WWII Lugar w/ Holster

[michaelc46]

My step-father passed away a few years ago and we found a German Lugar complete with Holster in his personal things. I believe he may have brought it back from his tour in France and Germany in WWII. He was a Captian in the Army then. With the pistol is also an arm band with the words : Deutscher Volkssturm Wehrmacht and the Nazi emblem.
The gun has the No. 1911 stamped on the barrell and the emblem of a crown and the word :ERFURT under it. The holster has some things stamped inside such as, I swear it says " KGB " and again "1911"

Can anyone give me any info on the history of this weapon?

 

[Chipperman]

Congrats on the gun, and my condolences on the loss of your step-father.

Welcome to THR!

You have a WWI vintage Luger. After WWI, many of them were restamped with a second date. If 1911 is the only date on there, then this one did not get the overstamp. The Luger market is very crazy.

Big things to look for, other than general condition: Matching parts, including the magazine. Whether that mag base is wood or metal, length of the barrel.
Pics would help also.

 

[michaelc46]

Thank You Chipperman. (you a golfer with a good short game)?

Just found this THR site. Still exploring, looks great.

I didn't realize the 1911 was a date stamp, I thought a model #.
The mag does have a wood base, did not notice before. Gun has 3 inch barrel. All the stamping numbers match. I have fired gun, works very, can hit cans at 15 yards. Overall condition is good, no rust but bluing is thin in couple area's on barrel. Holster seems in good condition too, considering age, strap and buckel work, some wear on barell part of holster but no holes or loose threads. Four diget serial #, mean early manufacture??

So any idea of value, just ballpark?? Can try and take picture if I can figure out how to run this video camera and post them.

Michaelc46

 

[Jim Watson]

Erfurt was the site of the Royal Prussian Arms Factory. It made Lugers from 1910 til 1918. Yours is from the first full year of production. With matching numbers it is worth a good deal. If the magazine number matches it adds value, if there is a unit designation on the front strap under the triggerguard it adds value, the numbered holster adds value. KGB might be the manufacturer's code for the holster. Or the owner's initials. Doubt the Soviets had anything to do with it.

A surrendered WW I weapon would have been souvenired then, given to a winning side, scrapped, or refurbished for issue to police or the small army allowed to Germany, in which case it would probably have been redated sometime 1920 or after.

I'm just guessing from limited information, but I suspect it was stashed out after WW I and carried again in WW II. If taken from the same man, the gun and the armband might have belonged to its original retired owner. The Deutscher Volkssturm Wehrmacht included about any male who wasn't already serving in the military no matter his age, young or old. It was ordered by Hitler to be formed in late 1944 at the end of the war as a last resort to fight and defend the homeland.

Erfurt Luger parts and machinery were sold to Simson & Co of Suhl after WW I.

 

[Bill B.]

Just a second note on your Luger find .......... the matching holsters go for about as much Luger will! My Father had a artillery model with the matching holster and stock that the dealer priced over a thousand dollars after my Father made a trade with him. He had no idea the holsters were worth that kind of money ........ .

 

[michaelc46]

Thanks so much for the info.

I had no idea of the history that might be attached to this gun. As a Captian in the Army and interpreter during the occupation after WWII, my step-father had told me he was in charge of procurring quarters from the Germans, for the officers. I have reason to suspect he aquired the gun from the home of one of them. In any case I am now very interested in this weapon and its story. I was going to sell it but may now keep it as a part of family history.

Again thank you for your help. I think I am going to like this site, am glad I ran onto it. Any ideas where I might find more info on this type gun?

 

[Chipperman]

If you decide at some point to consider selling it, get at least 4-5 estimates of value from reputable dealers who know their stuff about Lugers.

It sounds like this gun may be worth quite a chunk of change. I'd hate to think that some dealer will offer you $500 for it and sell it a day later for $5000.

Get some pics up so we can see it!!

The best idea is to keep it though.
(and don't shoot it too much. An all matching Luger is not something you see every day now. It would be a shame for something to break on it.)

 

[Third_Rail]

DON'T SHOOT IT!


Not any more than you have. And clean it properly, and make sure that boy doesn't rust. A real family artifact - keep it forever. You have a wonderful piece of history!

 

[michaelc46]

WWI Lugar

Ok Guys, tried to take picture of Lugar and holster with my cheap computer cam. Never done this before so not to good of picture. Will try again later to get better picture.

Thanks to all who had comments. Am going to try and find out more about this gun.

Thanks again. NO I WON'T SHOOT IT AGAIN!!!

 

[denfoote]

Go here.

http://www.lugerforum.com/

Nice luger!!
I have a 1917 Erfurt.

 

[michaelc46]

WWI Lugar

WOW! Did not know there was so much to learn about this gun and I owe
thanks to this site and you gentlemen.

I know now when and where it was made and have a pretty good idea
how it got to the good old USA. Since it seems that it is ALL original except
the mag. ( including the holster, I believe) I believe it may be quite valuable.
Anyone have any suggestions as to how best to get it appraised?

Gunbroker.com ?? Online places? Somewhere in Central Indiana?

After talking with my mother about my step-father, quite a story is developing about the history of this gun. The time he spent in France after
D-day and the Occupation in Germany. His Unit Reunion with the "Sons of Bitche", and the German family he stayed with during the Occupation. He went back there and members of the family in the same house remembered him.

My wife is a writer and says there may be a story here....

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Mike

 

[absolute0]

NEAT-O!

Glad to hear you're keeping it in the family - it's a true treasure!