WWII Bringback Luger w/ Capture Papers

[Reale1741]

Greetings all,

I picked up this really awesome pistol recently and thought I would share it here. It's a WWII bring back German Luger with capture papers. The veteran was a P-47 fighter pilot during the war. He flew more than 50 combat missions over Europe and shot down a German ME-109 on his first mission. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his service. The Luger itself is a WWI DWM manufactured pistol that was reworked and issued to a police unit in the Weimar era. It's all matching numbers, including the magazine! I love items with a name and history to them, and bring back guns with capture papers really fit the bill!

 

[Robert Richardson]

Nice.

 

[Leadeye]

Really great pickup!

 

[Jaybird1980]

That's a heck of a score. Very nice.

 

[DocIndy]

That’s awesome. I have a TT-33 tokerev with the paperwork my grandfather brought back from Europe. I remember seeing it when I was little and inherited it when he passed. My mom ran across the bringback papers when going through the house after my grandma passed. That one will never go anywhere. He told me once of running across a crate in the road while on patrol. They weren’t sure what to do… blow it up? They weren’t sure if it was a IED. When the got it opened it was a crate of new Lugers with holsters and mags. He kept one and the rest were split up with the rest of the guys. Grandpa traded it off for a winter jacket and wool sock from a new guy when the winter was about to hit. I’d love to have that Luger, but I’ll keep the TT-33.

 

[Reale1741]

Thanks guys! It's one of the crown jewels of my collection.

 

[Reale1741]

That’s awesome. I have a TT-33 tokerev with the paperwork my grandfather brought back from Europe. I remember seeing it when I was little and inherited it when he passed. My mom ran across the bringback papers when going through the house after my grandma passed. That one will never go anywhere. He told me once of running across a crate in the road while on patrol. They weren’t sure what to do… blow it up? They weren’t sure if it was a IED. When the got it opened it was a crate of new Lugers with holsters and mags. He kept one and the rest were split up with the rest of the guys. Grandpa traded it off for a winter jacket and wool sock from a new guy when the winter was about to hit. I’d love to have that Luger, but I’ll keep the TT-33.

A TT-33 is on my list! I'd love to have a papered one, but they're not common at all. That's awesome it's still in your family. It's a shame that he didn't keep the Luger, but winter clothing was definitely more important! This Luger was found in a very similar way. He and some pilot buddies were out exploring and came across a crate of Lugers in an abandoned building. All appeared to be new with holsters. They all took one and left the rest. Thanks for sharing!

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Greetings all,

I picked up this really awesome pistol recently and thought I would share it here. It's a WWII bring back German Luger with capture papers. The veteran was a P-47 fighter pilot during the war. He flew more than 50 combat missions over Europe and shot down a German ME-109 on his first mission. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his service. The Luger itself is a WWI DWM manufactured pistol that was reworked and issued to a police unit in the Weimar era. It's all matching numbers, including the magazine! I love items with a name and history to them, and bring back guns with capture papers really fit the bill!

Cool. Would it be possible to read what the paperwork says?

 

[88E30M50]

That's really cool. Thanks for sharing it with us

 

[Reale1741]

Cool. Would it be possible to read what the paperwork says?

Sure! Here is a picture of the capture paper.

 

[Reale1741]

Here's a letter written by the veteran's wife talking about him and how he acquired the Luger. At the request of the family, I have blurred the names of people who are still living. Unfortunately, the veteran and his wife are both gone. She died 10 years to the day from the date of the letter.

 

[Thor]

How the heck did a P-47 pilot capture a Luger? (edit...never mind...read the second letter)

Neat pistola with provenance.

 

[22LRFan]

Wow that is so cool. Jealous!!!! Hold on to that. It will only increase in value.

 

[rob63]

Thanks guys! It's one of the crown jewels of my collection.

Great gun! All matching, including mag, with capture papers would be a crown jewel in any collection. I've become something of a First World War nut so the 1914 date is a plus to me as well. Thanks for sharing that one.

 

[Bluedragon]

Dang, that is a very nice find. I'm jelly. Congrats.

 

[edwea]

Awesome

 

[Reale1741]

Thanks guys! We took it out for some range time yesterday and it ran flawlessly! It was surprisingly accurate too.

 

[Vietnam1965]

Very nice congrats!! Its your pistol but i wouldn't shoot it much as its all matching and if something breaks there goes some of the value. Definately don't use Plus P ammo in it. She is a beauty!!

 

[Reale1741]

Very nice congrats!! Its your pistol but i wouldn't shoot it much as its all matching and if something breaks there goes some of the value. Definately don't use Plus P ammo in it. She is a beauty!!

Thanks! I reload for and shoot all my weapons, regardless of age. My Lugers get fed nothing but 115gn standard velocity ammo.