ID'ing a Luger...What do I have?

Ed Blown Vert · 03-10-2014, 02:30 AM

My Dad passed away a while ago and gave me his Luger.
I don't know anything about it and was hoping you guys could help.

DavidJayUden · 03-10-2014, 05:38 AM

Well, it appears t be a .30 cal. model for the commercial market, probably mfg. during the 1920's. From these photos I don't see any problems. Finish appears to be original, and better than average.
A bit of paint thinner and a tooth brush may clean up the stains on the grip panels, but use great caution if you try to remove the left panel as it tends to chip under the safety lever base.
Congratulations, and welcome to the forum.
dju

Ed Blown Vert · 03-10-2014, 08:25 AM

I guess my Dad was misinformed, I was told this weapon came off a German Officer.
Thanks for the info.

Ben M. · 03-10-2014, 09:00 AM

wood of grips seems tho they might be replacements

Ed Blown Vert · 03-10-2014, 10:26 AM

Is there any value for a piece like this?

Sergio Natali · 03-10-2014, 10:37 AM

First of all welcome to this forum of Luger aficionados.

For what I can see from your photos looks as if you've got a nice gun.
These "commercial versions" of the military P.08 made in the early 1920 are often in pretty good conditions as generally they were not used during the Second World War.

Its value here in Italy would be of about Euro 1,900.00 (USD 2600.00)

Edward Tinker · 03-10-2014, 10:47 AM

wow, well, Italian values and USA values aren't even close - keep in mind that 9mm is not allowed, so 7.65mm are desirable.

Is it marked 'made in germany' or germany anywhere?

Crown N marked?

It is 'possible' it was a officer owned luger that went into war as 7.65mm was not the military round but was used. The suffix looks like 'k' so mid 1920's...

pictures are not the best (no offense) - I would say value is (low) $800 to likely $1100 (perhaps a bit more)- depending on if matching correctly (commercial guns are numbered, but in fewer areas). Condition looks good, but better lighting would help.

Ed

Ed Blown Vert · 03-10-2014, 11:20 AM

Sorry for the pictures, I was focusing on the markings. I will get some better images today.
I didn't notice 'germany' anywhere. But wasn't looking for it.
I noticed that number 1576 is in a few places on the gun.

Ed Blown Vert · 03-10-2014, 07:56 PM

I updated a few images.

DavidJayUden · 03-10-2014, 10:04 PM

Ed:
I'd guestimate $1000 for value, and while it could have been liberated from a German officer, it was not officially issued to said officer. Wrong caliber, wrong markings, wrong era.
But still a fine momento from your late dad.
dju

Ed Blown Vert · 03-11-2014, 10:11 AM

Thanks for all the info, sounds like it isn't anything special like I was told.

DavidJayUden · 03-11-2014, 11:49 AM

As Luger's go it is nothing special. But then again they are all special, artwork that shoots, especially those with family history.
dju

Ed Blown Vert · 03-22-2014, 11:49 AM

I don't plan on shooting it, I'll look for someplace local to possible sell it. Thanks.

stressed · 03-22-2014, 01:34 PM

Did your father tell you he personally took it from a German officer?

John Sabato · 03-24-2014, 11:46 AM

You can sell it right here in our FOR SALE forum... no fees. You just have to be very careful about the transfer of the gun to the seller, and abide by the local laws for both you and the buyer. You can sell it to any Federal Firearms license holder, or Curio & Relic licensed Gun collector directly. Shipment would have to be via FEDEX overnight to be legal, and only after you possess a copy of the purchaser's license. I don't recommend selling it to another person in California. The legal transfer paperwork would be cumbersome. If the gun is registered to you in California, you need to proceed with direction from the CA Attorney General's website to sell it.

Sergio Natali · 03-24-2014, 12:22 PM

Ed (Ed Blown Vert)

With all the respect, I don't know who and what you've been told about your dad's Luger, but I think that person was pretty wrong: every single Luger IS something special, it's "artwork that shoots" and shoots very well I would add, it's something made almost a century ago that if it could speak surely would teach us an interesting page of our history.
IMHO

Edward Tinker · 03-24-2014, 03:55 PM

From what I understand, 7,65mm lugers were issued to some folks, like Railroad Police and other gov't officials. The 9mm was a military and police round, but the 7.65mm was in use by many people. And remember, many of the lugers left the DWM factory in 7.65mm in the 1920's and then were rebarreled for the police. I would bet that many GI's would have trouble knowing the difference in uniforms in rank, especially a lot of WW2 civilian uniforms look pretty impressive, irregardless of their rank compared to a GI in fatigues

Ed Blown Vert · 03-25-2014, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressed

Did your father tell you he personally took it from a German officer?

I honestly don't remember if he took it or it was given to him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Sabato

....If the gun is registered to you in California, you need to proceed with direction from the CA Attorney General's website to sell it.

Didn't think about that, I am not sure who its registered to. Hmm...

Edward Tinker · 03-25-2014, 11:48 AM

Is it a requirement that EVERY gun must be registered in California John?

and at least via ATF, guns passed along via inheritance is covered and legal. If you obtain it like that, you would not need to go and 'register' it in most states, California, I do not know...

wlyon · 03-25-2014, 08:48 PM

Having recently sold a luger to a person from California I can vouch that the ATF rules do not apply. California has there own and they are fairly complicated. You can only ship to a FFL01. Even with a C&R on both ends. From my understanding all firearms must be registered. I am to the point of just not dealing with Cal. It just is not worth the hassle. Bill

03-10-2014, 02:30 AM	#1
Ed Blown Vert User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	ID'ing a Luger...What do I have? My Dad passed away a while ago and gave me his Luger. I don't know anything about it and was hoping you guys could help. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Ed Blown Vert; 03-10-2014 at 07:56 PM.

