First Luger and first Forum !

Andy C. · 12-02-2009, 09:59 PM

Hi Guys. After more than a week of reading here I now can clean, and I think, call my Luger a Navy LP08. It is a S/42 and has a German eagle mark on it. So I think it was made between 1939-40 but no dates anywhere. All the numbers match ( Ser. # 8773) and has one mag. with a wood bottom. The wood ball is broken into two pieces with one piece missing a chip. My pictures are of no help seeing any detail. So, I am sending a photo copy of each side of the weapon with ALL markings shown by hand. Hope this helps.
I have $1,600.00 invested so all the information (good and bad) and history on this Luger will be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks !!

Sorry Guys, I am having a problem getting the web site to take my attachments. I will keep trying and any help in this area as well is appreciated.

sheepherder · 12-02-2009, 10:31 PM

Hello Andy!

IIRC, the LP08 is the artillery Luger...

Attaching the pics isn't hard...

Take pics of the serial at the front of the receiver, the top of the toggle, L&R views, rear sight (whatever it is), any proof marks, any marks on the top of the chamber...and anything else that looks like identifying marks...

Andy C. · 12-02-2009, 10:52 PM

Thanks,
What do you call a 8" Navy model ? I have the pictures ready, but when I hit the download I get a message that the web is down and to try latter.

sheepherder · 12-02-2009, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy C.

Thanks,
What do you call a 8" Navy model ? I have the pictures ready, but when I hit the download I get a message that the web is down and to try latter.

Click this link and try the steps...

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=22994

Where is the rear sight on your 8" Navy Luger??? On the toggle, or on the barrel??? Is it a 2-position adjustable sight???

Andy C. · 12-02-2009, 11:18 PM

It is on the toggle and not adjustable. Navy is my best guess at this time. It's tough being on the bottom of the learning curve. I'll try the link.
Thanks

Edward Tinker · 12-03-2009, 12:45 AM

Andy, you can follow the above steps and post pictures; or if needed, send them to me.

it sounds like a mismatch to me, as navy lugers are 6 inch or 4 inch barrels; plus the 8 inch was not matched up with a S/42 toggle. A S/42 would not have a wood base magazine, but be aluminum.

Is it all matching?

Is it all the same blueing?

ed

[email protected]

Edward Tinker · 12-03-2009, 01:42 AM

pictures for Andy

Andy C. · 12-03-2009, 09:10 AM

Thanks a million Ed for posting the pictures for me!!!

sheepherder · 12-03-2009, 10:24 AM

Arty notch in receiver; Erfurt??? The radius of the barrel flange looks too gradual to be made from the Luger blueprints...(Assuming the arty uses the same radius, which the ones I've seen pics of do)...

Front sight base looks like 4" base; blade looks higher than the 4" blade...

Serial stamped into the barrel...

Looks like a fun shooter; but the price seems...excessive...

In the stripped pics, it looks "in the white"...???...

Andy C. · 12-03-2009, 10:49 AM

Ed, Please explain " in the white" and how you measure the front sight base to get 4". Would this arrangement have been authorized by the German government at the time ?
Thanks

sheepherder · 12-03-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy C.

Ed, Please explain " in the white" and how you measure the front sight base to get 4". Would this arrangement have been authorized by the German government at the time ?
Thanks

Er..I'm not Ed (Thank God!

) but "in the white" means no finish/blue...

For the front sight base, take a look at the Artillery Luger section; look at the front sight bases...and compare them to a 4" barrel front sight base...(Or my pic below - Red lines in my pic point to the FSB)...

Here's a comparison of my S/42 4" barrel to a repro artillery barrel front sight base...I make the arty barrel FSB ~.090" higher...that's the base, not the blade...

Andy C. · 12-03-2009, 11:44 AM

Thanks Postino. Sorry about the Ed thing. Thats great information to have. I would say that the body rates 80 to 85% and the barrel 90 to 95%. Do you think the barrel is a reproduction or done by the Germans ?
A.

sheepherder · 12-03-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy C.

Thanks Postino. Sorry about the Ed thing. Thats great information to have. I would say that the body rates 80 to 85% and the barrel 90 to 95%. Do you think the barrel is a reproduction or done by the Germans ?
A.

