[Guest]

I inheireted a Luger pistol from a relative and have no idea about it's history or value. My Grandfather got it new and had it all of his life. He immigrated from Germany and brought it with him, I guess. The barrel and frame carry the serial number 85802 and has a 4 inch barrel. It's in relatively good condition. It is 9mm and shoot well as I tried it at the range.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ron Smith]

Sabalo, Welcome to the nut bin. If you want good info. You need to provide good info. Photos are very important. List a discription of all of the markings on the pistol, and where they are located on the pistol. The ser# and barrel length don't mean much, without a thorough discription and photos. Kinda like saying I have a watch,what kind is it and what's it worth. If you can provide photos,you'll probably get more help than you can process. If you have trouble posting photo's. E-mail them to me, and I'll post them for you. <[email protected]>

Regards, Ron

 

[Edward Tinker]

Welcome Harry, Ron gives good advice, more information can help us very much. Being a 5-digit, it is probably a commerical made in the 30's, but further info is needed, proofs, markings on sides, all as Ron stated...

Ed

 

[Guest]

Here's a pic, not great but working on getting a better ones. On the bottom of the barrel there is an N with a crown above it, the same marl appears on the left side of the receiver. On the rear of the receiver there is a number - 02, 02 also exists on the bottom of the front of the receiver and the plare on removable plate on the left side of the receiver. If there are other marks that would help, let me know where, these are all I see. Thanks folks.

Download Attachment: Luger.jpg
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[Edward Tinker]

Harry, the 02 is the last two of the serial number and should be in many places. Being a "commerical" piece, it will have hidden or few numbers on it compared to other guns you see on this forum, as "military" models are marked in many and also obvious places.

Just going by the serial number, during the Weimar period, lugers were made that Jan Still calls the Weimar 5 digit sn DWM. Made through serial number range of 74845-91989, should have a blank chamber. Commerical models should have a 3 5/8 inch barrel (unload it, put a pencil down the barrel, mark the pencil, measure mark). Should have an upright Crown N proof, and most likely was made in 1919, 1920 or 1921.

More pictures, or other markings is always interesting. When / how id Grandad make it over? Did he buy and use it in the war, buy it and brought it over in 1936?

Ed

 

[Ron Smith]

Harry, Is there any kind of a mark on the top. A "Logo" of sorts? A scrolled DWM? It sounds like you may have a what's refered to as a 1923 Commercial.
Ron

 

[Guest]

Here are some new pictures. Hope they help.

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Download Attachment: Luger 2.jpeg
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Download Attachment: Luger5.jpeg
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[lugerholsterrepair]

Sabalo, I don't believe this pistol would have been hand carried to the U.S. The GERMANY found back of the toggle means it was stamped for export to an english speaking country and if it was purchased in Germany it would not require this stamp.Very nice pistol! Congratulations! I believe this pistol in 9MM is relatively uncommon. Jerry Burney

 

[Guest]

I measured the barrel, it's 4 inches using a pencil. Any idea as to a value of this gun ? Thanks.
Sabalo

 

[Edward Tinker]

Value can vary, very much, simply do to bad things such as reblue, parts wrong etc. Shooter lugers go for $450-$550 and up for good clean pieces. I would guess a gun like yours to be $600 to $800? Could be more, could be less, all depending on condition and who wanted it bad enough...

Simpsons is a great place to judge, keeping in mind it is retail prices and also if they say it is 95%, it is 95% and not a reblue.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/LugerRoom/DWM/dwm_lugers.htm

Ed

 

[Pete E.]

Blue Blue Of Gun Values (24th. edition, page 930...not the latest 25th. edition) lists a 1923's Commerical at :

$ 825 at 98% original factory finish with no Import marks
$ 525 at 95%
$ 385 at 90%
$ 335 at 80%
$ 285 at 70%
$ 250 at 60%

No mention of any premium for original 9 mm cal.

 

[aaron]

Pete, the blue Book is a useful reference, but when it comes to Lugers, I would estimate that their values need to be increased by 40% to 50%.

 

[Pete E.]

Hi Aaron,

On some models, I do not disagree with you...but on other models I think the Blue Book runs pretty true...

Here is a 1920's commercial on Gunbroker for a buy-it price of less than $ 600...pretty close to the BB values :

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=19871720

On the other hand, I see dealers continuing to use the BB to establish the "retail" value when a fellow comes up and tries to sell them a pistol...then they usually offer the seller somewhat less than BB notes...so maybe the value of this book is only for dealers...???