[Big Joe]

Hello all, I am new to this forum and so far I love it, have seen quite a bit of great information...look forward to digesting more! I've recently aquired a Luger and would like to gain the input of the membership here as to it's approximate worth and correctness? It is a 1937 S/42, I have attached many pictures, I did the best I could to try to capture as much of the gun as I could, with the exception of a good bore shot (which is in excellent condition). The gun appears to be all matching numbers including one matching mag, it came with a second non-matching aluminum base mag and a 1936 stamped brown holster. The only thing that I, as a Luger novice, have been able to identify as suspect is the lack of a number stamp on the safety latch/bar that pops up in front of the toggle when the safety is engaged. Also I was wondering if anyone here could tell me how many mags were issued with this particlar model Luger and if a matching numbered holster would have been originally issued or not? Any input is greatly appreciated, thank you - Joe.

P.S. More pics posted below.

 

[Big Joe]

More Pics

More Pics

 

[Big Joe]

More Pics

More Pics

 

[norme]

Hi, Welcome to the forum. Your luger is a 1st variation 1937 (strawed small parts). Later in the year the small parts were blued. These guns were issued with two magazines, the spare being marked with a + sign. The holsters were not numbered to the gun. Your luger looks to be in nice shape, unfortunately that safety latch is an unnumbered replacement. Regards, Norman

 

[Big Joe]

Norman, thank you for your response . As I suspected, the safety may not be correct . How negatively do you think this effects the value? What would you estimate the value of the package (one matching mag, one non-matching, non matching holster)?

Thanks again, Joe

 

[norme]

Dear Joe, That unnumbered safety bar makes it a very tough call. Some collectors wouldn't touch the gun while others might think of it as an honorable battlefield replacement. if it were numbered correctly, I would value your rig at $2,500-$3,000. I suppose you could deduct $500 for the safety. I would be interested to hear from other forum members on this. Regards, Norman

 

[Big Joe]

Thank you again, Norman. Yes, I would love additional feedback on this item from the membership, thanks again.

- Joe

 

[Edward Tinker]

I think the valuation is about right. I would not kick it out of my collection for the safety lever being unmarked. Better unmarked than a wrong number IMHO.


Ed

 

[Douglas_Jr]

I think the valuation is about right. I would not kick it out of my collection for the safety lever being unmarked. Better unmarked than a wrong number IMHO.


Ed

Amen to that.

 

[Jared]

Hi Big Joe,
You have a very nice looking s block first variation 1937 Mauser military with no Mauser hump. The safety lever is numbered as should be in your third picture. The safety bar that slides up and down to block the sear should be numbered externally as well. I think Norme's valuation and deduction for the unnumbered part to be a good estimate.
I certainly wouldn't be ashamed of your rig.
Jared V.

 

[Big Joe]

Thank You.

Thank you all very much for your input on this, I sincerely appreciate it! I'm new to Lugers as I stated in my OP, this one is my first, I doubt it will be my last though . Really, until I held one of these beauty's in my hand I failed to appreciate just what magnificent, historical, and overall marvels of machining that they really are! Safe to say, I may have a new addiction .

- Joe

P.S. Can anyone identify the "JVD" with an oval circle around it in Post #3, Picture #1? Is that an import mark?

 

[MFC]

Joe,
Is your holster dated 1935 or 1936? Looks like 1935, but I can't quite make it out. If 1935, it could fetch up to $1000 alone. I beleive the JVD stamp is an importer.

 

[Big Joe]

Re: Holster Stamp

Hi Mike, the holster is stamped "1936"...I couldn't be that lucky I guess. Do you think the import stamp influence value negatively at all?

Thanks for the input.

- Joe

 

[MFC]

Joe,
It does affect the value. I'm not sure how much. It certainly doesn't put it into the shooter catagory, but collectors want there guns as close to factory original as possible. Some guns have the import marks across the barrel or on the receiver in plain sight. At least yours is hidden under the sideplate.

 

[zinfull]

I have not seen that type of importers mark before. If the JVD is an import mark that would drop the value by half.

jerry

 

[FNorm]

Very nice rig. I agree with Ed.

FN