Andy, I know nothing about Navy lugers...I've read here that some "Navy" Lugers had 4" barrels and fixed toggle rear sights...The stampings were what determined whether it was a Navy issue or not...but a toggle mounted 2-position adjustable rear sight and a ~6" barrel are considered "Navy" as well...

Closeup pics of those frame markings/stampings will show exactly what it is you have...or what it's not...Drawings are not much help, as there are Lugers out there with false markings on them, being sold for more that they're really worth...A good closeup of that barrel serial is a good idea, too...along with a closeup of the frame serial (to compare fonts and number heights)...And any proof marks on that barrel...

I understand that some Lugers were fitted with long barrels...I have no idea by who or what...but there are some excellent repros...

More knowledgeable people than me will no doubt chime in here somewhere...

It's an interesting Luger...I like long barrels...

wlyon · 12-03-2009, 01:31 PM

Andy
In my opinion, you have a luger made up from parts of other lugers. The barrel and the S-42 toggle were never originally together. The barrel was force matched by adding the frame serial number. It would make a good shooter but never a collectible luger. Can you still get your money back? I would place the value around $800 - 900 or so strictly as a shooter. I'm sure my opinion is not good news but maybe you can get a refund or price reduction? Welcome to the Forum and the crazy world of luger collecting. I'm sure others will get in here with their opinions. Bill

Norme · 12-03-2009, 01:54 PM

Dear Andy, I think the forum members have been reluctant to break the bad news to you,and Bill deserves a lot of credit for taking on this unpleasant task. If you can't get your money back, by all means enjoy this piece as a shooter. It might be a good idea, though, to have the headspace checked by a gunsmith. Regards, Norm

Andy C. · 12-03-2009, 03:08 PM

Thanks Bill and Norm. Life can be a b#*@# !! I was just looking for a luger to add to my military gun collection. Now I'm not sure . If the gun came from Germany this way I would keep and shoot it.
Rich, I have more up-close photos of the markings on both receiver and barrel if you think it is still worth looking at.
Thanks to all and any more ideas and information welcome.

A

sheepherder · 12-03-2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy C.

Rich, I have more up-close photos of the markings on both receiver and barrel if you think it is still worth looking at.

It is definitely worth posting pics. You may have a Luger that is worth more in parts than as a whole. Knowing what you have is always a good start.

Edward Tinker · 12-03-2009, 06:59 PM

more pictures.

Ice · 12-03-2009, 08:20 PM

Its nice looking and probably would make a good shooter if you can't get your money back. Don't let this experience discourage you about Lugers; we all make bad buys sometimes. The Luger is a fine collectible and a piece of history that you can hold in your hand. Read about these pistols here and strengthen your knowledge for next time.

Best of luck.

Charlie

sheepherder · 12-03-2009, 09:59 PM

Andy -

Take a look at the first pic in hueydriver's thread -

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=22836

Does your Luger have the crown over M on the left side of the receiver???

In the second pic, you can see that his Navy has the high front sight base, too...

12-02-2009, 09:59 PM	#1
Andy C. User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 10 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	First Luger and first Forum ! Hi Guys. After more than a week of reading here I now can clean, and I think, call my Luger a Navy LP08. It is a S/42 and has a German eagle mark on it. So I think it was made between 1939-40 but no dates anywhere. All the numbers match ( Ser. # 8773) and has one mag. with a wood bottom. The wood ball is broken into two pieces with one piece missing a chip. My pictures are of no help seeing any detail. So, I am sending a photo copy of each side of the weapon with ALL markings shown by hand. Hope this helps. I have $1,600.00 invested so all the information (good and bad) and history on this Luger will be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks !! Sorry Guys, I am having a problem getting the web site to take my attachments. I will keep trying and any help in this area as well is appreciated. Last edited by Andy C.; 12-02-2009 at 10:18 PM. Reason: no photos

12-03-2009, 12:45 AM	#6
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	Andy, you can follow the above steps and post pictures; or if needed, send them to me. it sounds like a mismatch to me, as navy lugers are 6 inch or 4 inch barrels; plus the 8 inch was not matched up with a S/42 toggle. A S/42 would not have a wood base magazine, but be aluminum. Is it all matching? Is it all the same blueing? ed [email protected] __________________ 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

