Alarming rust...

[hardigasp]

Hi all members on Lugerforum,

I plan to buy a 1915 DWM Luger to an internet seller.

As we can't met before the sale, the seller has sent me some pictures...

It looks in good condition (for it's age!), but I worry about some rust that you can see on the handle (cf picture)

Is it a serious threat?

Thanks for your help
Patrick

[the gunman]

Its more than a serious threat . The gun is badly pitted this will greatly reduce any collector value.

[hardigasp]

Yes.... it's strange, but the handle is the only part which seems damaged.

No way to fix that or at least to stabilize it? I'm afraid that the rust creeps under the bluing.

Thank you for the advice, Gunman. It's difficult! .....the price is attractive (1.135,62 USD), but I have to think....

[Ron Wood]

I would not say it is badly pitted. Except for the heavy spot on the toe of the grip, the rust is mostly surface discoloration that has not penetrated to a significant depth. It will never be a fine finish, but a lot of it will clean up. Although I wouldn't make a great distinction between the two, this condition is usually referred to as "freckling" rather than pitting.

[hardigasp]

I add other views. Even freckled, it's not looking so bad, isn't it?

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/scurit_copy1.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload...rale_copy1.jpg

[ken d]

The pitting on the front grip strap may be partially scrubbed unit marks ?

Regards Ken D

[hardigasp]

I don't know if there are regular unit marks on the front of the grip (better than handle... confused).... It's difficult to see

On further consideration, I'm going to try to get discount, with your arguments, and then try a soft cleaning of the rust, with oil and soft steel wool, hoping it won't make worse.....

After all, even if it's not a masterpiece in a collection , it's still an interesting WW1 testimony

Thanks for your assistance, and help to decide on what to do

[Pete Ebbink]

Hi Patrick,

From your right-side photo of this luger, it appears the tip of the ejector may be broken off...is this the case ?

[Karl]

Patrick,

I agree with Pete: the ejector is broken. This is not a big deal, Tom Heller on the forum can probably provide a replacement, and it is not a numbered part. There are also some non-standard markings on the right rear side of the frame, it looks like a mark over "AN" and a "W." I do not know what they mean. Perhaps another forum member can identify them. Photographs are no substitute for a "hands on" inspection, however, aside from the pitting on the grip strap the gun appears in the photos to be in nice condition with the original finish. There is also some pitting on the safety lever, which is common. If the gun has all matching numbers, including the grips, but not including the magazine, a price of around US $1,000. is about right in my opinion. I would note the pitting on the grips and safety and the broken ejector to seek a lower price.

What are the regulations in France regarding the ownership of firearms such as this? KFS

[minigun]

If it were me, I think I'd pass....

Only my humble opinion though. Seems like a lot of problems to start out with.

[hardigasp]

Hi all
Pete and Karl, I'll ask to the sellor for the broken ejector.
I had not seen it

The AN mark is a french mark for neutralisation, on the frame and the barrel
I don't know why there is a "w"

Karl, we are not allowed to own firing P08, except with a shooter license (and in this case, only 7 guns allowed), as it's still considered as a war weapon.

This Luger is neutralized with a hardsteel plug in the barrel, etc..., and it's the only way to collect them freely here

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/dessus.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/plaque.jpg

To give you an idea about the "local" market prices, a S/42, 1936, in perfect condition is about 1300-1500 USD, neutralized or not.........

[LU1900]

............

[Karl]

Patrick,

I didn't realize the gun had been castrated. It seems from Pat's post above that the ejector was broken deliberately to make the gun "unfiring." This is sensless mutilation since the ejector has nothing to do with whether the gun fires. Also, in my experience, a Luger operates surprizingly well with a broken ejector. It's a shame we can't establish an exchange program with the "neutralizers" whereby we send them our broken ejectors, extractors, firing pins and crappy magazines in exchange for good parts that they would otherwise destroy.

Note that the left grip is broken under the magazine release. KFS

[hardigasp]

Karl,

English, especially technical, is not so easy for foreigners... and "broken" in Pat's comment is a bit excessive. Neutralization, although destructive, is not a furious and stupid mutilation. It's a little consolation, as we have to pay for it!

Modifications are not visible from exterior. If it was intact before the operation, the ejector is kept intact, as it's not a vital part, in accordance with your comment.

But for example, the claw (?) of the extractor is grinded. It's a hidden modification.

You're right... neutralization is sad, particularly on nearly 100 years old weapons, but it's the law. As a rule, I wouldn't buy a firing weapon that i have to neutralize, but only already neutralized ones, leaving intact P08 to licensed shooters.

Nevertheless, with these laws, intact P08 becomes more and more rare in EU. So, overseas, keep these old "Lulu" in cracking form!

The broken left grip is a point more for the negociation with the seller... you have a trained eye! I've written to the seller, wait and see

[Edward Tinker]

Karl, you're killin me btw, you have a box enroute as of today, I looked for a CRAPPY magazine, but couldn't find one, so the one coming to you is pretty nice


Ed

[Fabian23]

A castrated Lulu....so sad

I have heard rumours here (NL) that semi auto pistols have to be practically sawn in half so be considered deacts under NL law.

At least the French requirement means the deactivation is hidden away.