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Black Widow Luger

SpartacusSpartacus Member Posts: 14,415
edited December 2008 in Ask the Experts
I'm thinking this would be nice in "the collection" but dont know much about German Lugers except that they are pricey!
can anyone give me some basic background and what to look for?
thanks!
tom
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Comments

  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Black Widow is an American collector name for a Parabellum made in '41 or '42 incorporating black plastic (baklite) grips. This was never an offical designation, but a selling aid. Mauserwerk (CODE byf) produced them and then produced P.38's in the latter half of 1942.
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  • SpartacusSpartacus Member Posts: 14,415
    edited November -1
    thanks!
    I saw one listed on the auction side that says it has a black plastic magazine. All others listed describe, or show, metal mags.
    Dide they make Baklite mags?
    tom
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    "Black Widow Luger" is a made up name coined by a American dealer years ago, for marketing purposes. They were Lugers manufactured during the early 1940's, toward the tail end of the Luger production cycle. Their black plastic grips and very dark chemical blued finish, is what caused this guy to put this fantasy name on them. Ask the kraut collectors in the fatherland about the Black Widow Luger, and they'll laught in your face.
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by tplumeri
    thanks!
    I saw one listed on the auction side that says it has a black plastic magazine. All others listed describe, or show, metal mags.
    Dide they make Baklite mags?
    tom


    He was probably referring to the magazine base. I don't believe the bodies of the Luger magazines were ever made of anything but metal.
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  • rhmc24rhmc24 Member Posts: 1,984 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    To round out your luger intro, the website lugerforum.com is where the hardcore Lugerophiles hang out. They were very patient and helpful with my newbie issues.
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,891 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Buying your first Luger today without an expert standing over your shoulder is about as risky as buying home mortgage derivatives: The odds are, you are going to be fleeced.

    I have been working with a friend who wants to buy a couple of them for almost 2 years (& I would only consider myself a Luger "advanced beginner"). There is just SO MUCH to be learned, & you have to get "hands on" experience as well as read books & study auction photos on GB. My friend finally got to the point where he felt comfortable buying (in the $1,000-1,500 range), but I had to steer him away from a lot of dogs. Gun shows are a good place to look, & I have found several dealers who were really helpful to novices.

    In general, avoid any Luger that has import markings. In most cases, any replacement parts drop the value down to "shooter" (except mags which are difficult to find matched). Learn to tell original from refinished bluing; a refinished gun is always a "shooter". Avoid plated guns; anyone who tries to tell you they are presentation models is a liar. Original replacement parts are non-existent. Learn how to take one apart; any seller who refuses to do so for you should be avoided, as it is quick & easy. Every surface of a Luger has a unique polishing method; learn what they look like. Note how flat surfaces are really flat, & how they form sharp corners that are usually lost when refinished.

    Original mags can have an aluminum wood, or plastic base. byf 41 & 42 guns (made by Mauser during those years) should have a black plastic base, & will be stamped fxo. Since the plastic is fragile & often found broken, some folks have been swapping mag bases. Be wary unless it is cheap.

    Neal

    lugere.jpg?t=1230295783
    Lugerfxomagazines.jpg?t=1230295835
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  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886 ✭
    edited November -1
    Below are some photos of a P-08 (Luger). The firearm in the link below was rated at approx. 90% so you can use it for comparison purposes, and check and see if yours has been re-blued (gun in photo has not been re-blued..original finish). Here's the link. Good Luck!

    http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=244915&SearchTerms=S/42
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  • SpartacusSpartacus Member Posts: 14,415
    edited November -1
    thanks for all the help!
    I spent 4 hours looking thru various auction sites , trying to compare one gun to another.
    now I'm even more confused!
    One guy had a really nice, #'s matching gun with 2 mags and holster.
    it was a reserve auction with opening price of $1000.
    I asked him what the reserve was. $3200.!!!
    looks like I need to study up on lugers before jumping in.
    tom
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