utm fk

GUN ROOM
February 2020 G&A 15
“Maybe one of my sharp-eyed readers more
versed in the history of the 101 Ranch than
I can provide us with further information.”
IDENTIFICATION
& VALUES
WORLD WAR I LUGER
Q: This Luger has been in the family since a great uncle
brought it back from Europe in 1945. The numbers match
as seen in the pictures. It was produced in 1918. The
holster has a date of 1942 and a Wehrmacht army stamp
on the back. Unfortunately, in New York City during the
1960s, when registration first started, the firearm was
taken to a police station where, as you can see, they
etched “NYC” and the registration number into the side.
My questions are: What is the value of the pistol and holster
and how badly did the etching hurt it? I know trying
to get it removed would hurt it even more. Now that I’ve
moved, I’ve been able to shoot it and was very pleasantly
surprised by how comfortable it shot.
J.E.
Bolivia, North Carolina
A: You have a World War I
vintage P.08 manufactured
by Deutsche Waffen- und
Munitionsfabriken (German
Weapons and Munitions
public limited company),
also known as “DWM.”
DWM manufactured some
190,000 Lugers in 1918.
Condition on your piece
appears to be about 60
percent. The electric pencil
markings definitely affect
the gun’s value, though the
DWM P.08 LUGER, 9MM, 60%: $1,000
two matching magazines
are a plus. The holster is
also a good period piece in
fair shape, though a world
war later than the pistol.
I’d value the whole rig at
around $1,100. The electric
pencil markings could be
removed, though to do it
properly would be pricey.
The fact the piece has been
worked on would not gain
you much in the way of
value. Cosmetics, however,
are another matter. If you
can live with the police
registration number, I’d say
do so.
GERMAN ÒTIGEÓ RIFLE
Q: Though I enjoy and use
all types of firearms, my
preference leans toward
blued steel and walnut, thus
I turn to your articles first. I
have my great grandfather’s
caplock rifle. I believe he
immigrated from Prussia
in the 1860s. I don’t know
if he brought the rifle with
him or if it was acquired in
this country. It is .54 caliber.
The bore is rifled with eight
grooves, approximately
1-in-32-inch right-hand twist.
It has an octagonal barrel
with a length of 28¾ inches.
The barrel is swamped with
maximum distance across
the flats being 1.065 inches.
THE AUCTION BLOCK
GARRY JAMES
GARRY.JAMES@
OUTDOORSG.COM
It has one standing and one
folding leaf rear sight. It also
has an aperture sight. The
aperture provides a good
sight picture, but there are
no graduations to allow
repeated adjustments. It
has double set triggers.
All furniture appears to be
iron with the exception of
the brass-tip ramrod that
is obviously designed for
the pointed bullet that is
cast from the mold that
accompanied the rifle. The
number “97” is stamped on
the underside of the barrel,
lock plate, trigger plate,
breach plug and trigger
guard. None of these are
visible when the rifle is
assembled. An elongated,
hexagonal box with the
letter “S” inside is stamped
next to the 97 on the barrel.
Metal-to-wood fit is tight.
A rare and desirable Elgin Cutlass pistol at the October 22, 2019,
Morphy Auctions sale realized a very respectable $12,000 including
buyer’s premium. The Bowie blade of this scare U.S. martial sidearm
was manufactured by A.P. Ames of Springfield, Massachusetts,
and the pistol itself by C.B. Allen, also of Springfield. It is dated
1837 and is one of only 150 that were issued, specifically for the
Wilkes South Sea Exploring Expedition of 1838 to 1842. This
example is serial number 147. The barrel and blade exhibit a brown
finish over minor pitting. The one-piece walnut grip has a small
split at the butt, but in general condition is quite good for this type
of arm. All-in-all, it is a fine example of a sought-after U.S. martial
pistol. For more information about this and future auctions, contact
Morphy Auctions at morphyauctions.com or 877-968-8880.