Price check on P-08 Luger

Buzzcook · June 19, 2014, 03:28 PM

So I work at an auction company and sometimes we get firearms from the estates we clear up.
While clearing a storage closet I opened a bag and said "my look at the Luger".
After checking to see it was safe I turned it over to the boss so I don't know whether it's matching or not.

http://salesroom.sunsetauction.com/0...extnight3.html

It's a WWII bring back. How do I know you ask?

I can say that the gun is clean and the toggle works.
My hope that it'll go for less than $800 or I'm out of the bidding.

Oh and there were two other guns in that closet, both loaded and both in a bag with lots of debris that could have snagged a trigger. So if you intend to file and forget your guns please unload them.

kilimanjaro · June 19, 2014, 03:45 PM

If you can, go higher than $800, it will probably go for a bit more, with vet papers.

Might get lucky, might not. Folks might be mowing lawns that day.

JT-AR-MG42 · June 19, 2014, 04:23 PM

Hoping you can get it, but 800 might be a bit low.

Make sure you also check the magazine numbers. If either or (both!) are matching, it will dramatically boost the bidding.

It is pretty rare to see the serial number suffix (which is part of the correct serial no.) on capture papers. If those papers had shown it, the pistol could dated.

Kinda interesting how they added the '655' inspector's acceptance mark after the serial instead.

Hey, good luck to you, JT

James K · June 19, 2014, 08:10 PM

If the inspector is WaA 655, the gun dates to 1940-1941, but pictures would be better. For the OP's sake, I hope he is able to acquire the gun, but I am afraid it will go for more than $800. Even a ratty Luger will bring that at retail, and most decent guns will go to $1200-1500 and up.

FWIW, the side plate does not look like it belongs to the gun; the wear and color just don't match the frame.

Jim

gyvel · June 20, 2014, 01:08 AM

The sideplate number is 77 which matches the serial number of the gun.

**44 AMP** · June 21, 2014, 10:10 AM

If you CAN get it for $800 grab it.

Without a good look at all the markings, I can't pin it down exactly, BUT, Lugers in the 40-42 era are listed in the 2006 Standard Catalog of Luger as being worth $750-1500 in FAIR condition. And prices have risen a bit since then.

The difference is which sub-variation (markings) you are looking at.

Bring back paperwork can only add to its value to a historical collector.

Good Luck!

Buzzcook · June 21, 2014, 11:55 AM

I'll get to examine the Luger in detail later today.

One of the reasons I'm stuck at $800 is because I'm also looking at a WWI 1911 in the same auction.

Since I won't be there in person, I'm bidding absentee, I can't bid on one and if I lose turn around and use all my money to bid on the second. So I have to split my bids between the two.

mardanlin · June 25, 2014, 03:47 PM

Best of luck to you, those are two beautiful pieces of history. Most people at gun shows around here ask about $2500-$3000 for lugers even without papers and 1911s usually see a $2000 sticker price. I don't see people running up to buy them, but I was under the impression that the prices on these guns had just skyrocketed but this thread has given me hope to keep up the search for a luger because I'd be willing to pay around $1000 for one, just not $2000 or $3000 that's insane.

**44 AMP** · June 25, 2014, 05:54 PM

Take a look at the shows, and what people are asking. Then look at what actually goes out the door.

Lugers are scarce, and all are in some form collectable, but not all are rare, expensive guns, even though the sellers would like to think that.

And don't be afraid to haggle. Lots of times, the prices asked are not what the seller will settle for. That gun with a ridiculous $2K price tag might be had for a lot less, especially after the seller has been trying to move it for some months, with no takers...

gyvel · June 26, 2014, 01:47 AM

Quote:

I'll get to examine the Luger in detail later today.

One of the reasons I'm stuck at $800 is because I'm also looking at a WWI 1911 in the same auction.

Be aware of the fact that the 1911 is a WWII (or later) arsenal rebuild.

**44 AMP** · June 26, 2014, 08:42 PM

Which is why $800 might cover it...

kilimanjaro · June 27, 2014, 12:39 AM

For my money, I'd buy the Luger and save up for an original WWI .45 if that's what you are looking for.

Buzzcook · July 14, 2014, 11:09 AM

I called the 1911 WWI era because it was made in 1918.

Sad to say both guns went for over what I bid. The Luger went for $1600 and the Colt for a way over priced $1300.

