1936 Luger

[Lmo]

My dad brought home a Luger after WWII, I'd say it is in "very good" condition and all numbers match. It's been in my life for all the 67 years I've been on this planet.

I brought it with me to California in 1973, and shoot is occasionally; I passed my NRA basic pistol course using it. I bought a CZ75 Compact because it feels very much like the Luger in my hand, and it weighs the same.

Both of my parents were meticulous record keepers (boxes of them in fact), but I do not have any documentation for it. As far as I can recall, I don't believe that I registered it.

Two questions;

1) Can I sell this weapon?

2) Is there a way to determine IF I DID register it as some point?

Thanks for any guidance on this.

[CSACANNONEER]

Of course you can sell it. You moved here with it in 1973 and there was no requirement to register it then. There is still no requirement for you to register it (until it is transferred).

Yes, there is a way to see if it and any other firearm is "registered" to you in CA's AFS. You just need to fill out a form, have it notarized and send in all required documents and a small fee to CA DOJ.

[rdfact]

So... it's for sale?

[sonofeugene]

Why, on earth, would you consider selling it?

No, there was never a need to register it. Likely it never was and frankly I wouldn't bother checking.

Does the SN on the mag match the gun? If so, that adds a lot of value.

If you don't know it already, be super careful removing the left grip so you don't break off that small piece of wood next to the safety.

And never, ever, store it in the holster. You can damage the gun that way. Always store separately.

And if you ever have any questions about your Luger, ask at the Luger Forum. Great people and super knowledgeable.

http://www.lugerforum.com

[Lmo]

Thanks for the speedy reply gents.

No, I'm not currently considering selling it, but someday I will have to. We have no children to pass it onto, and I don't want my wife to have to deal with it when my time comes...

The magazine number does match the rest of the numbers, but it only has one mag. It also has the take down tool.

As I mentioned, this pistol has been near, and dear, to me my entire life. I learned to strip it down to the bare frame when I was seven or eight years old. It lives in a nylon pistol bag with desiccant packets.

[Cato]

Thanks for the speedy reply gents.

No, I'm not currently considering selling it, but someday I will have to. We have no children to pass it onto, and I don't want my wife to have to deal with it when my time comes...

You don't have a deserving nephew or cousin out there?

I realize some folks don't, that's a sad reality.

In which case, perhaps you can give it to a trusted friend who will give it the respect it deserves.

[Munky]

Daddy, is that you?

[elk hunter]

LMO, look on the holster and see if it has the same serial number on it. Mine does and it's dated 1935 there could be other numbers stamped on it as well as a name and or a seal or crest.

[JohnnyMtn]

Please, please, please sell it, when you're ready, to someone who has a passion and responsible respect for WWII. A keepsake like that with all its historical significance must live on and be protected by someone that considers that history sacred. I would hate to see it sold to someone who simply wants it for their collection.

Ultimately it is your property and you are completely in the right to do with it what you want. But I'm just saying.

[john myers]

please post a picture of the top of toggle I am curious to know what it is

[tuolumnejim]

You know it's old and not very shiny so I'll be a good sport and give you fifty bucks for it.

[Sutcliffe]

Don't sell unless you REALLY need the money

Even then, advertise here on Calguns first.

Get snapped up really fast in that condition.

[omega]

dont donate it to a museum, they will just resell it for profit or take it home for their private collection, some people think donating something to a museum will preserve it for all to see, but museums often close or sell items or put them away and forget about them or get stolen by employees.

Ive personally seen numerous museums close or they clear out all the inventory never to be seen again.

[Lmo]

look on the holster and see if it has the same serial number on it. Mine does and it's dated 1935

We'll never know, the rear belt loop is stitched over the number. All I can read is "193_"

I'll have to set up some kind of proper lighting to get a good shot of the toggle. "1936" is engraved on the Receiver. "S/42" is engraved on the toggle, and the last two digits of the serial number are stamped into it.

[john myers]

We'll never know, the rear belt loop is stitched over the number. All I can read is "193_"

I'll have to set up some kind of proper lighting to get a good shot of the toggle. "1936" is engraved on the Receiver. "S/42" is engraved on the toggle, and the last two digits of the serial number are stamped into it.

thanks for sharing that info
the brother of a friend of mine went ashore at Normandy shortly after D Day and ended up in Germany along the way he picked up a Luger. on the voyage home all firearms were piled in secure storage when he left the ship he picked out the best Luger in the pile (not sure how he got away with this)many years later he gave it to his brother (my friend) he ended up storing it in a homemade leather holster hanging from a nail in his attic I was able to look at it a couple of times a very minty (despite the leather) 1936 dated Krieghoff