Talking to an older Luger collector

[wlyon]

My first luger I sold while in college in 1958 for $40. It was a byf 41 I had bought while in the Navy. I did not purchase any more until the early 70's. At that time there were many lugers available at $200-300. Rarely did one find a matching mag. Now they are all over. Surely no one would boost them? ha. In the 50's gun shops had many luger and other WW2 weapons . They were really not big sellers. I remember a Sporting goods store in Colorado with a wooden barrel full of Jap Nambus for 19.95 ea. However, for me anyway, twenty dollars was a lot of money. Present day collectors with their desire for perfect lugers with 2 matching mags has greatly helped the boosters. Bill

[Eugen]

Major Tom, my opinion is that I wouldn't totally rely on the opinion of any one local individual. However, I would tend to rely on the collective wisdom and expertise of the folks on this forum.

But, then I am still in my rookie year of playing with Lugers, so what do I know.

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by wlyon

...for 19.95 ea. However, for me anyway, twenty dollars was a lot of money.

Ah, yes, I remember looking at some nice ones available at a dealer/range place in the early 70s, and almost soiling myself when told a nice matching pistol cost $300! But with inflation. the dollar was worth about 7 times what it is now, so things are still not far from that...

Back then I also visited a collector named Hockeborn in Auburn, NY who had a basement room full. I left the brief tour with my head swimming from all the different variations he had on display. It would be almost 40 years later that I bought my first, however--a 1917 DWM Artillery with the stock lug ground off. Too bad, because it is in great condition otherwise, and the only Luger I own about which there is no question as to the originality of its finish. Do any of the forum sages remember that collector?

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by wlyon

I remember a Sporting goods store in Colorado with a wooden barrel full of Jap Nambus for 19.95 ea.

Where???, What city??? Do you remember the name of the store???

Even if it was 40 years ago, there must still be some left in the barrel...