1915 Luger

[gungate]

My BIL just inherited a Luger. I knew his dad and I have shot this gun. It's dated 1915 with a S/N of 1128. Any idea of value and rarity?

 

[Darkemp]

 

[somd_mustangs]

The s/n is 1128 b. (see front of frame and under the barrel).
It's kinda rough and possibly (probably) refinished. The big partial "X" on the left front of the receiver usually indicates a Russian capture. Nothing wrong with that but to many collectors it diminishes the value significantly. There might be something special about it (proofs, etc) but don't see anything unusual in the pics. A DWM 1915 isn't particularly rare, there's a bunch on gunpoker right now. It's probably $800-1000 "street value". It's hard to pin an exact value on anything these days though.

 

[gungate]

The s/n is 1128 b. (see front of frame and under the barrel).
It's kinda rough and possibly (probably) refinished. The big partial "X" on the left front of the receiver usually indicates a Russian capture. Nothing wrong with that but to many collectors it diminishes the value significantly. There might be something special about it (proofs, etc) but don't see anything unusual in the pics. A DWM 1915 isn't particularly rare, there's a bunch on gunpoker right now. It's probably $800-1000 "street value". It's hard to pin an exact value on anything these days though.

Thank you! That's very interesting. He has a broom handle Mauser too I should have taken pictures.

 

[mawkie]

I don't think that's a Russian capture. Finish looks original with proper "halo" around the SN on the barrel for instance. Easy way to tell if it's Russian capture or East German VOPO is to look for an import mark.
Agree with somd_mustangs on price. Would put it in the $1k range.
Would love to see the C96 Broomhandle. With the vast number of configurations you never know what you're getting until you lay eyes on it.

 

[Melnic]

Aren't the triggers supposed to have a different looking finish on them? Or is that just worn (patina) from the use?

 

[Doctor_M]

Looks like original finish to me. I'll agree with the 1K estimate. It is hard to find a Luger in any condition much less than that these days.

 

[gungate]

I don't think that's a Russian capture. Finish looks original with proper "halo" around the SN on the barrel for instance. Easy way to tell if it's Russian capture or East German VOPO is to look for an import mark.
Agree with somd_mustangs on price. Would put it in the $1k range.
Would love to see the C96 Broomhandle. With the vast number of configurations you never know what you're getting until you lay eyes on it.

I'll get pictures of the Mauser we're going back over later in the week. He bought that from a German seller in Germany like 30 years ago.

 

[mawkie]

So many C96s came into the country about 30 plus yrs ago when China opened trade with the West. They were, for the most part, in very rough condition. Most of those that came here from Europe are in much better condition on the whole.

 

[Yingpin]

I am working on investigating a Luger as well and one thing to start with is to take each piece off and see what numbers match. The last two digits of the main Serial number 1128 should be on many of the smaller parts. This will help you understand how far along the luger has come. They are priced all over the place but they are great pieces. $800-$1200 for a mix matched, with that kind of wear seems reasonable.

Frame, Barrel, Toggle x 3, Firing Pin, Take Down Pin, trigger, side plate, extractor, rear toggle link, safety bar, hold open.

 

[BigCity]

I am working on investigating a Luger as well and one thing to start with is to take each piece off and see what numbers match. The last two digits of the main Serial number 1128 should be on many of the smaller parts. This will help you understand how far along the luger has come. They are priced all over the place but they are great pieces. $800-$1200 for a mix matched, with that kind of wear seems reasonable.

Frame, Barrel, Toggle x 3, Firing Pin, Take Down Pin, trigger, side plate, extractor, rear toggle link, safety bar, hold open.

Go on the Luger Forum and post the pictures there

 

[calicojack]

I don't think that's a Russian capture. Finish looks original with proper "halo" around the SN on the barrel for instance. Easy way to tell if it's Russian capture or East German VOPO is to look for an import mark.
Agree with somd_mustangs on price. Would put it in the $1k range.
Would love to see the C96 Broomhandle. With the vast number of configurations you never know what you're getting until you lay eyes on it.

I have a red nine.

 

[somd_mustangs]

I don't think that's a Russian capture. Finish looks original with proper "halo" around the SN on the barrel for instance. Easy way to tell if it's Russian capture or East German VOPO is to look for an import mark.
Agree with somd_mustangs on price. Would put it in the $1k range...

That "X" is a classic R/C mark though and placed where the R/C mark is typically placed. It may have escaped the dip process, maybe brought back at some point before it got dumped into storage. There should be straw (or worn to bare metal) on the barrel latch, safety lever, trigger, ejector and maybe some more? Anyway without seeing it in person it's all speculation I think. But with the finish loss I also don't think it really affects value too much whether it's original finish or not. If it's got all-matching parts that might bump it up a little. With the crazy prices today it might bring more to the "right" person since it does have the "been there, done that" look to it rather than the ooky dip.

The biggest thing is that it's complete and fully operational rather than a junk-drawer parts gun. He should just enjoy it the way it is and keep it maintained. Maybe treat it to a new spring kit

https://www.gunsprings.com/LUGER/cID1/mID38/dID162

 

[gungate]

Here's the Mauser. Comments?

 

[mawkie]

Would love to see if there's an import mark on it. It's possible that an import might miss being marked but that's pretty rare.

 

[somd_mustangs]

I know there were a few importers in the 90's that didn't always put a mark on them (FGS for instance).
Could also be a case of a post-war bring-back of some sort.