Interesting Gesichert Luger

[Big Bad Bob]

So I was in a gunshop the other day, this shop has some very interesting items to say the least. To include an SVT-40 Rifle, which he let me handle but said was not for sale.

Anyway, he had a Gesichert Luger, stamped 1916 on the top,. He said it was "bastardized" gun, in that the grips had been changed and had some parts replaced on it. He said in his mind it was a shooter but not collector piece. He wanted $599, came with one mag.

Would you buy or pass?

 

[Coyote3855]

You don't mention condition. I've always wanted a "shooter" grade Luger and if this one is in good shape, I might shell out $600. Most of the Lugers I see at gun shows are priced higher but then they are on the table show after show.

 

[Jim Watson]

If it is a "shooter" will he let you test fire it?
That is not a bad price for a WORKING Luger even if mismatched.

 

[Big Bad Bob]

I would say its pretty rough, this picture is very similar to its condition. It did appear to function. I shined a light in the bore, no pitting or rust and the rifling was apparent so it didn't look shot out. The flat piece of metal by the take down lever is completely polished as well. Its a rough piece, the grips are black also.

Since I just bought a Shield I doubt I will be able to pick it up, but if someone is interested the gunshop has a gunbroker account, PM me for their name contact info. The gunshop in question is almost more of an antique gun museum than a gunshop. Always something neat to see in there.

 

[joem1945]

Put it in layaway for the future. Make payments to hold it for you.

 

[Old Fuff]

Gesichert means "Safe." When the piece is locked the marking is exposed, and when it's covered the pistol can be fired.

For what you describe I think it's slightly overpriced. If you want it as a shooter try it out first. If the seller said "no" I'd pass.

Many of the GI's that fought in Europe during WW2 are now passing away, and the guns and other stuff they brought back are showing up in estate sales and auctions. Premo Lugers go for out-of-sight prices, but as you go down the scale the values drop sharply.

Incidentally, the magazine that's pictured in the gun has an aluminum baseplate, and it too is a replacement. It should be wood.

 

[Monac]

Lugers can be nice shooters. I bought one when all the re-worked East German ones came in. The Luger collectors weren't interested in them at the time, so they were about $400-$450 in Shotgun News (which is what we had then instead of the Internet). They were all heavily refinished and had plastic grips, but mine shot very well. The East German magazines are very well made too, IMO.

 

[Mayvik]

Couple years ago I ordered a WW1 matching Luger from RGuns for 800. It showed up with a couple of mismatched small parts and a 1919 date. After a somewhat disturbing chat about how they thought that was close enough, I sent it back for a refund. Would have made a good shooter and not much collector value. I would have probably kept it for 5-600.

 

[Jim K]

I doubt that Luger had a 1919 date; if it did, you should have kept it.

Jim

 

[Quentin]

If it functioned well and had a good barrel I'd say a mixmaster Luger is worth $600. I bought one in 1975 that has parts from 15!!! P.08s. Yes, parts from fifteen WWI and WWII Lugers. It had a DWM frame, 1938 Mauser barreled receiver, DWM toggle train. The price of course was very low. I still have it and it's been a wonderful shooter over the decades. I picked up more parts over the years and have two complete uppers for the 1914 DWM frame, a 1913 DWM and a 1938 S/42 Mauser so it can look like a WWI or WWII P.08 and it functions well either way. So I'm not afraid of mixed parts in a shooter. It's sure a whole lot more fun than the pristine Mauser in the safe!

 

[Onmilo]

I might wave five c notes and a fiddy at the dealer and see what he does....

 

[wojownik]

If you can bring him down a bit in price, and put it on layaway, I'd do it ... I might even pick it up for his asking price, so long as it was mechanically OK.

Any more info on the maker of the luger (which would be on the toggle on the top of the pistol)? The word Gesichert means 'Safe' or 'on Safety' in German.

I picked up a mixmaster Russian capture for around $550 in the late 1990s. To be honest, I prefer the wear of the pictured pistol than the deep refinished blue the Russians put on my example.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Shooter?

The numbers don't match - but you want a shooter.
It's "rough" - but you want a shooter.

I'd try at getting it for a bit less but point of fact, if it runs well it's more or less worth the asking number.

And there's the rub - how's he gonna treat you if it doesn't run well?
Will he suggest an ammo he can feel confident will cycle it?

Not rhetorical questions but ones you should ask him.


Todd.

 

[Big Bad Bob]

The top markings are DWM and the year is 1916, only rollmarks I recall seeing on the pistol, other than the "gesichert" which thanks to y'all I now know means "safe" and isn't a makers stamp....:banghead:

These are all great questions I will ask him next time I am in his shop. I have never really bought milsurp, so other than "does it function?" Im not really sure what to ask and obviously I am no luger expert. Thanks!