Pair of German Luger P08 Pistols, one with blued finish and wood grips, the other with bright metal finish and custom "Mother-of-Pearl" style grips with swastika emblem

The image displays two German Luger pistols, likely P08 models, showcasing distinct finishes and handle treatments. The Luger on the right features a dark, possibly blued, metal finish with classic dark wooden checkered grip panels. The wood shows some wear, indicating age and use, with the grain visible and a warm patinized appearance. The metal surface appears somewhat worn, with areas of lost bluing, particularly on edges and raised surfaces, consistent with handling and holster wear over many decades. The overall form is characteristic of the P08 Luger, known for its toggle-lock action. The second Luger on the left is far more customized or modified, presenting with a bright, reflective, possibly nickel-plated or chrome-plated finish across its entire metal surface. This finish gives it a very striking and perhaps non-standard appearance compared to typical military-issue Lugers. Most notably, this pistol features white, possibly mother-of-pearl or imitation ivory, grip panels. One of these grip panels prominently displays a black swastika emblem, which is a significant and sensitive historical marking often associated with Nazi Germany. The bright finish and customized grips suggest this might be a presentation piece, a private purchase, or a post-war modification. Both firearms appear to be of similar scale, consistent with standard Luger pistols. Visible condition issues include the wear on the bluing of the darker pistol and general surface wear on both, as expected for antique or vintage firearms. No specific maker's marks or serial numbers are clearly visible, but the iconic design unmistakably identifies them as Luger pistols, likely from the early to mid-20th century.

Upon examining the images provided, I have appraised a pair of German Luger P08 pistols. The first pistol appears to be a standard-issue model, likely from the World War I or World War II era, featuring a blued finish and original checkered wood grips. The condition shows moderate to significant holster wear and loss of bluing, which is typical for a service weapon of its age. Without visible serial numbers or manufacturer codes, its specific history is indeterminate, but it represents a classic, collectible military firearm. The second pistol is a highly customized piece with a bright, possibly nickel-plated finish and synthetic 'mother-of-pearl' style grips, one of which bears a swastika emblem. This finish is not original military issue and likely a post-war modification or a non-standard presentation piece. The presence of the swastika is a significant factor, attracting a specific subset of collectors focused on Third Reich militaria. The market for standard Lugers is consistently strong, with values for examples in this condition typically ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. The customized nature of the second pistol makes its value more subjective; while the modifications detract from its historical originality, the striking appearance and Nazi-era emblem could command a similar or slightly higher price ($2,000-$2,500) to the right collector. The pairing itself is unusual and adds to the overall interest. My appraisal for the pair is estimated at $3,500 - $5,000. It is crucial to note that this appraisal is based solely on images. A full authentication would require in-person inspection to verify matching serial numbers, bore condition, firing mechanism functionality, and to confirm if the swastika is period-applied or a later addition. Disassembly to check internal markings would be essential for a definitive valuation.