WWI Navy Luger Question

[Skip Pickett]

Hey guys:

A buddy of mine picked up a 1916 Navy Luger "out of the woodwork" and wants to sell / trade on it.

My question is... How many did they make of these things, ie... how "rare" is it? He is wanting $4k for it (some cash and some trade), and based on sites like Simpson Lugers, that's not a bad price... assuming it is all correct.

I have Jan Still's books on WWII Lugers and Weimar Lugers, but not the WWI book. I've searched the Net and can't find anything on the production numbers. Any input would be appreciated!

Skip

[Johnny Peppers]

For the years 1916/17/18 there were something under 8000 Navy Lugers delivered. I don't believe any were dated 1918, making the 1916 the lowest production year.
Value depends on condition, but if matching and nice condition the price is very good. Very few Navy Lugers have matching magazines (except those force matched), so that would be a plus is original and matching.

This is a 1917 date Navy.

[Skip Pickett]

Info

Thanks, good info! Wow, I didn't realize they made so few.

The one I'm considering does NOT have a matched mag, but a regular (not the Navy one with the circles) wood bottom mag.... it's like the one in the pic above.

Did they number all the internal parts like other Lugers... grips too? I can't wait to have a good look and take it apart.

Thanks again,
Skip

[Gene]

The Navy P.08 is hands down the best looking of them all.

[Skip Pickett]

Pics

Just got some pics... Here is the dude in question. Not near as nice as the one pictured above, plus it has some pitting going on that does not help it.

Skip

[Skip Pickett]

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[Skip Pickett]

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[Johnny Peppers]

The Navy P.08 is hands down the best looking of them all.

The German Navy adopted the Luger four years before the Army did, and it was adopted as the P.04 (Pistole 04).

[Johnny Peppers]

Thanks, good info! Wow, I didn't realize they made so few.

The one I'm considering does NOT have a matched mag, but a regular (not the Navy one with the circles) wood bottom mag.... it's like the one in the pic above.

Did they number all the internal parts like other Lugers... grips too? I can't wait to have a good look and take it apart.

Thanks again,
Skip

The Navy Luger was serial numbered in the commercial style rather than the Army style.

In 1916 and 1917 the concentric ring magazine bottoms were gradually changed over to the standard magazine bottom, but were still numbered in the vertical fashion with the Navy acceptance mark (C/M).

The end of the barrel appears to have been lightly polished to remove some pitting, and then blued, possibly cold blue. Just my opinion, but $4000 is a little too high on that pistol.

[FestungSpanien]

Does anybody have the figures of the commercial Navy's produced?

[ValhallaMilitaria]

Not a 4000 dollar gun as another member has already stated...maybe 2500-3000?

[Skip Pickett]

Thanks

Thanks for all the input! I got kinda "soft" when I got the pics. I'm passing for sure... unless reality hits my man!

Thanks again,
Skip

[Jerry Burney]

A friend just 3 days ago bought a 1906 Imperial nave in near mint condition from a dealer for $3500. This one is WAY overpriced. Conditionwise..I would say..$1800-2000 max and that's only IF everything is matching. One thing wrong sends it to the shooting range at $1500 IMO.

Jerry Burney

[Johnny Peppers]

If you can get near mint '06 Navys for $3500, buy all they have as there is profit left there.

http://www.fgsfirearms.com/lugers.php
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/di...mnum=9706458.0

[Jerry Burney]

Johnny..I think what is happening is people who want to actually sell in this terrible economy are realizing pricing is going to have to change or they will find themselves running a museum.
The buyer of a few years ago is now worried about keeping his house and car. I will always purchase if the price is right but if it is way too high I let the seller keep it. Eventually prices will adjust when sellers find out the buyer base is half of what it was 2-3 years ago.

Jerry Burney