S/42 Luger found by mistake

[Ben Cartwright]

Last summer I went to Cape Cod with a buddy who was going to buy a .22 from an old guy in Truro. He had said the guy had a Luger but wasn't interested in selling it. When we got there he had brought down a bunch of guns from the attic, they were all rusted from the salt air. There were two muskets that were toast an Arisaka sporter that had a light coat of rust on it https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=42584&page=1 . Then there was what looked like a P-38 holster, when I opened it there was the Luger. It had no rust on it, the holster must have helped. It was in great shape, but with a broken grip. Nice Nazi markings, but the slide is one number and the frame another, slide is 17 frame is 71.
I talked about how much the grip hurts the value and offered him $500 cash on the spot IF he would throw in the Arisaka. He hemmed and hawed, didn't really want to sell it but I turned on the charm and dropped 5 $100 bills on the table. Lucky for me he took it!

Information

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[Salt Flat]

Ben, AWESOME! You know that chipped grip is so minor I wouldn't even try to fix it nor replace it. That Luger is awesome as is. You scored bigtime. Salt Flat

[villiers]

Not bad! As it´s not consecutively numbered, it might be worth buying a new grip (they´re still being made here out of specially treated walnut that´s had the moisture taken out so they won´t shrink). Improved springs are available in the US. What´s the barrel like? And what condition is the holster leather in? Is the tool still in its pouch? And is the tool stamped?

[Ben Cartwright]

IT was a P38 holster, no tool. The barrel is nice, and it shoots really nice, functions perfectly.

[Johnny Peppers]

Looks like the top half off one pistol and the bottom off another.

The grip wouldn't be hard to repair for someone with wood checkering skills. The checkering hides the splice in the wood.

[Ben Cartwright]

That was my thought, and with one being 17 and the 71 I can userstand when someone might have been doing something with them, maybe in the Army or something getting them mixed up.

But for the price I am not going to complain.

[Midmichigun]

Ben,
You did real good with your finds. I figure that the Luger has that "been there... done that" look. Maybe NOT a trailer queen, but nontheless an outstanding find... that will make many a man jealous!
Thanks for sharing.... and yes, give us your barrel opinion....
To bad on the missing tool, but not a hear breaker!

[Ben Cartwright]

The barrel is bright and nice rifling, no pits. I enjoy just wiping it down and fondling it

[joem]

You got a heck of a deal. Really nice fing!!

[lude92]

That is soooo nice i have always wanted a luger very good find ...the grip to me is not bad i personal wouldn't replace them it gives it personality