1900 test luger Mag.(?)
 

On ebay, auction number 735404890 is another of the flaming bomb wood bottom mags. Could this be....or does someone have a stamping die? [img]confused.gif[/img]

Schwob,

This is one of the two magazines that Don from this Forum is selling because he is not a serious Luger collector. Don in British Columbia, Canada recently purchased a near mint 1900 AE Luger with Ideal grips (no stock, but came with a leather holster and belt) and the set included two spare magazines. I have been in correspondence with Don since he acquired his Luger and he informed me of his decision to sell both magazines. This is NOT a fake magazine and it is genuine in all respects.

I hope this solves your fear or confusion with reference to the last 'flaming bomb' magazine which fetched $297.00 on eBay.

Albert

The stamp appears on the underside of the cannon near the lug on one of my commercials. My interpretation of it is the Greek letters Omicron & Epsilon.

Seems a shame to break up a rig with provenance after being together for 100 years.

This magazine is now at $235 and it still has 7 days to go. Several folks out there know at what they are looking.
What do you think will be the top for this item?

I reckon it fetch $250-$275. I cannot believe that some people will 'go over the top' for a standard commercial magazine with a 'flaming bomb' proof mark!! This proves that some people out there still believe that the 'flaming bomb' was a connected to the US Test Trail Lugers.

More power to them!

Albert

Thought I'd post the auction photos so others can see the item under discussion :

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/1900magazine.jpg

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/1900magazine1.jpg

Regards,

Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Imperial Arms,
I believe that this magazine is attracting attention because it is a perfect & pristine commercial magazine. I do not think that the inspector's mark comes into play with these bidders. Too much has been made of the 'American Test' bit. Tests are guns that have been used up and worn out.

This mag will top $300 by quite a bit. Check back with me on that!

Hello Wes,

The magazine is pristine indeed, however, I shall be 'floored' if it tops $300. Are you trying to tell me that if the same condition magazine was for auction without the 'flaming bomb' proof mark, it could fetch the same price? If that is the case, I must be losing my mark with the prices of some early Luger magazines! Personally, I would not pay more than $150-$200 for a similar magazine without the proof mark. There is a possibility that the proof mark is influencing the price, but I am just as curious as you with respect to the closing price.

I wonder how much an early wood base Swiss magazine with a flat button could fetch?

Cheers,
Albert

[quote] I wonder how much an early wood base Swiss magazine with a flat button could fetch? <hr></blockquote>

In mint condition, around $450-$500. At least that is what I have seen them listed for, and that was some time ago. I wouldn't sell mine for less (actually I wouldn't sell it at all!)

Albert,
What I am saying is this: Yes, a perfect, pristine early 'unmarked' commercial magazine would sell for the same as this mag. They are the same magazine. I do not believe that anyone mistakes the 'flaming bomb'.
If you have a similar magazine in as good condition but without the stamping, I am in the market for such a mag. Please contact me by private message or email wesley@wterrell.com

Hey Wes,

I shall eat my 'flaming' shoe in front of you!! I cannot believe that this magazine fetched $400.00 - unbelieveable!! This result could put a whole new twist on the price of a 1900/02 magazine.

For the past couple of days, it was at $255.00, then it went up to $306.00 and God knows what happened afterwards!

What a performance,
Albert

Recently an unrelieved rear handguard for the M1 Rifle brought $485, and it didn't have the proper milled rear clip. $85 would have been a big price, but I guess we should never be surprised what prices ebay will bring.

The purchaser of this clip was a collector. The price of the early commercial magazine is portent of things to come and a sign of present conditions of the Luger collecting fraternity. (I am not speaking of Ebay.)
The collecting of Lugers has been driven in large part by the generation of the WWII era. The number of members of this generation is dwindling by attrition. Younger collectors are looking at the Luger and considering its entire history, not just the military use. This different interpretation will place emphasis, importance, and value on the earlier models of the Luger, especially pre-1908.
That, gentlemen, is what we are witnessing, not an aberration caused by online auction. Online auction merely facilitates ease of acquisition and an audience.
(And...what the hell is $400, among friends?)

Hey Wes,

Really glad that you are still around !!! Thought I read you did the Still-Garrison exit shuffle... [img]wink.gif[/img]

I am also beginning to suspect that the "dot.com" money might be coming into the luger world.

Regards,

Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Pete,
There are times when I get too full of myself, and I do not compare and contrast situations objectively. Upon more reasoned and mature introspection, any problems that plague me, I have created. [quote]exit shuffle... <hr></blockquote>
Fellers, I can't dance!

Well, I need too do some explaining, or perhaps not. Oh well here goes....I bought the clip, and most likly for not the reasons you may be thinking. I collect Weimar period police only!. So the clip? well it will be great trade stock for some future gun show. Items like this, and condition, are near one of a kind. I hate too type, so will make this short, guys these are the "good old days"...it will just take 10 years or so, and you'll wish you could buy at the prices way back in 2002. My last Colt SAA was dealer $351. out the door, over spent to put on ivorys at $125, about 20 years a go...think I'll get my money back out of it? maybe if I throw in the original Colt walnut grips....ain't I glad I saved them. I believe that if this fits a collection piece of yours, within a year or so you'll wish you would have bought it. How many of you think I'm crazy, but will drop a few hundred at a Las Vegas slot machine for an nights fun gambling?. It's just fun, lets remember the important things like taking care of one another.

Hi to all! You don't need to do any explaining... it is impossible to put a price on that last little bit of condition! Mint condition or 99% items have always been in a catagory all there own... and this is coming from someone who is pretty conservative... I have purchased items that I thought would never appreciate... and in a few years they have doubled, or tripled!! Although this is indicative of things to come for Luger collecting... it is sad that prices have become so tall.... what was once common, is now rare...and so it goe's...till...later...G.T. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

Maybe we are on to something here. This could be the long sought after fountain of youth. Pay too much for something and then make sure we live long enough to get our money back out of it.
Actually, I have never regretted paying a little too much for something, but have regretted not paying a little too much.

Gentlemen,
The second mag is also for sale. What do you think that it will fetch?

<img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" />
I have deleted the last two posts, primarily because I couldn't figure out how to modify them without looking like I was playing favorites and have closed the topic. Its been a long day, went to an auction for old wood, bid, loaded it and I think this was a good topic, but might get out of hand. I'd rather you be mad at me than at other forum members and I sure hate modifying others thoughts, so will just close this.