1920 Erfrut Luger Value
This pistol has been passed around by my siblings since Dad came back from that dreadful disturbance in Germany. Now I have it. My first thought was to just get it cleaned up and working and waste a few bucks shooting it now and then. But I've decided to sell it. I'm not sure what it's worth in it's current condition or what it might be worth if I spent the $$bucks to have it restored. So, I'm asking the forum members for their thoughts about these values.
Couple of things: The cover plate is an obvious replacement. All the other numbers on parts are either 8088 or 88 including the underside of the barrel (no photo.) The magazine is not matched but my father brought two of these back so there is a slight chance that the magazines were switched and with a ton of luck may be able to find a matched numbered magazine. But for now assume not.
I'm guessing this is a military piece because of the three inspection stamps. Is that correct?
Couple of things: The cover plate is an obvious replacement. All the other numbers on parts are either 8088 or 88 including the underside of the barrel (no photo.) The magazine is not matched but my father brought two of these back so there is a slight chance that the magazines were switched and with a ton of luck may be able to find a matched numbered magazine. But for now assume not.
I'm guessing this is a military piece because of the three inspection stamps. Is that correct?
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IMHO the only thing going for it. Because of the replaced side plate, and pitted metal.
Is the 1920 date on the receiver. This denotes use by the post W W I German Army. That was established by the Treaty of Versailles. All their small arms had to be inventoried, and marked with the 1920 date.
There are collectors who collect these 1920 dated guns.
Even then IMHO, Due to the pitting and replaced sideplate, not hardly a big buck item.
You would be better served keeping it in the family. As a heirloom, in remembrance of your father and his service to our country, during the war.0 -
It is a representative piece as is and not not worth the money to restore. You would probably be looking at around $600 retail value, maybe a bit more if you can find the matching magazine. I'd just clean it up a bit and shoot it and then keep passing it along down the family line. All Parabellum Pistols (Lugers) are desirable and even non collector quality examples like yours are fun to shoot now and then. 0 -
There is something odd about that weapon. It may not have been made during the war and was actually assembled in 1920.
From 1916-17, all Erfurt upper receivers were notched for the artillery sight regardless of whether or not they were built as P08Langs. The Langs were prohibited after the war and yours isn't notched.
The proofs have no Fraktur letter and Weimar proofs were not yet available.
You may get more interest and jack if you word the title of the listing a little better and do a little more research. Usually when you see a 1920, it's above the original date and this one doesn't appear to be scrubbed.
ADDENDUM: That's a WWII era mag, you need a wooden base one for this weapon.0 -
Sometimes items handed down in the family don't include all the facts: in this case, someone left out the decade it spent in someone's damp basement.
The guys have given you the best case scenario. Based on the neglect that we see, I suspect that the bore & breech face are also badly pitted. Value could drop as low as $100-200. OTOH, some magazines in good condition are worth as much as $200-300 each.
In any case, I would consider this gun UNSAFE, & would not fire it before having it checked out by a competent gunsmith.
Neal0 -
Thanks - The real heirloom is his Colt, which he still hangs on to, he's 95 And still in command[;)] quote:. . .As a heirloom, in remembrance of your father and his service to our country . . .
I've seen many images of Lugers with the double 1920 stamp and always wondered why.0 -
OK, not good enough to bother with a restore process and might be worth $600 or less to a collector who wants one to shoot.
quote:Originally posted by mark christian
It is a representative piece as is and not not worth the money to restore. You would probably be looking at around $600 retail value, maybe a bit more if you can find the matching magazine. I'd just clean it up a bit and shoot it and then keep passing it along down the family line. All Parabellum Pistols (Lugers) are desirable and even non collector quality examples like yours are fun to shoot now and then.0 -
quote:Originally posted by ticbiz
OK, not good enough to bother with a restore process and might be worth $600 or less to a collector who wants one to shoot.
quote:Originally posted by mark christian
It is a representative piece as is and not not worth the money to restore. You would probably be looking at around $600 retail value, maybe a bit more if you can find the matching magazine. I'd just clean it up a bit and shoot it and then keep passing it along down the family line. All Parabellum Pistols (Lugers) are desirable and even non collector quality examples like yours are fun to shoot now and then.
If you decide to sell it, shoot me the auction. I might bid on it.0 -
I'm not sure I get what you are trying to convey to me. But I'm interested any unique attributes. The terms "Lang and "PO8Lang" are lost on me.
Would be interested in your title suggestion(s) Seriously, it's just a 1920 German Luger to me.
You did give me something to follow up - the wood base magazine. As kids, messing about with Pop's guns, if you had the magazine with the wood base, you had the "icky" weapon. There may be some hope in finding it because I do remember it. QUESTION? Would the wood magazine be stamped/branded with the "8088" as are the other parts?
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
There is something odd about that weapon. It may not have been made during the war and was actually assembled in 1920.
From 1916-17, all Erfurt upper receivers were notched for the artillery sight regardless of whether or not they were built as P08Langs. The Langs were prohibited after the war and yours isn't notched.
The proofs have no Fraktur letter and Weimar proofs were not yet available.
You may get more interest and jack if you word the title of the listing a little better and do a little more research. Usually when you see a 1920, it's above the original date and this one doesn't appear to be scrubbed.
ADDENDUM: That's a WWII era mag, you need a wooden base one for this weapon.0 -
The P08 Lang is the "Artillery Model" with 8" barrel and adjustable sight on the breech end of the barrel. 0 -
Thanks Neal - Even tough my Brother told me he had been shooting it when he gave it to me - it may have been just a ploy to dispatch me and gain a larger share of my Father's legacy. Course it appears my Father is going to outlive most of his herd and some of his grandherd as well.
If I keep it to use and enjoy, it will find it's way to a gunsmith.
quote:Originally posted by nmyers
Sometimes items handed down in the family don't include all the facts: in this case, someone left out the decade it spent in someone's damp basement.
The guys have given you the best case scenario. Based on the neglect that we see, I suspect that the bore & breech face are also badly pitted. Value could drop as low as $100-200. OTOH, some magazines in good condition are worth as much as $200-300 each.
In any case, I would consider this gun UNSAFE, & would not fire it before having it checked out by a competent gunsmith.
Neal0
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