*RARE 1917 DWM NAVY LUGER FROM THE GERMAN SUBMARINE U-85.

*RARE 1917 DWM NAVY LUGER FROM THE GERMAN SUBMARINE U-85. SN 2388. Cal 9mm. Standard Navy Luger with 6″ tapered round bbl, small dovetail front sight and 100/200 meter rear sight. Chamber area of the receiver is dated 1917 and left side has two crown “M” proofs. Bottom of the bbl is matching numbered and also with a crown “M” proof. Extractor is marked “Geladen” and the safety is marked “Gesichert”. Left side of the front sight base and front left rail of the frame are also dated 1917. It is mounted with orig, full checkered walnut grips and accompanied by an orig stainless body magazine with Naval wooden bore plug also marked with crown “M” on the bottom. According to consignor he recovered this pistol during a salvage dive on the World War II German submarine U-85 just off the coast of North Carolina out from the Bodie Island Lighthouse. She was sunk April 13 ,1942 by the destroyer USS Roper in about 100 feet of water. The Navy immediately sent down hard hat divers hoping to recover the submarine’s Enigma machine but were unable to do so, however did recover several other items. The U-85 site was abandoned until the 1960’s when it was rediscovered by a fisherman and has now been designated on the National Register of Historic Places. Consignor states that he dove on the site several times before this designation was applied and recovered this Luger in July of 1984 along with several other smaller items. He stated that it was wrapped in oiled cloth and is in the current state of presentation with only some minor rust pitting. Navy Lugers are occasionally encountered but are almost never accompanied by provenance to a German ship or submarine. The U-85 was one of only 24 type VII-B U boats ever built and the only known example in U.S. waters. The U-85 is historically important because it was the first enemy submarine sunk by a U.S. Navy warship in the second World War. U-85 was launched in April 1940 and was in active service from then until she was sunk, under the command of Oberleutnent Eberhard Greger. U-85’s first war patrol began in Aug. 1941 with not a lot of activity and very little success until she was sunk with all hands. A complete synopsis of U-85’s history is included. PROVENANCE: German Navy. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Overall retains about 95% plus strong orig blue with faded straw colors. There are a few scattered pin pricks of pitting on the exterior surface with fine pitting on the firing pin all consistent with salt water immersion. Grips show light diamond point wear. Mechanics are fine. Bright, shiny bore with scattered fine pitting. 4-47527 JR188 (3,500-5,500)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3094A	$4,025.00	RARE 1917 DWM NAVY LUGER FROM THE GERMAN SUBMARINE U-85. SN 2388. Cal 9mm. Standard Navy Luger with 6″ tapered round bbl, small dovetail front sight and 100/200 meter rear sight. Chamber area of the receiver is dated 1917 and left side has two crown “M” proofs. Bottom of the bbl is matching numbered and also with a crown “M” proof. Extractor is marked “Geladen” and the safety is marked “Gesichert”. Left side of the front sight base and front left rail of the frame are also dated 1917. It is mounted with orig, full checkered walnut grips and accompanied by an orig stainless body magazine with Naval wooden bore plug also marked with crown “M” on the bottom. According to consignor he recovered this pistol during a salvage dive on the World War II German submarine U-85 just off the coast of North Carolina out from the Bodie Island Lighthouse. She was sunk April 13 ,1942 by the destroyer USS Roper in about 100 feet of water. The Navy immediately sent down hard hat divers hoping to recover the submarine’s Enigma machine but were unable to do so, however did recover several other items. The U-85 site was abandoned until the 1960’s when it was rediscovered by a fisherman and has now been designated on the National Register of Historic Places. Consignor states that he dove on the site several times before this designation was applied and recovered this Luger in July of 1984 along with several other smaller items. He stated that it was wrapped in oiled cloth and is in the current state of presentation with only some minor rust pitting. Navy Lugers are occasionally encountered but are almost never accompanied by provenance to a German ship or submarine. The U-85 was one of only 24 type VII-B U boats ever built and the only known example in U.S. waters. The U-85 is historically important because it was the first enemy submarine sunk by a U.S. Navy warship in the second World War. U-85 was launched in April 1940 and was in active service from then until she was sunk, under the command of Oberleutnent Eberhard Greger. U-85’s first war patrol began in Aug. 1941 with not a lot of activity and very little success until she was sunk with all hands. A complete synopsis of U-85’s history is included. PROVENANCE: German Navy. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Overall retains about 95% plus strong orig blue with faded straw colors. There are a few scattered pin pricks of pitting on the exterior surface with fine pitting on the firing pin all consistent with salt water immersion. Grips show light diamond point wear. Mechanics are fine. Bright, shiny bore with scattered fine pitting. 4-47527 JR188 (3,500-5,500) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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