I got a Luger

[TheLastBoyScout]

My grandmother recently decided that she was no longer comfortable having a pistol in the house since my grandfather is suffering from alzheimer's , so she passed a Luger that he had collected in WWII down to my family.

It apppears to be in very good condition, with a date of 1920 stamped on and what my brother, a WWII buff, says are Weimar Republic markings.

Would it be safe or a good idea to shoot this piece, or would it be better to keep it as a "safe queen"? My dad stripped it and looked it over, and there are no obvious signs of corrosion, and the finish seems amazingly good for a weapon that had been used for probably years of combat and military service.

Are there any good luger information sites out there?

 

[guy sajer]

I bought my first Luger , an 8" Artillery model when I was in high school back in the late 70's . I don't have any now , but I've owned 5 or 6 since . Assuming it's not been abused , I wouldn't hesitate to take it for a day at the range .

 

[Greg L]

Nope, it is completely unsafe. Sent it to me for proper disposal .

It should be fine for a trip to the range however as a family heirloom I woulnd't shoot it too much.

Greg

 

[Gordon]

I'd shoot it for fun once in a while and CLEAN it properly right after. These guns are a fun project to clean correctly in it's self! Don't bugger anything up if you are not competent to do it! Then pass it on to your heirs (watch the rust from handling and storage!!!)

 

[4v50 Gary]

Dunno about sites, buy my very first handgun was the Mauser Parabellum (Luger clone).

 

[Jim Watson]

http://www.lugerforum.com/

 

[Walt Sherrill]

The gun is likely very safe.

But it probably has substantial collector's value -- and if you shoot it, you take the chance of wearing or breaking a part that is numbered. If the numbers don't match after a repair, the value will be reduced for a serious collector.

(I'm sure you feel you'll not sell if, because it is a family heirloom, but someone in the family may eventually sell it -- and you need to preserve its potential value for resale.)

Check out a couple of Luger websites and if there's a gun shop within driving distance that specializes in collectibles, have them look at it. It could be worth several $thousand, and that's worth protecting.

 

[BluesBear]

Does it have matching numbers?
Does it have the original magazine and or holster?

If no to the above it will make a great shooter.

If yes, it would still be a great shooter but it would be worth more to a collector the less it was fired.

I you plan to keep it as an heirloom then it doesn't matter what someone else thinks of the value. Shoot it if you wish.

Look here and see it they have anything similar/exact.

But no matter what... enjoy the craftsmanship and cherish the memories of owning it. It's a link to a distant time and place and a tangable piece of history.