1911 and a Luger help please

[00blkgt]

These are two of the firarms that I have recently inherited and was looking for some assistance on finding out the DOB and estimated value of each. Btw... Being the nice, self sufficient, family loving, helpful grandson in law has really been paying off lately. And I have only been in this family for around five years or so.


1. Colt- PT FA MFG Co Hartford Co 1911 #1639xx The bluing is close to half worn off but the internals look great.

2. Luger- 1937 S/42 (21 on Toggle) #80xx on side Numerous stamped marks. One looks like a bird with it's head facing one way and I am ubable to determine what the other two are. This gun is in amazing shape ( only some light holster wear on the edges of the gun ) and came with two beautiful old holsters and three magazines.

I thank everyone in advance for their help.

 

[DogBonz]

check out this site

http://www.sightm1911.com/1911Production.htm

This is what I found there

Colt: S/N 108,601 to 290,000 = Feb. 8, 1915 to May, 1918
(S/N 109,501 to 110,000 Navy Model, S/N 223,953 to 223,991 Navy Model,
S/N 232,001 to 233,600 Navy Model)
(S/N 151,187 to 151,986 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 185,801 to 186,201 U.S.M.C. Model,
S/N 209,587 to 210,386 U.S.M.C. Model, S/N 215,387 to 217,386 U.S.M.C. Model)

 

[00blkgt]

Thanks... anyone with any info for the Luger?

 

[alamo]

You need some expert advice on Lugers amd a specialized forum. Ask at the "New Collector's Board here:

http://luger.gunboards.com/default.asp

 

[Jim Watson]

Your Luger was made by Mauser (the S/42 code) in 1937. That is one of the more common late Luger P08 militaries.

There is a letter under the four-digit number to complete the serial number, they made a lot more than 10,000 Lugers but used letters instead of carrying out the serial number farther. All major parts carry the last two digits of the serial number. If the xx in 80xx is not 21, then it is considered mismatched. The magazines are numbered too, but they are hardly ever found with their original gun.

The small stamps are German proof marks and German Army acceptance marks of various sorts.

 

[alamo]

You need some expert advice on Lugers amd a specialized forum

I should say except when Jim Watson replies to your posting. You still might try the Luger forum with some pictures and they might be able tell you more about it. Check out all the markings and serial numbers on the various parts to see if the last 2 digits match the receiver and barrel serial numbers.

The "bird" is an eagle, btw.

 

[00blkgt]

You are correct. I went back and looked and the gun has 21 stamped all over it. Only one of the three magazines has the guns serial number matched to it. I also noticed that the same stamps on the gun are also on the magazine. I appreciate your time.
Thanks!

 

[unspellable]

Military Luger serial number

I will add few notes. The chamber date is actually also the first four digits of the serial number. The chamber date should be listed in any documentation. This is followed by the number on the front of the frame under the barrel and that in turn by the letter if any.

For the year 1937 Mauser would have dated all the chambers as 1937.

Numbering would start at 1 and run to 10000. It would then return to 1 followed by "a" to 10000 a, then 1 b to 10000 b and so on. In 1938 they would have started at 1 again. Under this system there may be quite a few Lugers with say the number 1234. Hence specifying it as "Chamber date 1937, #1234 b" is quite important. if there is no letter, its absence should be noted as part of the "number".

BTW: 1937 is approaching 1938 which is considered the high water mark of vintage Mauser production. From 1939 onwards wartime demands started cutting into quality of finish, etc. Production ended in June of 1942 although some were assembled from parts after that time.

This pistol is not rare, but there is a fairly high collector demand so if it is in good enough condition it will command a price.

 

[don95sml]

It sounds like you could have a Luger of considerably more value than you may think.
To learn more you would need to take some decent photos with a digital camera. As was previously suggested, the "experts" out there hang out at www.lugerforum.com. Suggest you lurk there for a bit and get a feel for the site. Then post a complete description of your Luger, with photos, and ask for comments as to possible value.

 

[00blkgt]

Thanks everyone