Good news for the seller and the auction house though.

gyvel · July 14, 2014, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Sad to say both guns went for over what I bid. The Luger went for $1600 and the Colt for a way over priced $1300.

Not really surprising...

kilimanjaro · July 14, 2014, 04:45 PM

Auctions.

June 19, 2014, 03:28 PM	#1
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Price check on P-08 Luger So I work at an auction company and sometimes we get firearms from the estates we clear up. While clearing a storage closet I opened a bag and said "my look at the Luger". After checking to see it was safe I turned it over to the boss so I don't know whether it's matching or not. http://salesroom.sunsetauction.com/0...extnight3.html It's a WWII bring back. How do I know you ask? I can say that the gun is clean and the toggle works. My hope that it'll go for less than $800 or I'm out of the bidding. Oh and there were two other guns in that closet, both loaded and both in a bag with lots of debris that could have snagged a trigger. So if you intend to file and forget your guns please unload them.

June 21, 2014, 10:10 AM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	If you CAN get it for $800 grab it. Without a good look at all the markings, I can't pin it down exactly, BUT, Lugers in the 40-42 era are listed in the 2006 Standard Catalog of Luger as being worth $750-1500 in FAIR condition. And prices have risen a bit since then. The difference is which sub-variation (markings) you are looking at. Bring back paperwork can only add to its value to a historical collector. Good Luck! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 25, 2014, 05:54 PM	#9
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	Take a look at the shows, and what people are asking. Then look at what actually goes out the door. Lugers are scarce, and all are in some form collectable, but not all are rare, expensive guns, even though the sellers would like to think that. And don't be afraid to haggle. Lots of times, the prices asked are not what the seller will settle for. That gun with a ridiculous $2K price tag might be had for a lot less, especially after the seller has been trying to move it for some months, with no takers... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 26, 2014, 08:42 PM	#11
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	Which is why $800 might cover it... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 19, 2014, 03:45 PM	#2
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	If you can, go higher than $800, it will probably go for a bit more, with vet papers. Might get lucky, might not. Folks might be mowing lawns that day.

June 19, 2014, 04:23 PM	#3
JT-AR-MG42 Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 555	Hoping you can get it, but 800 might be a bit low. Make sure you also check the magazine numbers. If either or (both!) are matching, it will dramatically boost the bidding. It is pretty rare to see the serial number suffix (which is part of the correct serial no.) on capture papers. If those papers had shown it, the pistol could dated. Kinda interesting how they added the '655' inspector's acceptance mark after the serial instead. Hey, good luck to you, JT

June 19, 2014, 08:10 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	If the inspector is WaA 655, the gun dates to 1940-1941, but pictures would be better. For the OP's sake, I hope he is able to acquire the gun, but I am afraid it will go for more than $800. Even a ratty Luger will bring that at retail, and most decent guns will go to $1200-1500 and up. FWIW, the side plate does not look like it belongs to the gun; the wear and color just don't match the frame. Jim

June 20, 2014, 01:08 AM	#5
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	The sideplate number is 77 which matches the serial number of the gun.

June 21, 2014, 11:55 AM	#7
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	I'll get to examine the Luger in detail later today. One of the reasons I'm stuck at $800 is because I'm also looking at a WWI 1911 in the same auction. Since I won't be there in person, I'm bidding absentee, I can't bid on one and if I lose turn around and use all my money to bid on the second. So I have to split my bids between the two.

June 25, 2014, 03:47 PM	#8
mardanlin Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2013 Posts: 208	Best of luck to you, those are two beautiful pieces of history. Most people at gun shows around here ask about $2500-$3000 for lugers even without papers and 1911s usually see a $2000 sticker price. I don't see people running up to buy them, but I was under the impression that the prices on these guns had just skyrocketed but this thread has given me hope to keep up the search for a luger because I'd be willing to pay around $1000 for one, just not $2000 or $3000 that's insane.

June 27, 2014, 12:39 AM	#12
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	For my money, I'd buy the Luger and save up for an original WWI .45 if that's what you are looking for.

July 14, 2014, 11:09 AM	#13
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	I called the 1911 WWI era because it was made in 1918. Sad to say both guns went for over what I bid. The Luger went for $1600 and the Colt for a way over priced $1300. Good news for the seller and the auction house though.

July 14, 2014, 04:45 PM	#15
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Auctions.