Value of 1938 Luger?

[batex]

I've always wanted a Luger. A local shop, not known for the best deals, has this 1938 Luger S/42. It's in nice condition overall with all matching numbers, except the magazine. Comes with 4 magazines two of which are authentic luger mags. Also comes with a reproduction holster and tool. I'm concerned the gun might be reblued, but nothing really tells me that. In fact, it looks about like other 1938 lugers I've seen online. I just really wish I would have taken better and more pictures, but this is all I have right now. Here are the pics.

Any idea as to the value of this gun? Ballpark, what would you pay?

 

[jonnyc]

It does look reblued, but the pics don't really tell the whole story. The holster doesn't really add much, but a wartime mag in good condition is worth at least $100, some even more.
Ballpark with original finish....about $1500-1700.
Ballpark refinished......about $900-1100.

 

[brnmuenchow]

Too hard to tell some go from condition and mfr. anywhere from $200-$20,000 for more rare fine condition models. I would say on avg. for a condition ready to shoot model may run you at least a few hundred bucks, but it wouldn't be collector grade by any means. IMO. (My father has been looking at those for years and has never pulled the trigger, because of price and condition. He wants one he can shoot, but he also wants one in great condition and can't seem to make a trade off that he is comfortable with.)

 

[Jim K]

It doesn't look reblued to me, but I could be wrong going only by the pictures. The repro holster and tool have little value, but the set might bring a few dollars. I would say $1800 for everything, but if I were buying I would probably try to dicker. Some folks try to boost the values they give in order to increase the prices of the guns they have for sale, but they won't pay those prices.

Jim

 

[MikeJackmin]

I'm sure it's reblued - some of those parts were originally straw-colored.

If it feeds from the mag and cycles well, and the bore is OK, it's worth at least $500. I have not seen a 'shooter' luger with matching numbers for less than that in quite a while. Lugers can be fussy about feeding with replacement magazines. Will they left you test-fire it?

 

[BigG]

s/42 is code for Mauser. Did the serial numbers match? My eyes are not as good as they once were but the parts I can see have 88 and 89 on them unless my vision is worse. The two numbers should be the last two of the four digits of the original five digit alphanumeric serial. For example L4088 would have 88 on most of the small parts. If the numbers don't match its a parts gun and only worth the minimum. I would think $500 would do it.

 

[jonnyc]

When was the last time you saw a $500 Luger??? If they actually exist, they will be a miss-matched piece of junk that won't shoot.

 

[batex]

Still thinking about this one. JonnyC, thanks for the information. MikeJackmin, I've been doing my research and I've since learned that Mauser stopped with the straw colored parts in 1937 so I do believe it to be original finish. The wear marks seems to confirm that as well as many other 1938 examples I've found on the collector websites. BigG, all the numbers match. 89 is stamped on every part I can see. Dealer said I could field strip it also if I had any doubt which was reassuring. He even allowed me to run an aluminum snap cap through it and confirmed that it's 9mm, the firing pin is in there and works, and that it loads, extracts and ejects fine as best I could tell without firing a live round. However, the dealer is asking much more than $500. The lowest he would go would be $1500 out the door (he originally had it priced at over $2300). Still thinking.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Well, there's one sure way to settle it...

Look around for a luger you like better, for $1500 or less. If you can't find one, then you know you've been offered a good price. You may or may not be able to resell it for that price, but you'll know you that can't find anything better, at least not right now.

The mismatched magazine will certainly put a dent in the collector value, and it may not feed properly. If you want it as a a shooter, I'd insist on shooting it first.

I'm surprised to learn that the straw parts were not used on all of them. Good to know. That's why I love this place.