Price Check in Aisle 2!

MarkC · 01-25-2005, 09:15 PM

Gentlemen,

I hope that you can help me with this as I am a P.38 guy.

A brother-in-law of a now deceased police officer bought a Luger from him in the 1960's. He wants the gun out of the house as he is not really a gun guy. I want to make a fair offer for the gun and need a little help. The gun was sent to me for evaluation and I don't have my photo studio set up to take detailed photos but can describe what I have.

The gun is a 1938 S/42 Luger serial number 5076e with the e/63 acceptance stamps. It has an unnumberd fxo dual e/37 mag with the pin through the center of the base.

All small parts are numbered 76 except the grips and side plate. Here is a macro photo of the side plate which seems to have a number 7 on it but also a lot of small "dings" around the number.

The gun was stored in an old sock for 40 years and has some slight pitting around the muzzle and light rust under the grips. The left grip is smoother than the right with a few dings. The side plate has the same patina as the gun.

What should I offer him?

Mark

Russ · 01-25-2005, 09:22 PM

I would offer him 300.00. It is missmached.
Russ

Karl · 01-25-2005, 10:26 PM

Mark,

Of course photos would help a lot but mismatched, light pitting and the "patina" suggested by the detail of the sideplate indicate that this is a shooter and maybe not a good one. As such the condition of the bore is important. Russ's estimate seems a bit low to me but not crazy low, especially since you seem to be doing this guy a favor. The real question is: do you actually want the gun? If not, get some photos and post it for sale here. KFS

MarkC · 01-25-2005, 10:50 PM

Thanks guys!

Any more opinions on the side plate? There seems to be a "7" struck on it? Where did the side plate come from?

I think a fair price for a "shooter" is about $550.00. The bore needs cleaning but the lands and grooves are sharp. Will try to post some good photos this weekend. Everything else matches including the firing pin.

Just want to be honest with the guy. Should the grips be numbered to the gun?

I really need to start learning more about Lugers, only have 4 nice ones in my safe .... not counting the odd few shooters ....

Thanks

Mark

Frank · 01-26-2005, 08:53 AM

Mark, 1938 Lugers were shipped with grips numbered to the pistol (mostly, I would say all, but with Lugers I never say all or never say never, else I will get in trouble). Having said that, it's a mismatch so do you really care?

If it's in good condition, shooters are selling for around $600 and for all matched (except magazine) but less than about 80% original finish around $850. Prices are based on local and dealer prices I have seen. I would say $500 to $600 would be fair, depending on mechanical condition, bore and finish (pits and rust).

Good Luck!!

MarkC · 01-26-2005, 11:14 AM

Thanks guys, I'm going to make him an offer, should make a nice shooter.

pipeman45 · 01-26-2005, 06:45 PM

I think you are making a fair offer and like you said it should make a nice shooter. Good luck.

MarkC · 01-26-2005, 07:54 PM

I bought the gun, the action is very tight but she needs a really good cleaning.

It turns out the brother in law, a police officer, was a gun collector who collected guns from people who didn't want them around the house and turned them into the police!

It will go to the range with me on Saturday.

Is the unnumbered dual e/37 fxo aluminum bottom mag worth anything?

Was this a "spare" mag issued in the field as a replacement as were the early dual WaA marked unnumbered P.38 mags?

Mark

Frank · 01-26-2005, 09:43 PM

Mark, the fxo magazine was probably issued with late byf 41 or byf 42 Lugers. It could be an armorer's replacement. Most Lugers after the U-Block of 1941 were issued with un-numbered magazines, either aluminum or black plastic bottoms. Here I am speaking of Military Mausers.

In nice condition these go for $100 to $125.

01-25-2005, 09:22 PM	#2
Russ User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Reading, PA. Posts: 628 Thanks: 2 Thanked 38 Times in 10 Posts	I would offer him 300.00. It is missmached. Russ __________________ Livin the dream!!!!!!!!!!!

01-26-2005, 06:45 PM	#7
pipeman45 User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I think you are making a fair offer and like you said it should make a nice shooter. Good luck. __________________ Dave

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01-25-2005, 10:26 PM	#3
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 522 Thanks: 0 Thanked 271 Times in 118 Posts	Mark, Of course photos would help a lot but mismatched, light pitting and the "patina" suggested by the detail of the sideplate indicate that this is a shooter and maybe not a good one. As such the condition of the bore is important. Russ's estimate seems a bit low to me but not crazy low, especially since you seem to be doing this guy a favor. The real question is: do you actually want the gun? If not, get some photos and post it for sale here. KFS

01-25-2005, 10:50 PM	#4
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Thanks guys! Any more opinions on the side plate? There seems to be a "7" struck on it? Where did the side plate come from? I think a fair price for a "shooter" is about $550.00. The bore needs cleaning but the lands and grooves are sharp. Will try to post some good photos this weekend. Everything else matches including the firing pin. Just want to be honest with the guy. Should the grips be numbered to the gun? I really need to start learning more about Lugers, only have 4 nice ones in my safe .... not counting the odd few shooters .... Thanks Mark

01-26-2005, 08:53 AM	#5
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Mark, 1938 Lugers were shipped with grips numbered to the pistol (mostly, I would say all, but with Lugers I never say all or never say never, else I will get in trouble). Having said that, it's a mismatch so do you really care? If it's in good condition, shooters are selling for around $600 and for all matched (except magazine) but less than about 80% original finish around $850. Prices are based on local and dealer prices I have seen. I would say $500 to $600 would be fair, depending on mechanical condition, bore and finish (pits and rust). Good Luck!!

01-26-2005, 11:14 AM	#6
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	Thanks guys, I'm going to make him an offer, should make a nice shooter.

01-26-2005, 07:54 PM	#8
MarkC User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 478 Thanks: 1 Thanked 109 Times in 26 Posts	I bought the gun, the action is very tight but she needs a really good cleaning. It turns out the brother in law, a police officer, was a gun collector who collected guns from people who didn't want them around the house and turned them into the police! It will go to the range with me on Saturday. Is the unnumbered dual e/37 fxo aluminum bottom mag worth anything? Was this a "spare" mag issued in the field as a replacement as were the early dual WaA marked unnumbered P.38 mags? Mark

01-26-2005, 09:43 PM	#9
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Mark, the fxo magazine was probably issued with late byf 41 or byf 42 Lugers. It could be an armorer's replacement. Most Lugers after the U-Block of 1941 were issued with un-numbered magazines, either aluminum or black plastic bottoms. Here I am speaking of Military Mausers. In nice condition these go for $100 to $125.