Future of collecting Luger's
 

What are some of the opinions of forum members regarding the future of collecting Luger's? Many who collect Luger's are of a more mature age to politely put it. Currently, we are seeing many relatively scarce and top dollar examples hitting the market. It doesn't seem that many younger people are entering the hobby of collecting Luger's. What are some collective thoughts regarding how collector grade examples will potentially hold a premium value going forward into the future five to ten years from the present day?

Was also thinking about the same topic. I am 34 y.o. and just entering this hobby so I can confirm that not all "Millenials" are *** :) But those who are 10 years younger definitely less interested in collectibles, guns, cars and etc..

My $.02 worth is this;

Buying Lugers (or any highly regarded commodity) is a store of value that won't diminish when the winds of change blow from a different direction. Having $100K cash in the gun safe when cash is outlawed and the RFID chip Gates put in your wrist is what is now required to even buy groceries, will make 50 Lugers in said safe a MUCH better idea.

But then, ... when ALL semi-auto firearms (remember "Assault Weapons" and AR 14s ;)) are retroactively banned and confiscated under penalty of prison if caught, not a good idea at all. Buyback program, ... That $2500 Luger will get you a $50 gift card at WalMart IF you're lucky.

Same with collector cars. Once the Green New Deal is implemented, your $$$ million gas guzzler will likely need federal inspection to make sure the pistons are removed in order to save it from the crusher. I doubt Jay Leno will get a special waiver unless he sends BIG $$$ to you know who.

You know what to do, ... make sure you do it in 50 days !

I have heard this the last 40 years - no newer folks coming into the hobby.

The truth is that many folks don't have the desire, time or money to get full bore into the hobby until they reach 40-50 yrs of age. So, most collectors are older.

I have seen an amazing amount of collections of dead or getting old collectors come up for sale the last 3-5 yrs, but again, this is likely not that uncommon.

I have seen an amazing amount of collections of dead or getting old collectors come up for sale the last 3-5 yrs and it doesn't seem to affect the market up or down?

We all know things change with time. If someone could have told me, in say 1974, what the situation would be in 2020 I would have said when things get that bad I'll stop collecting. It did, but I didn't. I guess because change comes gradually, like for the frog in the pot of water heating on the stove.

For new collectors, today, even though the pot is now boiling, it's all they know. To them these are the "good ol' days," People collected "antiques" in the eighteenth century, for example, to them those were the "good ol' days". Their stuff is still around and still being collected. So, will Luger collecting continue in the foreseeable future? I think it will.

The guns might not have the same personal connection to their keepers as they do now for us, but as "calibrator" says, they might be looked at more as a commodity. I'm not so sure I don't see mine more that way now. I still have my deep satisfaction in ownership as I ever had, but I don't have a "shooter" as I have no interest or desire to shoot one, and there are certainly no gun shows at which to display them like there once was. Today I'm pretty much relegated to that of a "Closet Collector". The days of the many large and small gun shows predicated on collections displayed and competing for prizes are over.

I know, today, there are many Closet Collectors with large expensive collections. I see that style of collecting becoming more the thing of the future. There are enough super references available today from which exceptional knowledge can be gained while never leaving one's home. In the past most had only Datig, Jones, and Kenyon mainly for references, and knowledge passed by word of mouth from other collectors at gatherings like gun clubs and gun shows. I say that as if Luger collecting began with Datig. My reference is to us. For those, say in the 1930s, Luger knowledge would be even harder to come by.

I guess, to me, the bottom line is, in the not too distant future I will "assume room temperature" ( Rush Limbaugh?) and won't even know how long I lived. But for right now it is my responsibility to preserve those Luger pistols in my care for the next caretaker. Then it will be his responsibility, as I will have no more concern for whatever happens.

But, yes, I think Luger collecting will be around in one form or another for a long, long time.

Jack

All I can say is that from my own observation, someone is collecting Lugers as the prices aren't coming down and some are bringing astronomical prices.