03-10-2014, 10:37 AM	#6
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	First of all welcome to this forum of Luger aficionados. For what I can see from your photos looks as if you've got a nice gun. These "commercial versions" of the military P.08 made in the early 1920 are often in pretty good conditions as generally they were not used during the Second World War. Its value here in Italy would be of about Euro 1,900.00 (USD 2600.00) __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

03-10-2014, 10:47 AM	#7
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	wow, well, Italian values and USA values aren't even close - keep in mind that 9mm is not allowed, so 7.65mm are desirable. Is it marked 'made in germany' or germany anywhere? Crown N marked? It is 'possible' it was a officer owned luger that went into war as 7.65mm was not the military round but was used. The suffix looks like 'k' so mid 1920's... pictures are not the best (no offense) - I would say value is (low) $800 to likely $1100 (perhaps a bit more)- depending on if matching correctly (commercial guns are numbered, but in fewer areas). Condition looks good, but better lighting would help. 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

03-24-2014, 11:46 AM	#15
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	You can sell it right here in our FOR SALE forum... no fees. You just have to be very careful about the transfer of the gun to the seller, and abide by the local laws for both you and the buyer. You can sell it to any Federal Firearms license holder, or Curio & Relic licensed Gun collector directly. Shipment would have to be via FEDEX overnight to be legal, and only after you possess a copy of the purchaser's license. I don't recommend selling it to another person in California. The legal transfer paperwork would be cumbersome. If the gun is registered to you in California, you need to proceed with direction from the CA Attorney General's website to sell it. __________________ 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..."*

03-24-2014, 12:22 PM	#16
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	Ed (Ed Blown Vert) With all the respect, I don't know who and what you've been told about your dad's Luger, but I think that person was pretty wrong: every single Luger IS something special, it's "artwork that shoots" and shoots very well I would add, it's something made almost a century ago that if it could speak surely would teach us an interesting page of our history. IMHO __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

03-10-2014, 05:38 AM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Well, it appears t be a .30 cal. model for the commercial market, probably mfg. during the 1920's. From these photos I don't see any problems. Finish appears to be original, and better than average. A bit of paint thinner and a tooth brush may clean up the stains on the grip panels, but use great caution if you try to remove the left panel as it tends to chip under the safety lever base. Congratulations, and welcome to the forum. dju

03-10-2014, 08:25 AM	#3
Ed Blown Vert User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I guess my Dad was misinformed, I was told this weapon came off a German Officer. Thanks for the info.

03-10-2014, 09:00 AM	#4
Ben M. User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Retired to Naples, FL. Posts: 488 Thanks: 90 Thanked 123 Times in 83 Posts	wood of grips seems tho they might be replacements

03-10-2014, 10:26 AM	#5
Ed Blown Vert User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is there any value for a piece like this?

03-10-2014, 11:20 AM	#8
Ed Blown Vert User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry for the pictures, I was focusing on the markings. I will get some better images today. I didn't notice 'germany' anywhere. But wasn't looking for it. I noticed that number 1576 is in a few places on the gun.

03-10-2014, 07:56 PM	#9
Ed Blown Vert User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I updated a few images.

03-10-2014, 10:04 PM	#10
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Ed: I'd guestimate $1000 for value, and while it could have been liberated from a German officer, it was not officially issued to said officer. Wrong caliber, wrong markings, wrong era. But still a fine momento from your late dad. dju

03-11-2014, 10:11 AM	#11
Ed Blown Vert User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for all the info, sounds like it isn't anything special like I was told.

03-11-2014, 11:49 AM	#12
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	As Luger's go it is nothing special. But then again they are all special, artwork that shoots, especially those with family history. dju

03-22-2014, 11:49 AM	#13
Ed Blown Vert User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I don't plan on shooting it, I'll look for someplace local to possible sell it. Thanks.

03-22-2014, 01:34 PM	#14
stressed User Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 197 Thanks: 41 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	Did your father tell you he personally took it from a German officer?

03-24-2014, 03:55 PM	#17
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	From what I understand, 7,65mm lugers were issued to some folks, like Railroad Police and other gov't officials. The 9mm was a military and police round, but the 7.65mm was in use by many people. And remember, many of the lugers left the DWM factory in 7.65mm in the 1920's and then were rebarreled for the police. I would bet that many GI's would have trouble knowing the difference in uniforms in rank, especially a lot of WW2 civilian uniforms look pretty impressive, irregardless of their rank compared to a GI in fatigues

03-25-2014, 11:48 AM	#19
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	Is it a requirement that EVERY gun must be registered in California John? and at least via ATF, guns passed along via inheritance is covered and legal. If you obtain it like that, you would not need to go and 'register' it in most states, California, I do not know... __________________ 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

03-25-2014, 08:48 PM	#20
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,636 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,559 Times in 955 Posts	Having recently sold a luger to a person from California I can vouch that the ATF rules do not apply. California has there own and they are fairly complicated. You can only ship to a FFL01. Even with a C&R on both ends. From my understanding all firearms must be registered. I am to the point of just not dealing with Cal. It just is not worth the hassle. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon