New to Lugers... Need some guidance
 

Hi all,

I own several new handguns and I am looking into buying my first WWII Luger. I bought a Luger book and I am reading it but I need some help with my first purchase...

I would like to buy something that is very nice original and that I can shoot sometimes. I think I would prefer a complete rig.

I am looking into this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=207061117.
What can you tell me about it?

Anything else I should look at the same price range?

Thank you and Happy Holidays.

Wow!!! $4100?!?! Way out of my interest range...Nice looking, but if I paid that much for it, it would be a safe queen...

OK, pessimistic nitpick time!!! :p The font on the chamber date is quite different from my 1937 S/42...more squared off on the corners...

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/2070610...x532659162.jpg

...and I don't see much or any tool marks anywhere...especially in the frame ear areas...

I don't know enough to yell "fake!" (or "refinished!"), but I would certainly check with the real experts here to get their opinions before shelling out $4100... ;)

Edit: Here's my chamber date for comparison...

1936 are considered to be among the best finished lugers. This one seems to have the million dollar chip. Right under the safety. Looks like it has been reglued????

The chamber date on my 1936 'M" block matches this one.

Good looking piece, but not for that price..... Check around, see some other sites

FN

Hi Theo, Welcome to the forum. I'd stay away from this rig. The small parts have been re-strawed and the "matching magazine" is an armorer's replacement. You might try looking at Simpson Ltd's web site, they have many 1936 S/42s listed. They are not cheap, but their catalog descriptions are very reliable. Regards, Norm

That one makes me nervous too.
No suffix on the mag, MAYBE a bit of rounding on the edges of the rear toggle link and front of the frame suggesting re-finish. I dunno, it looks very nice, MAYBE too nice, but ABSOLUTELY too nice to shoot. It will go from $4k to $1k the second some minor numbered part decides to break.
You should be able to find an honest rig for half that money if you are patient. Then the decision to risk damage by shooting it will again rear its head.
Welcome aboard and keep us posted.
dju

Norm/David - I'm a washout at Searching...Is there a pictorial comparison of chamber date fonts somewhere here (or on Jan's site)???

For $4,000.00 you could get a collectible rig that you don't shoot and a shooter that you can knock around.

Hi Rich, Does this help? Regards, Norm

Norm - I was thinking of a side-by-side comparison of the various year dates...

Do you think the OP's 1936 Luger date font looks like yours???

Hi Rich, I don't have a problem with the chamber date, and as far as I can tell the bluing seems original. As I stated earlier, the straw has been redone and the mag is not original (it should look like my photo). That is enough reason to avoid this gun, in my opinion. Regards, Norm

Welcome to the Forum. You need to have the real experts look at this one. The left grip doesn't look right. That's a lot of money to pay for a shooter, and I noticed that there is very little or no information about this in the description. I think I'd keep walking on this one.

Newluger

Wow!!! So much knowledge in this forum. Thank you!

I am so glad I asked... I guess, I have to keep looking.

Do you know of any reputable shops that have decent prices?

Any good WWII Lugers that I should look at?

Jan Still's books have photos of all the dates, I think.

Are you set on WW2 guns? There was a very nice WW1 gun listed here recently that seems like a steal by comparison.
dju

Hi Rich, You might check out this newly listed rig. Good luck! Norm

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...4114382145abe6

I am more fascinated with WWII but I'll look at a WWI Luger. Is it in the For Sale portion of the forum?


That looks really nice! I hope the seller has no surprises.

Theo,

Regarding your earlier post, "reputable shops that have decent prices" is kind of an oxymoron. You will pay a premium for a Luger purchased from any dealer - some more than others. However, among the dealers I have had personal experience with, I suggest that you look at the offerings at Checkpoint Charlie's. He often has entry-level collector lugers. KFS

I have been communicating with him but I still have to get detailed descriptions, or better pics, from him...

I am particuraly interested in this one: http://www.checkpointcharlies.com/sh...8&categoryid=9.

Even considering that I am starting to learn Lugers, his description is very short...

By the way, you are right about the oxymoron... I can hope, I guess...

"I am more fascinated with WWII but I'll look at a WWI Luger. Is it in the For Sale portion of the forum?"

Take a look at this one. I'd buy it myself but we are about $100 apart.
http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=24985
To me there is a bit more quality of finish on the DWM guns, but that is entirely MHO.
Merry Christmas.
dju

Theo,
A buyer must be very careful when the term "matching magazine" is in the description. Just because the numbers may match it doesn't mean the magazine is original to the gun. Many of the internet sellers will list a re-stamped magazine as matching while they still charge a big premium in the price.

Tom

That looks to be a very nice example. I'm not into holsters or 'rigs', but selling the holster would bring the pistol cost down... :)

Theo,

You're going to pay a little bit of a premium for a 'G' date. For your requirements: WWII, collector and shooter, not outrageous price, I'd suggest a 41 or 42 byf made by Mauser. Lots of them around in good shape for around 2K. A good starting point. errr... Welcome to the addiction ;)

FN

Yet one more addiction, you mean?
I'll also look into 41/42.

Oh...the addiction isn't so bad as long as you can regularly connect with your supplier(s)...

;'}

Welcome to the forums!

It might be wise to start with a shooter grade (something all matching - perhaps refinished or with a <85% original finish) and get some of the reference books as you begin. You'll save much more than the cost of the books by being able to apply the knowledge as you consider and inspect Lugers.

By having a shooter grade in hand you'll:

1. Be able to shoot a luger without anxiety about breaking something and reducing it's value
2. Develop your knowledge first hand by actually having regular access to one.

Hallock and Joop's new book and the latest edition on Axis Firearms from Jan C. Still are very helpful.

Marc

Mark,

You are right... I am now thinking about getting a shooter and something better depending on the amount of $ I have left over. I will look for the books too. I already have one of the Internet books that is mentioned in this forum. I really enjoy researching new topics. I actually enjoy researching more than buying. Well, almost...

Good luck finding these books for a resonable price. I've been looking and can't find an honest price on Axis Firearms. I will have to look into the Hallock and Joop books you speak of.

I mis stated the authors on "The Mauser Parabellum". It's Don Hallock and Joop van de Kant.

You'll find references on this site, but right now I believe that the book is available directly from the authors. Amazon is also listing resellers of the book.

This thread on Jan Still's site has details:

http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=22209

The books are costly because of the expense publishing them and the limited market. They are worth the money. You'll find them somewhat repetitive as they go through all the variations of Lugers, but you'll also have excellent references to work from.

Marc

James..and can't find an honest price on Axis Firearms. Honest..their expensive! They are out of print for some time and they cost a lot to begin with.
Be sure to buy Jan's Central Powers book before it goes out. He is still offering it for a little over a hundred bucks.

Jerry Burney

Hi there,
I researched for months and got a real nice 36 (early 36). The book:
MAUSER PARABELLUM 1930-1946 BOOK really helped as did information here.
Good luck..look at my post for pics of my 36 Mauser.

Hey Doc,
Nothing personal mind you, but that avatar is in my face rude!
pitsword

I just ordered the mauser parabellum form a site for $124 shipped. The last time I saw the axis powers book, it was going for $500. Someone one flabby has all four Jan c still books for $1200. I will start with what I have.