Shattuck Lugers?

John D. · 05-09-2011, 08:27 PM

I usually don't post about Ralph, but I will in this case. Just once.

About 30 years ago, I abondoned my random collection of lugers to focus on HKs. I called Ralph. You see I wanted to learn, do research, write something to follow up Mr. Gibson's excellent work. And Ralph introduced me it Mr. Gibson, and Ralph opened his records, and Mr. Gibson assisted me with introductions to many who kept records.

Since then, I assisted Tom A. on his journey with Krieghoffs, and many others. It is what collecting is, or what, should be about.

Ralph had some faults, as we all do.

But Ralph Shattuck was many a mentor to some of us still.

I won't take that away from him.

Some folks didn't like him or trust him. And that's OK. But in my book, - he tried to steer so many in the right direction to collect, research and do the work as he did - I can't and will never fault him.

In today's world, in my view, we - we who are reading this are "lazy collectors". We sit on the internet and let Google do our research, or let a "forum" provide us with an answer?

You have to remember, that wasn't the case when Ralph started collecting (and yes, he began as a collector first not a dealer first, some folks are misinformed). Ralph did the best he could with what he thought he knew.

And if folks did the research, and actually tried to learn, Ralph would be more than generous with his time and knowledge.

Just from my end of the telescope.

John D.

Norme · 05-09-2011, 09:31 PM

Hi David, As you may have gathered, the late Mr Shattuck was a somewhat controversial figure. However, that need not concern you. I understand that you are looking for a "shooter" Luger, and since they, by definition are refinished, mismatched, or both, the idea that one could be faked is absurd. I believe Jerry Burney made the same point earlier in this thread. If I were looking for such a gun I would try to find a Vopo Luger. They were assembled from parts, re-barreled and refinished, and are usually superb shooters. They were intended for the East German police and many collectors, myself included, consider them a legitimate variation. They can only go up in value. Regards, Norm

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05-09-2011, 08:27 PM	#1
John D. Administrator & Site Owner LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: A Little NE of Somewhere... Posts: 2,651 Thanks: 478 Thanked 517 Times in 129 Posts	I usually don't post about Ralph, but I will in this case. Just once. About 30 years ago, I abondoned my random collection of lugers to focus on HKs. I called Ralph. You see I wanted to learn, do research, write something to follow up Mr. Gibson's excellent work. And Ralph introduced me it Mr. Gibson, and Ralph opened his records, and Mr. Gibson assisted me with introductions to many who kept records. Since then, I assisted Tom A. on his journey with Krieghoffs, and many others. It is what collecting is, or what, should be about. Ralph had some faults, as we all do. But Ralph Shattuck was many a mentor to some of us still. I won't take that away from him. Some folks didn't like him or trust him. And that's OK. But in my book, - he tried to steer so many in the right direction to collect, research and do the work as he did - I can't and will never fault him. In today's world, in my view, we - we who are reading this are "lazy collectors". We sit on the internet and let Google do our research, or let a "forum" provide us with an answer? You have to remember, that wasn't the case when Ralph started collecting (and yes, he began as a collector first not a dealer first, some folks are misinformed). Ralph did the best he could with what he thought he knew. And if folks did the research, and actually tried to learn, Ralph would be more than generous with his time and knowledge. Just from my end of the telescope. John D.

05-09-2011, 09:31 PM	#2
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi David, As you may have gathered, the late Mr Shattuck was a somewhat controversial figure. However, that need not concern you. I understand that you are looking for a "shooter" Luger, and since they, by definition are refinished, mismatched, or both, the idea that one could be faked is absurd. I believe Jerry Burney made the same point earlier in this thread. If I were looking for such a gun I would try to find a Vopo Luger. They were assembled from parts, re-barreled and refinished, and are usually superb shooters. They were intended for the East German police and many collectors, myself included, consider them a legitimate variation. They can only go up in value. Regards, Norm