sheepherder · 08-21-2014, 09:35 AM

It has the fine-tune rear sight. Does it also have the fine-tune front sight?.

Check the 'notches' for the elevator on the side of the rear sight. Are any chipped or broken? Check the elevator for function - Does it move without pushing the button in? (Sometimes, the elevator 'finger' will break off but the 'notches' on the 'ladder' will be intact. It will move without pushing the button in then too).

Does the rear sight number match the frame number? It may not - but somewhat of a plus if it does...

photo-war · 08-23-2014, 10:31 AM

I appreciate your comment and thoughts on this LP.08, a few photos of places that were pointed out above.

This one has the fine tune front sight as well. Rear sight has matching number, elevator works when pushed only and works perfect. The rear toggle link defect looks a trace of impact ...

DavidJayUden · 08-21-2014, 10:09 AM

3 photos detail significant damage to the rear toggle link. Not necessarily a deal breaker, but definitely a price-adjuster.
dju

lugerholsterrepair · 08-21-2014, 11:28 AM

In the second to last pic the rear of the bolt looks rough and molested. I am suspicious of a catastrophic blowout on this pistol that might have been repaired. Something hinkey going on. I would take it apart for a VERY close inspection on the inside.

John Sabato · 08-21-2014, 12:45 PM

Looks to me like someone used a hammer and punch mulitple times to obscure some mark at the bottom edge of the rear toggle... The result is ugly, but shouldn't affect functioning.

alanint · 08-21-2014, 01:25 PM

My guess is that the pistol was simply dropped from some height onto gravel or similar. The pistol's center of gravity would have rotated it so it would strike the ground precisely there.

It does happen!

lugerholsterrepair · 08-21-2014, 02:40 PM

I would take it apart for a VERY close inspection on the inside.

ithacaartist · 08-21-2014, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

I would take it apart for a VERY close inspection on the inside.

At least I hear you, Tom!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

It has the fine-tune rear sight. Does it also have the fine-tune front sight?.

Rich, IIRC, the adjustable front sights had already been discontinued by 1917, and the fine-adjustment aspect of the rear sight was being phased out that year. Some 1917 LP.08s will have the latter, some will not.

Edward Tinker · 08-21-2014, 04:22 PM

I would get it for cheap or do like Bob said and get it from another source. Tom at Legacy is very safe to deal with

you don't mention location or if you can pick it up without any trouble - which makes a diff to some people (not having to go through an FFL) - yes, oh CA, NY, MA, PA folks, you can actually buy a 'pistol' with no paperwork, legally in many states

Ron Wood · 08-21-2014, 04:33 PM

Early 1917 LP08s do have both front and rear fine tuned sights (I have one). They are kind of mixed in later production. Finally both were phased out late 1917 early 1918. Looking carefully at the photos, I believe the gun has both front and rear fine tuned sights. Enlarge the first photo and you can see the end of the front adjusting screw.

ithacaartist · 08-25-2014, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

Early 1917 LP08s do have both front and rear fine tuned sights (I have one). They are kind of mixed in later production. Finally both were phased out late 1917 early 1918. Looking carefully at the photos, I believe the gun has both front and rear fine tuned sights. Enlarge the first photo and you can see the end of the front adjusting screw.

Thanks for clarifying, Ron!

08-21-2014, 03:45 AM	#1
photo-war User Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 35 Thanks: 24 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	1917 Artilley for review Dear forum members! This one offered to me today and it looks very good from my point of view, but I need more opinions. Are there any red flags with this Luger? Is this ok to buy? Thanks in advance! Best regards, Alexander Attached Thumbnails

08-21-2014, 09:35 AM	#8
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,183 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	It has the fine-tune rear sight. Does it also have the fine-tune front sight?. Check the 'notches' for the elevator on the side of the rear sight. Are any chipped or broken? Check the elevator for function - Does it move without pushing the button in? (Sometimes, the elevator 'finger' will break off but the 'notches' on the 'ladder' will be intact. It will move without pushing the button in then too). Does the rear sight number match the frame number? It may not - but somewhat of a plus if it does... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

08-23-2014, 10:31 AM	#9
photo-war User Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 35 Thanks: 24 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	I appreciate your comment and thoughts on this LP.08, a few photos of places that were pointed out above. This one has the fine tune front sight as well. Rear sight has matching number, elevator works when pushed only and works perfect. The rear toggle link defect looks a trace of impact ... Attached Thumbnails

08-21-2014, 11:28 AM	#11
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	In the second to last pic the rear of the bolt looks rough and molested. I am suspicious of a catastrophic blowout on this pistol that might have been repaired. Something hinkey going on. I would take it apart for a VERY close inspection on the inside. __________________ 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."

08-21-2014, 12:45 PM	#12
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	Looks to me like someone used a hammer and punch mulitple times to obscure some mark at the bottom edge of the rear toggle... The result is ugly, but shouldn't affect functioning. __________________ 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..."*

08-21-2014, 04:01 AM	#2
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	Big question:How much? Looks original. Bob

08-21-2014, 04:22 AM	#3
photo-war User Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 35 Thanks: 24 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Bob thanks for the input. $3700 for this one.

08-21-2014, 04:35 AM	#4
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	Way too much.They made 90000 1917. Compare the condition with Legacy Collectibles 1916 (only made 25000) for 3895. Bob

08-21-2014, 05:43 AM	#5
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Agree. This is a $2,500 or so pistol.

08-21-2014, 08:47 AM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Does seem a bit pricey. No huge red flags, except possibly the damage to the rear toggle link. Matching magazine, grips, internals? Holster, stock, etc? dju

08-21-2014, 09:00 AM	#7
photo-war User Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 35 Thanks: 24 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Price is a subject to discuss I hope and much thanks for some argumentations for this discussion. Absolutely everything mathced (small parts, grips etc.), no holster and no stock.

08-21-2014, 10:09 AM	#10
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	3 photos detail significant damage to the rear toggle link. Not necessarily a deal breaker, but definitely a price-adjuster. dju

08-21-2014, 01:25 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	My guess is that the pistol was simply dropped from some height onto gravel or similar. The pistol's center of gravity would have rotated it so it would strike the ground precisely there. It does happen!

08-21-2014, 02:40 PM	#14
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	I would take it apart for a VERY close inspection on the inside. __________________ 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."

08-21-2014, 04:22 PM	#16
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	I would get it for cheap or do like Bob said and get it from another source. Tom at Legacy is very safe to deal with you don't mention location or if you can pick it up without any trouble - which makes a diff to some people (not having to go through an FFL) - yes, oh CA, NY, MA, PA folks, you can actually buy a 'pistol' with no paperwork, legally in many states __________________ 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

08-21-2014, 04:33 PM	#17
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Early 1917 LP08s do have both front and rear fine tuned sights (I have one). They are kind of mixed in later production. Finally both were phased out late 1917 early 1918. Looking carefully at the photos, I believe the gun has both front and rear fine tuned sights. Enlarge the first photo and you can see the end of the front adjusting screw. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction