Buying my 1st Navy. Is it genuine???

WW2collector · 01-04-2011, 11:30 AM

Gents - please help! I always wanted a Navy luger, and it seems that the price is decent for this one..
the seller (although witha great rating score!) doesnt answer my basic questions as to a possible re-blue (pic 5), or whether the grips match the gun..
based on pics provided- would anyone be able to authenticate this Luger being Navy?

Thanks!!

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=209534127

alanint · 01-04-2011, 11:49 AM

Hard to tell if the finish is original from the photos provided. The engraved rather than stamped Navy stock number makes me nervous...

John Sabato · 01-04-2011, 12:07 PM

As may be obvious to old timers on this forum, this is a P.08 that MAY have been issued to the German Navy, but it is not a "Navy" model Luger.

I have to agree with Doug (Alanint) that it is not possible to determine if this gun has been refinished from the photographs that are available on the vendor site. Overall the gun appears to be in pretty good shape, but even if it is original finish, the starting bid of $4500 seems quite high to me.

The grip strap marking will have to be commented on by one of our members that specialize in collecting Navy marked Lugers...

Unfortunately, The passing of our good friend Tom Armstrong last year has really put a crimp in our Navy Luger knowledgebase... he was a walking Navy Luger encyclopedia... (you are missed Tom). Perhaps Leo Lavelle or George Anderson could comment?

DavidJayUden · 01-04-2011, 12:09 PM

I'm interested in what the experienced Navy Lugver guys have to say about this one too.
If I wanted my first Navy it would have to be the 6" job with the neat rear sight. That's a Navy Luger.
This one makes me nervous. Very nervous.
It could be a good one but if there is anything that is not correct it will be a very expensive mistake.
dju

Norme · 01-04-2011, 12:18 PM

Hi Gene, I don't see any obvious red flags with the item you posted or with an even nicer one on Randy Bessler's web site (see link). However, I must warn you that the pantographed property numbers on Kriegsmarine Lugers are easy to duplicate. When you consider that a Naval property number can add $1,000.00 or more to a guns value, they present an almost irresistible target to fakers. Many collectors, even highly experienced ones, avoid these guns altogether. Good luck, Norm
http://www.collectorfirearms.org/

WW2collector · 01-04-2011, 12:21 PM

Gents - thank you so much for your knowledgeable replies!!
I've read up Mr. Armstrong's posts, was was impressed at his knowledge and expertise.. may he rest in piece..

I guess I'll pass on this Luger... and keep looking!!

01-04-2011, 11:30 AM	#1
WW2collector User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY State Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Buying my 1st Navy. Is it genuine??? Gents - please help! I always wanted a Navy luger, and it seems that the price is decent for this one.. the seller (although witha great rating score!) doesnt answer my basic questions as to a possible re-blue (pic 5), or whether the grips match the gun.. based on pics provided- would anyone be able to authenticate this Luger being Navy? Thanks!! http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=209534127

01-04-2011, 12:07 PM	#3
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	As may be obvious to old timers on this forum, this is a P.08 that MAY have been issued to the German Navy, but it is not a "Navy" model Luger. I have to agree with Doug (Alanint) that it is not possible to determine if this gun has been refinished from the photographs that are available on the vendor site. Overall the gun appears to be in pretty good shape, but even if it is original finish, the starting bid of $4500 seems quite high to me. The grip strap marking will have to be commented on by one of our members that specialize in collecting Navy marked Lugers... Unfortunately, The passing of our good friend Tom Armstrong last year has really put a crimp in our Navy Luger knowledgebase... he was a walking Navy Luger encyclopedia... (you are missed Tom). Perhaps Leo Lavelle or George Anderson could comment? __________________ 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..."*

01-04-2011, 11:49 AM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Hard to tell if the finish is original from the photos provided. The engraved rather than stamped Navy stock number makes me nervous...

01-04-2011, 12:09 PM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'm interested in what the experienced Navy Lugver guys have to say about this one too. If I wanted my first Navy it would have to be the 6" job with the neat rear sight. That's a Navy Luger. This one makes me nervous. Very nervous. It could be a good one but if there is anything that is not correct it will be a very expensive mistake. dju

01-04-2011, 12:18 PM	#5
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Gene, I don't see any obvious red flags with the item you posted or with an even nicer one on Randy Bessler's web site (see link). However, I must warn you that the pantographed property numbers on Kriegsmarine Lugers are easy to duplicate. When you consider that a Naval property number can add $1,000.00 or more to a guns value, they present an almost irresistible target to fakers. Many collectors, even highly experienced ones, avoid these guns altogether. Good luck, Norm http://www.collectorfirearms.org/

01-04-2011, 12:21 PM	#6
WW2collector User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY State Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Gents - thank you so much for your knowledgeable replies!! I've read up Mr. Armstrong's posts, was was impressed at his knowledge and expertise.. may he rest in piece.. I guess I'll pass on this Luger... and keep looking!!