Is the C96 forum active?

[Sergio Natali]

Originally Posted by alvin

Today, I met a guy talking Mauser (in real life). Here is the story.

I visited a local gun store today. There were a few guys surrounding a salesman in showroom, chatting on guns. Initially, I did not pay attention. But I heard the sales guy mentioned "Mauser and Luger blah blah", then, I started listening....

He said, "There was a Mauser Red 9, it has been in gun show for a few sessions but it does not sell. The gun is great, but the seller wants four grand!! No, no, we don't do business that way. We sell DPMS in much reasonable price" Surprise, surprise, he knew Red 9 nick name, so, he knew something for sure. Most people don't know. But Red 9's image in his mind is obviously an overpriced pistol (being fair, it's not cheap, but $4k is not totally out of range in today's market, depends).

I thought about saying "four grand... good or bad , depends on gun". But I hold myself and did not say anything. Gun show? Must be local show in Marlboro... why did I go there and take a look at this expensive-to-death pistol??

So I went to the gun show, even paid $12 at the door for admission. I did not see that Red 9 though. Only saw a few reblued Lugers on tables. A Banner Luger, professionally restored, asking $4500. I came out with two boxes of PPU ammo.

Unfortunately too many people only talk talk talk because they have a mouth under the nose...

[alvin]

Originally Posted by luger.parabellum

Unfortunately too many people only talk talk talk because they have a mouth under the nose...

Sorry, you did not get what is hidden in his mind.

It revealed one thing: there are many potential new collectors having interest in this type, so they are talking this. But the cost is too high, they don't want to spend too much or cannot afford on a great one. Low end C96 with smaller price tag should grow some value in near future when demand increases. Of course, not too low, still need to be safely shootable (more than paper weight, otherwise cannot compare with DPMS).

I bet some of them will go mid and higher end C96 too. The Large Ring listed by Joe Salter and FlatSide listed by Simpson are not low end guns, but they were sold at lighting speed. Current market trend is actually not bad.