[Guest]

I was in a local shop today and came across a long Luger.
The serial number was #2822. #'s matched all around except for Mag. Mag look original but had been somewhat restored, however pit marks showed.

The holster and the wooden stock looked reproduced even to my untrained eyes. The stock was piggy backed on the holster but looked like it was plywood. I really didn't look that close at it. If need be I would take pics for any of you folks!

It was on consignment for $2999.00, I asked the owner about it and she didn't know a whole lot other than a guy brought it in.

Now I know to some of you knowledgeable collectors on this sight probably have lugers worth that and more but how would one value this one.

Is this something worth looking at??

Thanks for any information! In regards to this luger I am trying to learn about what I was looking at and store this knowledge away for some future date. However, if this was something special I liked to know as well?

The shop owner says the person who brought it in said it belonged to her Grand Dad who brought it home in WWI. No proof though! At least none provided.

I also have these two pics in higher resolution if needed?



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[Ron Smith]

Hello Thunderstick! Welcome to the forum. I am not a Luger expert by any means.I do know alittle. I have about 40 years of firearms experience. Don't buy this one. It's an overbuffed, re-blued shooter. If you could get it for around $800.00. Maybe, it would 'nt be too bad. It is by no means original. Original rust blue has a deep, rich dull glow to it.Almost a velvet hue. The markings stamped on the pistol should appear crisp and sharp edged. Not smooth edged and wallowed like this one.

Depending on when and by whom this one was made. $2900.00 is top price for a minty collectable Luger. The repo(if it is repo)stock and holster, would add another $150.00 to $200.00 max., to the value. If it was original and matching in good cond. It could add $1000.00+. Either they don't know what they've got. Or they are hoping that you don't. I'm sure other members will agree with what I've said. And many of them have studied Lugers for many more years than I have.

Best of luck! Ron
This is a good example of a nice Artillery. The price is $2150.00. Check out the website. And read books. Lots of books. Learn first,know what you are looking at.
http://www.simpsonltd.com/LugerRoom/Artillery/AR-09/AR-09.htm

http://www.fgsinc.8m.com/photo4.html Another good site.

 

[Lloyd in Vegas]

Thunderstick,

I'm with Ron on this one. I think his observations and recommendations are right on the mark. This is a late war artillery that has definitely been reblued and heavily buffed. I have looked at quite a few artillery lugers over the last few years and the blue glossy color is all wrong for an original specimen. Like Ron says the original artillery lugers had a rust blue finish that had a dull matte non reflective look to them. This one you have pictured also looks like a lot of the edges have lost their sharpness from over buffing. I would say as a shooter the value would be $800--$1,000 maximum! If this artillery was in original all matching condition and included the whole rig (board/shoulder stock and leather) it very well might be valued at $3,000 or more. I have bought several Lugers from FGS and I have not been disappointed. Also, Simpsons LTD a midwest collectible firearms dealer (Ron has the link in his post) are very well thought of. Good Luck!

 

[keoki7]

Thunderstick, Ron and Lloyd are giving good advice as to the value of the Luger pictured. There may be some reasons that this piece might be worth more than a grand; date and maker's mark on toggle. If it were a 1914 DWM it would probably be worth more than $1000. If the holster/stock rig is original, even if not numbered to the gun, it could be worth $1000 alone.

Good pix of the stock and holster would help.

 

[Ron Smith]

Thunderstick, I joined this forum less than a year ago. I had'nt owned a Luger in years. Thanks to members like Lloyd, George, Jan, Frank, Jerry, Vlim and several other very knowledgable members of both forums. I now have the beginnings of a nice collection. And I'm proud to say, there's not a turkey in the bunch.(I'm refering to the pistols). These guys won't steer you wrong. Just hang on to your wallet!!
Ron
Not a very good photo,but you can get the point.

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[Guest]

Wow! You guys are great. My reason for posting the picture and asking about value is strictly for a learning experience. I saw the Luger and it was the first one I had ever seen and touched. I knew enough from following this forum as an observer that it was way overpriced. However, I didn't understand why it was overpriced.

I have only been following this forum for a few months but I really enjoy the detective work that goes into identifying a piece. I have never really seen a great collector's item, so I don't know the feeling of excitement that one must get when one gets to touch something like that, let alone own it and have it in their possesion.

I have always been a fan of history and enjoy history because of its relevance to present reality. However, I have very little knowledge of how one puts a monetary value on history. Yes, I understand the use of a standard grading system and that a piece may be of some great historical significance that would make it desirable. But, I still find it elusive to place a value ($$).

In regards, to the artillery luger being discussed. I should look for a date and stamp on the toggle. Since this is the only pistol I have to look at right now I want to use this (as much as possible) as a learning experience. The same with the holster, is their a place on the leather or the wood that would give me additional clues. I will try to research past post to see what has been discussed and I will search out other sites.

I'm a visual type person, I have to see things to learn about them. Any clues to where I can go for more info, I know their are lots of books but I don't have the advantage of being able to purchase them so I must use the "Net". Nearest library to me is 52 miles and it is small (tiny, tiny). Is their a good source for "mark identification" besides what has already been listed?

Ron, keoki7, and Lloyd in Sin City, thanks for your responses. I hope someday I can spread the knowledge of collecting like y'all!

Skip

 

[Ron Smith]

Skip, Study the forum. Do searches. Ask questions. I've been a member less than a year,and I've got 190+ posts. I pester the hell out of these guys, picking their brains and borrowing their knowledge. Post photos with the questions.

As far as the rig goes. Get the date and maker off of the top of the pistol. Look for marks on the front of the grip strap. Check the holster and stock for makers stamps,numbers and dates. Look at the back, under the flap,etc. Smell the inside of the holster. If it smells like a new pair of shoes, it's wrong. Should have a musty old leather smell. Look for signs of age. If it does'nt look 90 yrs old, it probably is'nt.

Ron

 

[lugerholsterrepair]

John, While this rig is not the biggest piece of crap on the Planet it is at least the biggest in Salida CO. Yes, the holster and stock are repro, poor Pakistani junk. I took this pistol apart in this shop and not only is it poorly reblued, it is filthy, not been cleaned ever.
The Gal who has it on consignment is really nice but neither she nor the owner know squat about German pistols or prices. I would hesitate to give $600.00 since the re blue is so bad. It is strictly a shooter.
The owner has obviously been doing some research on the internet and saw some decent pistols with holsters and stocks there and compared her Grandpaw's POC to them, hence the rediculous price that only a village idiot would pay. I must say there are quite a few village idiots out there with gobs of money so anything is possible....But I would guess this pistol will never sell. At least at that price.

Ron, The maker can be none other than DWM unless a substitute toggle was inserted and as I remember, the date on this pistol was 1917 .

Jerry Burney

 

[Guest]

lugerholsterrepair right on! It is a DMW and it is 1917 (DMW on the toggle was the only nice thing on this particular pistol). After the info that was provided by Ron, keoki7, and Lloyd in Las Vegas I made that samee determination that it was a shooter and basically way overpriced. I told the shop owner this morning it wouldn't bring any where near what it was priced at and she should relay that to the owner. I told her if they tried real hard they might get $800.00 but no more. I told her I would only go $650.00 but I really didn't want to buy it.

Again as always, I have learned from this site. I believe, in this case, the real value of this Luger belongs to the memories of her Grand Dad which most likely will never to be known.