Ron Wood Should Know This One!!
 

Up to now how many books have be published on our favorite topic and if You could name 2 or 3, what would they be? I'll post my picks as soon as I take a look! I'm reinquiring now after I posed this topic years ago and since many fine books have been published even our fallen heroes!Please don't name these five masterpiece as they stand by themselves! They all seem to age well!

Great topic. I have many Luger books, but I find myself consulting these three constantly:

1) Aarron Davis: Standard Catalog of Luger. I understand it's limitations, but this is a great reference guide that has more than once helped me identify an unusual variation. Ashamed it hasn't been maintained and updated.

2) Michael Reese: 1900 Luger U.S. Test Trials: The missing US test trials serial #s (non-Bannerman) are one of the great mysteries of our hobby, and I hope I get to see it solved in my lifetime. I would like to see someone (Ron Wood) write a fresh new book on this subject including the actual Bannerman records and other new information.

3) Noll: The Imperial German Regimental Marking: What a well-done, well-researched book! Not only defines unit markings, but also lists a cornucopia of example unit marked guns.

Clark

One of the all times great. First published in 1955 by Fred Datig and rereleased and amended in hardcover in 1962 with over 300 luger packed pages!

Another favorite, available in hard and soft cover available as always on amazon.com.

A Luger Proof Mark Bible
 

In 1977 both Ralph Shattuck and Tom Costanza published a woderful 400 plus+ hardbound luger masterpiece containing well over 1000 luger proof marks. By far the greatest book on this topic. Its also one of the heavyist books dealing with lugers of every variety. A gift from two fallen Friends....

Is there a site that sells used luger books?

Eric,

Amazon and my favorite www.abebooks.com are always a good place to start. Abebooks is a network where many book antiquarians from all over the world present their inventory. I've found quite a few rare books there.

Great Leads, Tks

Eric
Just to set the record straight, Shattuck was not a coauthor of World of Lugers.This is Sam Costanza's book. Ralph furnished information, along with many other collectors. Ralph also wrote a forword. This is Sam's book . Bill

Good point! Whomever authored it, the book is a wealth of information. Its ashamed that both of them are no longer with us. They both contributed in their own unique way and will not be forgotten anytime soon!

Eric
I agree!! Bill

How about, 'Lugers For Dumbies'

Aarron Davis' little booklet "The Luger Handbook" comes very close to being a "Lugers for Dummies" candidate. His identification dendritic at the beginning of the book is an excellent tool for the beginner to puzzle out the variation of a given Luger. Unfortunately, he relied too much on cut and paste for the remainder of the book, therefore a lot of the writeups on individual models are complete nonsense. So when it gets down to the fine points for identification, the beginner will end up confused or still be left with questions.

I realized I opened a can of worms. Its like deciding which children you like the best, THEY ARE ALL, especially those written by members of our forum family! a job well done and you have earned or 'Luger Purlitzer'

Bill do you still have your first and favorite??

Eric
Book or luger? Bill

Actually both! I's sure you have seen some of each rise and fall. You and a few know more than anyone, know more and have seen more not only in our common interest in lugers but every other common aspect of lives. What advice would you give todays collectors or caveats in an attemp to avoid at least some of our mistakes? I know I've made a few. They are beautiful! and timeless!

Eric
The same as all collectors say "Buy books and then study them". Realize that no reference book is totally correct. Use the luger forums. There is no such thing as a stupid question. Purchase very carefully!! Do not rush purchasing. When you decide what you want, buy the best example you can afford. Realize that you are going to make mistakes. But you can keep them to a minimum. I just wish these forums and many reference books had been available when I started collecting. Use them!!!
Eric To answer your question ,my first book was Fred Datig's book "The Luger Pistol." My first luger a byf 41 which unfortunately I sold while in college. Got a whole $40 for it with a holster. Bill

So True Wait till You hear this one!
 

My former law partner would go to court with at least 5 or 6 law books he randomly borrowed with even more book marks, The opposing attorney armed with only a yellow legal pad and bic pen. They would would alway freek out and lose their point thinking his opposing advesary had volumes of law books supposedly supporting his position.
He would usually freeze or at the very least distact and shock him. Years later I learned that he had just borrowed a random few befrte the hearing, having nothing to do with the case at bar!! He would say that 'intelligence is the ability to convince others that you are intelligent "What ever happened to Perry Mason?

There are many books not mentioned in this post that contain valuable information.

What I have found is that for the collector and researcher, one needs to go back to the beginning and move forward, understanding that the early books were in many cases " best efforts" and filled with errors by today's standards. Yet the old books do contain information that has not been duplicated in modern productions.

It is sometimes beneficial to return to those old books to fill in the holes left by modern productions.

I like " German Small Arms Marking" from authentic sources by Gortz & Bryans 1997, seems like yesterday but not at all.

One of my favorites :)

Vern

Vern, I agree its really not a singular book or writer but a set of books covering and specializing groups of books. That is why I stoped posting individual works. By nameing only a few, its perceived we are excluding others. The best I will do is name a group as each presents itself with its own perspective. Jan saw this monumental tast doing His best to approash a given period of Luger History instead of one particular brand make or model. Brilliant!That is why a book like 'Luger At Random' at least opens ones eyes that there are even more that still needs to be adressed and Jans' book show that other are mearly scratching the surface. Then we and others have bestowed at least a solid start. You Yourself have opened our eyes as to what still needs to be explored and written. I remember looking ur my 1908 Navy Ralph had sold me and be able to look it up on page 118 not only seeing what I had but also learning what I didnt know. Buy the books for they are the only books out there that are often worth alot more years from now. I should have both 50 of Jans' books. Finally, I encourage all the 'Luger Gurus' to record and share your knowlege. We cannot afford to lose it or go silent.

I have 24 different volumes on my bookshelves that specifically deal with Luger pistols and they all offer value as you study this amazingly complex firearm. Fortunately I was able to purchase the majority of these books before the prices went skyward (found a Coatanzo and a Keyon for $3.00 at a garage sale) , but even so they represent a tremendous investment. As many have said before me in this post, you can't underestimate the valus of some solid research before you take the plunge and start buying Lugers.
Lyn

Amazon.com is a great souce for both old and luger books. I picked a new a used 'lugers At Random' last year for half as much as I could find anywhere else! Also is available 'Tales Of The Gun' Luger episode featuring Ralph and other luger elders (no offence)

I was looking for a navy luger book in all the wrong places. My 1908 navy and all the pieces were there all along in Jans' Imperial Lugers! His books are a Bible. a both old and new luger testaments' Its been there all along. Truly magnificent. Go back to the basics> Its not how many!! Its really how few!!