Hello all, I have a friend that is looking to buy a WWII German Luger.
He is not a gun guy and really doesn't now much about guns. He has talked to me about it, although I own several guns Im not a gun expert and I don't know any thing about the Luger.
So that leads me hear. Is there a way to tell what year a Luger was made? Also any info on these guns will be greatly appreciated.


In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer.

It is a specialized collectible. You can buy cheap junk, or spend thousands for a collectible. But if he knows nothing he will likely spend thousands for junk.

Best to study up.......
Amazon.com: luger: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41v9QZgutpL.@@AMEPARAM@@41v9QZgutpL

I know a lot about Lugers and the main thing I absolutely am certain of is they are not for a new gunner. They are unsafe guns and need to be very carefully handled. The date is usually easy to find as its prominently marked .The maker is a bit harder as the logo is in code as in the numeral 42 indicates : Mauser, Berlin, is just one example. I strongly urge your friend to become more acquainted with guns which are more user friendly IE: a nice S&W wheel gun. If he just has to have a Luger please get proper handling training before he loads it.
I know a man who didn't, and ended up very dead, do to a Negligent Discharge! He shot himself in the thigh and he bled to death in practically no time at all.

Go over to Jan Stills Luger board .You will learn a lot.

What are some of the reasons the Luger is dangerous Jack ?

Thanks guys, he is looking for one as a collectable not a shooter. I have asked him if he wanted to go to the range with me but he shows no interest in shooting.
I will check out the links provided and pass on the info to him.

In this world a man must either be anvil or hammer.

I have been doing business with Simpson LTD for years.

Simpson Ltd

They have a very large selection of Lugers on hand. They are also accurate on their descriptions. Have him look them over and give them a call. They offer lay away too.

+1 on Simpson. They are not inexpensive, but neither is anything else in the Luger world. What they are is honest, and they have a selection that is unsurpassed.

The safety is very easy to switch to fire unintentially and they can fire unexpectedly. No exposed hammer , awkward handling and generally not user friendly. The fellow I knew who shot himself was an experienced Marine Infantry man and if he had an accident imagine a newbe! There were many reasons why the 1911 won the Army`s handgun competition over the Luger and safety was a major one.
Even the Germans gave up on the Luger and went with the P-38 as a replacement and it is a totally deferent design which is much safer for the user.
I like Lugers, but would never rely on one, give me a 1911 or P-38 any day, that is if I can't have one of my beloved revolvers.

Lugers are very fine pistols and fit my hand like no others.
I would love a modern Luger, with good sites, for a carry gun.
I picked up a Black Widow BYF42 in a trade then found the Nazi Red Cross mug in an antique shop.
I have not tried to sell it but figured it may be worth $1500, but after looking at the site listed above it seems they are selling for around $2500 w/o accessories. Wow!
I think your friend is smart for investing in "precious metals".



Lots and lots and lots of info here:
Jan C Still Luger Pistols Central Powers Axis Pistols Discussion Boards From Gunboards.com

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A real sucker for the J-frames

There is so much to check over when purchasing a Luger, both for collectors and for safety purposes that it can't possibly be set down in a posting here.
They have been mfg'rd by various makers, for multitudes of Counties and for the commercial markets all over the world.
Markings, proofs, finishes, ser#'s and all sorts of things effect values. Many Lugers have mixed parts from other pistols and not necessarily from the same era either. Everything vastly effects value and some smaller issues are not readily seen w/o some experience with the Luger.
There are probably dozens if not more WW2 variations alone,,each with their own set of correct collector specs. Anything less diminishes value,,the trick is to know what and how much.
Some variations are common,,some very rare though they may look the same to the casual person like your friend who 'is not a gun guy'.

A shooter grade 'mis matched' ser#'d WW2 issue Luger could be a $500/600 gun depending on bore and finish.
It could easily be a $2500+ gun with matching #'s, excellent bore and orig finish.
Might be a Kreighoff mfg pistol instead of a Mauser,,but you have to know what you're looking at.

Not a good one to learn on by going in blind.
Do the homework first before buying.
There's some real junk & refab'd Lugers out there too that aren't worth the $$