New Member Question

Lefty14615 · 09-11-2014, 10:38 PM

I am new to Lugers and have found a very nice 1920 commercial model in 9mm. The owner wants 1500.00 for it. The numbers on it match but mag appears to be a replacement. There is good straw on all the appropriate parts. I cant find anything wrong with it. Finish is pristine. Does 1500.00 sound like a decent price?

Thanks lefty14615

Edward Tinker · 09-11-2014, 10:56 PM

since you are new to lugers, I would suggest many pictures - as

1. price seems a bit top end for a commercial
2. would need to know what you consider a 1920 commercial
3. is finnish pristine or has it been refinished? even pristine, many of the commercials are very nice
4. caliber?

Lefty14615 · 09-11-2014, 11:20 PM

Its at a local dealer. He seems receptive to allowing me to take a few photos. I will try and get some and post them tomorrow. Thanks

DavidJayUden · 09-11-2014, 11:31 PM

Tread carefully here because you are talking pretty serious money for a commercial Luger, but let's wait for photos.
Is this the same dealer that has the 1939? If so you have some bargaining power.
dju

Lefty14615 · 09-11-2014, 11:45 PM

No actually the S/42 is with an individual. He is anxious to sell as he inherited it from his uncle who served in WWII and wants to use the proceeds to fund a new hunting rifle so he is kind of antsy to sell as hunting season is around the corner and I didn't want to miss out on a nice WWII Luger if it was worth the money. The commercial showed up in a local shop. Its just in such good shape and being 9mm I found it appealing.

lugerholsterrepair · 09-12-2014, 12:37 AM

One must be cautious with pretty girls, hunting dogs, used cars and Luger's. Look before you leap. $1500 is still serious money in my neck of the woods. Not overpriced if it's all correct but you need to know a lot about it.

Lefty14615 · 09-12-2014, 02:53 PM

Well he wouldn't let me take photos but he did break it down and all numbered parts matched. DWM on toggle. Germany stamped on left side very small. No date on chamber. 9mm, serial # 4344. Any insight is appreciated. Has not been revalued. He came down to 1450.

DavidJayUden · 09-12-2014, 04:56 PM

I'm envisioning a 1920's something alphabet commercial, and generally those are closer to $1k than to $1500. Granted, it being a 9mm helps its value, and I'm wondering if it is the older 1908'ish model.
It's your decision, but I'm hoping some others will chime in here.
If you buy that S/42 you could leave this seller a reasonable offer and go on about your business.
I suspect that you are overpaying by a couple of hundred, but of course the seller is a retailer, not a collector shuffling guns back and forth, so somebody has to pay for him to keep his lights on, kids in braces, etc.
dju

DavidJayUden · 09-12-2014, 04:58 PM

Also, if he won't let you take photos, will he grant a 3 day non-firing inspection? That would be one way we could get a better look at it and still give you time to undo the deal if it does not pass the smell test.
dju

mrerick · 09-12-2014, 08:34 PM

Very difficult decision, which I personally would walk away from.

If he won't let people with knowledge get a look at it, there is probably something wrong.

A 1920s commercial in 7.65 Luger should be $900 at most. These tend to have "Made in Germany" stamped on them.

If it's a "1920" Weimar property mark that might change things.

Thing is, you're walking into a deal at possibly mid to high to excessive high price points without the proper knowledge to judge things.

It is also possible that it is a recent Russian Capture import, with a max value of $750 or so.

Edward Tinker · 09-12-2014, 09:48 PM

If its what I am thinking, then a 9mm 'commercial' is much less common than a 7.65mm (30 luger). EVERYTHING depends on what it is...

Lefty14615 · 09-12-2014, 10:38 PM

Thanks to all! I think I will proceed with caution. Special Thanks Jerry for answering so many of my questions and taking my call..

09-11-2014, 10:38 PM	#1
Lefty14615 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 17 Thanks: 21 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	New Member Question I am new to Lugers and have found a very nice 1920 commercial model in 9mm. The owner wants 1500.00 for it. The numbers on it match but mag appears to be a replacement. There is good straw on all the appropriate parts. I cant find anything wrong with it. Finish is pristine. Does 1500.00 sound like a decent price? Thanks lefty14615

09-11-2014, 10:56 PM	#2
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	since you are new to lugers, I would suggest many pictures - as 1. price seems a bit top end for a commercial 2. would need to know what you consider a 1920 commercial 3. is finnish pristine or has it been refinished? even pristine, many of the commercials are very nice 4. caliber? __________________ 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

09-12-2014, 12:37 AM	#6
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	One must be cautious with pretty girls, hunting dogs, used cars and Luger's. Look before you leap. $1500 is still serious money in my neck of the woods. Not overpriced if it's all correct but you need to know a lot about it. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

09-12-2014, 08:34 PM	#10
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Very difficult decision, which I personally would walk away from. If he won't let people with knowledge get a look at it, there is probably something wrong. A 1920s commercial in 7.65 Luger should be $900 at most. These tend to have "Made in Germany" stamped on them. If it's a "1920" Weimar property mark that might change things. Thing is, you're walking into a deal at possibly mid to high to excessive high price points without the proper knowledge to judge things. It is also possible that it is a recent Russian Capture import, with a max value of $750 or so. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

09-11-2014, 11:20 PM	#3
Lefty14615 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 17 Thanks: 21 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Its at a local dealer. He seems receptive to allowing me to take a few photos. I will try and get some and post them tomorrow. Thanks

09-11-2014, 11:31 PM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Tread carefully here because you are talking pretty serious money for a commercial Luger, but let's wait for photos. Is this the same dealer that has the 1939? If so you have some bargaining power. dju

09-11-2014, 11:45 PM	#5
Lefty14615 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 17 Thanks: 21 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	No actually the S/42 is with an individual. He is anxious to sell as he inherited it from his uncle who served in WWII and wants to use the proceeds to fund a new hunting rifle so he is kind of antsy to sell as hunting season is around the corner and I didn't want to miss out on a nice WWII Luger if it was worth the money. The commercial showed up in a local shop. Its just in such good shape and being 9mm I found it appealing.

09-12-2014, 02:53 PM	#7
Lefty14615 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 17 Thanks: 21 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Well he wouldn't let me take photos but he did break it down and all numbered parts matched. DWM on toggle. Germany stamped on left side very small. No date on chamber. 9mm, serial # 4344. Any insight is appreciated. Has not been revalued. He came down to 1450.

09-12-2014, 04:56 PM	#8
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'm envisioning a 1920's something alphabet commercial, and generally those are closer to $1k than to $1500. Granted, it being a 9mm helps its value, and I'm wondering if it is the older 1908'ish model. It's your decision, but I'm hoping some others will chime in here. If you buy that S/42 you could leave this seller a reasonable offer and go on about your business. I suspect that you are overpaying by a couple of hundred, but of course the seller is a retailer, not a collector shuffling guns back and forth, so somebody has to pay for him to keep his lights on, kids in braces, etc. dju

09-12-2014, 04:58 PM	#9
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Also, if he won't let you take photos, will he grant a 3 day non-firing inspection? That would be one way we could get a better look at it and still give you time to undo the deal if it does not pass the smell test. dju

09-12-2014, 09:48 PM	#11
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	If its what I am thinking, then a 9mm 'commercial' is much less common than a 7.65mm (30 luger). EVERYTHING depends on what it is...

09-12-2014, 10:38 PM	#12
Lefty14615 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Central Texas Posts: 17 Thanks: 21 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Thanks to all! I think I will proceed with caution. Special Thanks Jerry for answering so many of my questions and taking my call..