12-03-2009, 01:42 AM	#7
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	pictures for Andy Attached Thumbnails __________________ 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

12-03-2009, 10:49 AM	#10
Andy C. User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 10 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Ed, Please explain " in the white" and how you measure the front sight base to get 4". Would this arrangement have been authorized by the German government at the time ? Thanks Last edited by Andy C.; 12-03-2009 at 10:52 AM. Reason: add more

12-03-2009, 01:31 PM	#14
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,637 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,561 Times in 956 Posts	Andy In my opinion, you have a luger made up from parts of other lugers. The barrel and the S-42 toggle were never originally together. The barrel was force matched by adding the frame serial number. It would make a good shooter but never a collectible luger. Can you still get your money back? I would place the value around $800 - 900 or so strictly as a shooter. I'm sure my opinion is not good news but maybe you can get a refund or price reduction? Welcome to the Forum and the crazy world of luger collecting. I'm sure others will get in here with their opinions. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

12-02-2009, 10:31 PM	#2
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	Hello Andy! IIRC, the LP08 is the artillery Luger... Attaching the pics isn't hard... Take pics of the serial at the front of the receiver, the top of the toggle, L&R views, rear sight (whatever it is), any proof marks, any marks on the top of the chamber...and anything else that looks like identifying marks...

12-02-2009, 10:52 PM	#3
Andy C. User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 10 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks, What do you call a 8" Navy model ? I have the pictures ready, but when I hit the download I get a message that the web is down and to try latter.

12-02-2009, 11:18 PM	#5
Andy C. User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 10 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	It is on the toggle and not adjustable. Navy is my best guess at this time. It's tough being on the bottom of the learning curve. I'll try the link. Thanks

12-03-2009, 09:10 AM	#8
Andy C. User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 10 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks a million Ed for posting the pictures for me!!!

12-03-2009, 10:24 AM	#9
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	Arty notch in receiver; Erfurt??? The radius of the barrel flange looks too gradual to be made from the Luger blueprints...(Assuming the arty uses the same radius, which the ones I've seen pics of do)... Front sight base looks like 4" base; blade looks higher than the 4" blade... Serial stamped into the barrel... Looks like a fun shooter; but the price seems...excessive... In the stripped pics, it looks "in the white"...???...

12-03-2009, 11:44 AM	#12
Andy C. User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 10 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Postino. Sorry about the Ed thing. Thats great information to have. I would say that the body rates 80 to 85% and the barrel 90 to 95%. Do you think the barrel is a reproduction or done by the Germans ? A.

12-03-2009, 01:54 PM	#15
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Dear Andy, I think the forum members have been reluctant to break the bad news to you,and Bill deserves a lot of credit for taking on this unpleasant task. If you can't get your money back, by all means enjoy this piece as a shooter. It might be a good idea, though, to have the headspace checked by a gunsmith. Regards, Norm

12-03-2009, 03:08 PM	#16
Andy C. User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 10 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Bill and Norm. Life can be a b#*@# !! I was just looking for a luger to add to my military gun collection. Now I'm not sure . If the gun came from Germany this way I would keep and shoot it. Rich, I have more up-close photos of the markings on both receiver and barrel if you think it is still worth looking at. Thanks to all and any more ideas and information welcome. A

12-03-2009, 06:59 PM	#18
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	more pictures. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 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

12-03-2009, 08:20 PM	#19
Ice User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 552 Thanks: 13 Thanked 69 Times in 57 Posts	Its nice looking and probably would make a good shooter if you can't get your money back. Don't let this experience discourage you about Lugers; we all make bad buys sometimes. The Luger is a fine collectible and a piece of history that you can hold in your hand. Read about these pistols here and strengthen your knowledge for next time. Best of luck. Charlie

12-03-2009, 09:59 PM	#20
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	Andy - Take a look at the first pic in hueydriver's thread - http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=22836 Does your Luger have the crown over M on the left side of the receiver??? In the second pic, you can see that his Navy has the high front sight base, too...