Gortz and Sturgess book

Major Tom · 04-28-2017, 10:57 AM

Is $225 for a like new, 3 volume set in slip cover a good buy?
I know this is a great book set. I don'y know if it's the 'green' or 'red' version.
Thanks

gunnertwo · 04-28-2017, 11:15 AM

I paid around $300 for the first edition, close to that for the second. I'd say yes. They aren't making more...

G2

mrerick · 04-28-2017, 11:39 AM

My preference is for the "Red" edition. It's the book that Sturgess wanted in the first place.

Simpson Ltd. published it at $300, and should have copies available new with the PDF copy and DVD.

In my opinion, it's worth every penny if you're interested in the history of the Luger.

Edward Tinker · 04-28-2017, 11:43 AM

FIND OUT IF green or red version - I had both and Red is much better.

DonVoigt · 04-28-2017, 02:29 PM

You won't likely find one as cheap or cheaper- anywhere.
Green or red- really doesn't matter; except when someone references a page and does not say "green" or "red".

Both have an index.

Either will give you "tons" of info and hours of entertainment.

spacecoast · 04-28-2017, 02:56 PM

I have the green set on paper and the red set on DVD (a large PDF which is also copied to several computers). I use both as sometimes it's easier to just pull out the book and go to a bookmarked page, but the DVD is nice for searching for terms or for taking a screen shot to post some info. My understanding is that the green set has better pictures and I believe it's also less expensive (something like what you are quoting).

Also, the red set is a year or two newer and does have some info and deductions/conclusions not included in the green set.

Sky Zero · 04-28-2017, 04:40 PM

is this book THE book for luger history?

Mac Cat · 04-28-2017, 05:13 PM

It's one of the best.

The RED book set includes the DVD.

The two have nearly identical content, otherwise, just in a different presentation order.

I have both sets and I paid $300 for each set.

The usually on Amazon.com, but I found my set at Collector's Firearms in Houston.

They are on on the web site, but they have a pretty large library.

Both book sets come in aa cardboard book stand. It weighs about 20 lbs.

spacecoast · 05-04-2017, 08:46 AM

The green set is on Amazon for $225 + $4 shipping

Edward Tinker · 05-04-2017, 01:07 PM

In my opinion, the red set was the one and style that Sturgess wanted - read the disclaimer in the green set.

From what i understand and read in the Canadian produced book, the editor threw in lots of little comments to make it more readable, but I found it distracting. Also, the order of things seemed to jump around.

I like Sturgess and Gortz (remember this was originally an expanded PO8 book of Gortz IMHO) but there are issues I find wrong. Every book has errors or the way that person believes. These might sound like slams, but its the book I grab (via DVD) many times or if police, ours or Don's for markings, Mauser Parabellum for Mausers, and then Jan's books are good for filling in almost everything else.

a few comments on the red/green books
1. As usual Sturgess uses almost all his own guns he owned at the time - which I understand but can sway you a bit in conclusions.
2. He has some slightly inaccurate info on Simson's, but that is because he must not have looked at the book -

3. He really likes to focus on early prototypes, which is good, but I feel he puts in far too much time and chapters in it instead of further work on just basic PO8, LPO8, etc. Great for early info, but you have to dig for more basic information - but that is just my feeling.

Ed

Vlim · 05-04-2017, 03:00 PM

The red set has a few errors ironed out. It is a bit better on Swiss lugers. I wonder why?

04-28-2017, 10:57 AM	#1
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 484 Thanks: 533 Thanked 228 Times in 125 Posts	Gortz and Sturgess book Is $225 for a like new, 3 volume set in slip cover a good buy? I know this is a great book set. I don'y know if it's the 'green' or 'red' version. Thanks __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

04-28-2017, 11:39 AM	#3
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,919 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	My preference is for the "Red" edition. It's the book that Sturgess wanted in the first place. Simpson Ltd. published it at $300, and should have copies available new with the PDF copy and DVD. In my opinion, it's worth every penny if you're interested in the history of the Luger. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

04-28-2017, 02:29 PM	#5
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,354 Times in 2,041 Posts	You won't likely find one as cheap or cheaper- anywhere. Green or red- really doesn't matter; except when someone references a page and does not say "green" or "red". Both have an index. Either will give you "tons" of info and hours of entertainment. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

04-28-2017, 02:56 PM	#6
spacecoast User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL and PA Posts: 332 Thanks: 276 Thanked 243 Times in 109 Posts	I have the green set on paper and the red set on DVD (a large PDF which is also copied to several computers). I use both as sometimes it's easier to just pull out the book and go to a bookmarked page, but the DVD is nice for searching for terms or for taking a screen shot to post some info. My understanding is that the green set has better pictures and I believe it's also less expensive (something like what you are quoting). Also, the red set is a year or two newer and does have some info and deductions/conclusions not included in the green set. __________________ My avatars are the Bulgarian word for "Fire", as seen on my 1900, 1906 and 1908 Bulgarian Contract DWM Lugers. Looking for a DWM Commercial side plate #95

05-04-2017, 08:46 AM	#9
spacecoast User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL and PA Posts: 332 Thanks: 276 Thanked 243 Times in 109 Posts	The green set is on Amazon for $225 + $4 shipping __________________ My avatars are the Bulgarian word for "Fire", as seen on my 1900, 1906 and 1908 Bulgarian Contract DWM Lugers. Looking for a DWM Commercial side plate #95

04-28-2017, 11:15 AM	#2
gunnertwo User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 626 Thanks: 839 Thanked 941 Times in 367 Posts	I paid around $300 for the first edition, close to that for the second. I'd say yes. They aren't making more... G2

04-28-2017, 11:43 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	FIND OUT IF green or red version - I had both and Red is much better.

04-28-2017, 04:40 PM	#7
Sky Zero User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 308 Thanks: 134 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	is this book *THE* book for luger history?

04-28-2017, 05:13 PM	#8
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 749 Thanks: 2,154 Thanked 629 Times in 339 Posts	It's one of the best. The RED book set includes the DVD. The two have nearly identical content, otherwise, just in a different presentation order. I have both sets and I paid $300 for each set. The usually on Amazon.com, but I found my set at Collector's Firearms in Houston. They are on on the web site, but they have a pretty large library. Both book sets come in aa cardboard book stand. It weighs about 20 lbs.

05-04-2017, 01:07 PM	#10
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	In my opinion, the red set was the one and style that Sturgess wanted - read the disclaimer in the green set. From what i understand and read in the Canadian produced book, the editor threw in lots of little comments to make it more readable, but I found it distracting. Also, the order of things seemed to jump around. I like Sturgess and Gortz (remember this was originally an expanded PO8 book of Gortz IMHO) but there are issues I find wrong. Every book has errors or the way that person believes. These might sound like slams, but its the book I grab (via DVD) many times or if police, ours or Don's for markings, Mauser Parabellum for Mausers, and then Jan's books are good for filling in almost everything else. a few comments on the red/green books 1. As usual Sturgess uses almost all his own guns he owned at the time - which I understand but can sway you a bit in conclusions. 2. He has some slightly inaccurate info on Simson's, but that is because he must not have looked at the book - 3. He really likes to focus on early prototypes, which is good, but I feel he puts in far too much time and chapters in it instead of further work on just basic PO8, LPO8, etc. Great for early info, but you have to dig for more basic information - but that is just my feeling. Ed

05-04-2017, 03:00 PM	#11
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	The red set has a few errors ironed out. It is a bit better on Swiss lugers. I wonder why?