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Author Topic: Trying to identify Grandpa's .32  (Read 678 times)

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Offline galster69

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Trying to identify Grandpa's .32
« on: November 25, 2008, 01:40:11 PM »
I hope someone can help me with this one.  I have no pictures or even the actual gun.  All I have are memories of Grandpa shooting it.  It looked somewhat like a Luger P08 but it was in .32 caliber and had Buffalo Nickels inlaid in each grip.  It was stolen a couple years before he died and I'd like to try to identify what it is so I can search for one similar to it.  All help is greatly appreciated.
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Offline rockbilly

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Re: Trying to identify Grandpa's .32
« Reply #1 on: November 25, 2008, 04:10:36 PM »
I have never seen or heard of a Luger in .32 and I have spent"some" time studing them.  Could it have been a 7.65mm?  A lot of those were made in the early 1900s, both military and commercial.  It wasn't uncommon for American military to have custom made grips made for battle field pick ups, most like this is the case here.
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Offline galster69

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Re: Trying to identify Grandpa's .32
« Reply #2 on: November 25, 2008, 04:33:49 PM »
I'm not sure it was a luger and the only war my grandfather was in was Korea and he was an bomber mechanic in the air force.  I'm going to check with my uncle to see if he knows more about it.  I was just hoping someone had heard of a factory luger-like pistol that came stock with buffalo nickels in the grips.  Thanks for the reply.
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Offline Bigeasy

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Re: Trying to identify Grandpa's .32
« Reply #3 on: November 25, 2008, 07:01:29 PM »
OK, here is a guess.  Stoger used to import a Luger copy  made in East Germany by Erma.  I believe .32 acp was one of the calibers offered.  Something sticks in my mind about buffalo nickle grips as well, but I am getting old, and my beard is turning gray, so good chance I am wrong.  I don't think Stoger is in business any longer, not sure about Erma.  Get on one of the sites like Gunbroker and look it up - there is a good chance someone has one for sale.

Larry
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Offline Graybeard

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Re: Trying to identify Grandpa's .32
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2008, 03:53:13 AM »
There have been huge numbers of Luger and Luger look alikes made over the years. Most NOT in .32acp however.

My guess is it was either the Erma-Werke Model KGP68 which was made in .32acp or the Mauser HSc also made in .32acp.

Neither came from the factory with the grips you mention but that was likely added after it left the factory by someone.
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Offline galster69

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Re: Trying to identify Grandpa's .32
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2008, 06:02:24 AM »
Thanks Larry and Graybeard.  I checked gunbroker and auctionarms and neither had anything with the buffalo nickel grips.  I'll check out erma and stoger and see what I can find.  I'm checking with my dad to see if he knows anything about it as well.
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Offline Brett

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Re: Trying to identify Grandpa's .32
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2008, 06:32:51 AM »
How sure are you on the caliber?  As Rockbilly noted many original Luger PO8's were chambered in 7.65 (a.k.a.; .30 Luger).

If it is in fact a .32 the Erma-Werke KGP68 is your most likely contender.   

In addition to the Stoeger clones, Mitchel Arms made a SS PO8 look alike in .22lr back in the 70's I believe.

Also take a look at a Japanese Nambu Type 14.  It's profile is very similar to the Luger's only it does not have the crazy knuckle slide arrangement. It was chambered in a bottle necked 8mm.  The Finish Lahti L35 also has a similar profile, it's another 9mm.

All of these being of foreign manufacture it is highly unlikely that any of them would come from the factory with a Buffalo Nickel inlaid in the stocks.   
   
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Offline galster69

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Re: Trying to identify Grandpa's .32
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2008, 09:17:35 AM »
I've been asking family members and no one remembers any particulars about it, not even the caliber.  Is it possible for me to check to see what if any firearms were registered in my Grandfather's name?  I know some are too old for them to have to be registered but maybe I'll get lucky.  If so, where would I start?
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