For me, I think it was about being more mature and really appreciating Guns. I'm in my 40s. I went through the whole phase where I had to have eight A.R. 15's, seven Glocks, three Benelli shotgun's with EXPENSIVE red dots etc.

As I got older I honed in on what I REALLY needed for protection SHTF etc.. So I sold some of those guns. I've always been into the Civil War and World War I/II history. I just had never really read much about Lugers. Once I did, I realized how beautifully machined they were. Something I didn't really appreciate till later in life. I don't think I would've cared in my 20s. But now I'm just collecting them, and love it. I had to sell a few NEW guns, but it's been totally worth it.

I forgot to add… My dad's brother pulled out a Lugar and showed it to me when I was really young. We were in South America. I guess that was his gun he kept in Colombia when wasn't in the states. I remember seeing it when I was about 13. Being fascinated by it. Just always something I remembered. No idea what it was or if he still has it. I don't really see him that much. I'll have to remember to ask him.

I suppose I truly am the outlier here, I am 24 and got ahold of my first Luger when I was only freshly 22 in January 2018. I will be the first to admit that I was fascinated by them from a young age. All of the early 2000's rage about Call of Duty caught me up completely, and regardless of how inconvenient it made my game load out I always had to end the missions with a Luger in there if I could. I had grandparents and great-grandparents serve in both theaters, but none had any major war trophies.

One of my coaches had a Luger and showed it to me when I was 12 and visiting his house with my father. From that day forward, I vowed to get one for myself. Fast forward about 10 years and I got my first one. Fast forward to now and I have 4. I know a few other younger guys who have them, but most inherited them and are focused on rifles and other cheaper collecting objects while they are young and not so financially secure. Just my 2 cents and personal story.

This thread http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...flation&page=2

began from a financial perspective but also discussed future appeal of the Parabellum.

Since participating in that thread a few years ago, I'm overall still of the opinion that Lugers tend to appreciate at or slightly above the rate of inflation. Demand probably dips and inflates with ebbs and flows in the economy, climate for firearm regulation and so forth but overall is pretty stable.

Phrased differently interest in the pistols will continue for the foreseeable future. The supply of original pistols remaining is finite and always decreasing due to wear and oxidation. The history, aesthetics, uniqueness of the action and other factors are IMO too compelling for these to ever fade into so-what status.

Like someone said, they ain't making any more of them. To add a depressing note to this thread, my previous home in Southern Oregon has had devastating fires. Almost 2400 houses have been lost. How many homes held a old vets Luger? We don't want to know.

G2

Firearm collecting seems to have been growing and expanding.

There have always been people that see firearms beyond their basic utility, and appreciate the history, technology and art of the gun.

The Luger is the pinnacle of this. That is why so many people want them. They are unique, reflect an important period of history, were the leading edge of technology and have an aesthetic that many appreciate.

While undeserved, the Luger has often been associated with evil and a certain edge...

There have been a limited number of Lugers since the last was made. For some, that is the Imperial era. For others that is the WW-II era. For others that includes the Swiss through 1948 and even the commercial Mauser production through the 1990's. In all cases, the Luger was unique and appreciated.

Manufacturing a new one would probably cost in excess of $5,000 today. That makes new production unlikely except for the rare shop like Krieghoff and their offering. Even Mauser from 1970 till the end found the marketplace for new Lugers challenging.

So... they are a rare thing, unique and known to people of all ages thanks to media depictions of the firearm, including video games.

Don't discount the potent impact of video games on the hobby of collecting and studying real Lugers. Also, never forget to give young people a chance to fire a real Luger at the range. I've introduced dozens of people to the Luger thanks to my matching "shooter" 1937 Mauser Luger with the finish rash on the right receiver flat.

Some remarkable simulations and 3d models of the Luger have been developed for use in gaming and animation. They will ensure that the Luger appears prominently in future gaming and entertainment media.

Finally, there is the deep level of study necessary to acquire and own the Luger pistol. I know of no other firearm with as many variations and wide range of marking.

The future is bright.

@HerrKaiser,

I found your post quite interesting and refreshing to read. I don't hear of many people around your age that is beginning to establish a collection of historical firearms and or memorabilia. I'm forty seven and have been collecting historical firearms and military memorabilia for many years. My dad used to have a military antique business specializing in WW I and WW II artifacts. Obtained my first gun when I was roughly twelve. A bring back K98 Mauser. It's interesting how you have alluded to video games in your post. Approximately a few weeks ago, I read an article that delved into the topic of keeping the history alive regarding WW II with younger generation. The article highlighted that video games associated with the era are helping to engage millennial and later generation in the historical time period. I wish you all the best with your collecting endeavors.

They are my only possessions that survived 3 wives and a stroke!!

Well, I just gotta ask: Which was worse the wives or the stroke?

Nice collection!
Curl

the second.. i HAD A STROKE IN COSTA RICA AND 4 MONTH COMA AND BRENDA WANTED ME TAKEN OFF LIFE SUPPORT TO COLLECT MY LIFE INSURANCE!!

Rick,

I must say that after the first two, I was planning to wait awhile for more of them. But then two more that I really wanted to have eventually fell into my lap at good prices, and I just couldn't turn it down. It certainly dented my finances, but I would make the same decisions all over again in a heartbeat.

I bought this to Debby for saving my life in Costa Rica!1920 7.65 MY FIRST LUGER!

We've probably discussed this before, unfortuntely most of the gun collectors here in Italy tend to be old-timers sort of people, and of course I would include myself with them.
Practically all the people I see into the vintage firearms world are in their late 50's, 60's and beyond. Probably we tend to appreciate more all the craftsmanship that went into their production.
I don't see many young people interested in collectible firearms, instead they seem to prefer black rifles and "tupperware" pistols under 600 Euro.

The disease affected it in many ways~

Hi everyone,

Just joined the forum and read this post - hello from Texas! I'm in my mid-twenties and only recently developed a deep appreciation of WW2 milsurp and relics after visiting multiple museums over a few years.

I have acquired a decent collection with my millennial budget, however the prices for all milsurps have gone up astronomically over the past few years. I regret being late to the game, but collecting was simply not feasible while I was in Uni.

Decided it was time to look for my first WW2 handgun and the Luger was the obvious choice. I know the wartime Lugers will be a little more expensive but I am prepared to shell it out. Looking forward to learning more about these beautiful handguns.

I am thinking about utilizing the trader boards here since I don't feel comfortable enough with my P08 knowledge to be going on Gunbroker.

Welcome to the forum. Good plan on using the forum for purchases. If you get tempted on Gunbroker be sure to post it here BEFORE you buy. The experts here will check out the photos as best they can. If it has poor photos it is probably on purpose.

Thank you! Am I allowed to post GB auctions for review? or only the pictures, etc. I've been trying to go through completed auctions and determining if there is anything off.

Of course you can post links to auctions - at the risk that you may attract another bidder if the gun turns out to be legit. But many collectors are not looking at acquiring more guns at this time, so it's usually more helpful than not in identifying guns that don't measure up to the description.

I had the same thought.

I'd rather have the piece of mind of what I am bidding on being legit even if I do go into a bidding war, than not have any input from the experts on this forum.

Hopefully the folks here with advanced collections will let a guy get his 1st Luger without much competition :)

Classic guns will always be prized... and the Luger is one. As for not making any more, well they are still being made if you read other sections on this blog, and dug battlefield relics and parts are STILL being assembled into working pistols. In fact they have ended and then picked up for production again SEVERAL times in the past. And just like black powder cap and ball pistols, this is likely to continue in the future. Although "anything after 1918 is a copy..." and 'originals' will always be valued.

Right On!!

I'm old also and have appreciated guns all my life. I never differentiated between types of guns (pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, etc.) until I was in my 30s. Now I only appreciate what I call 'real' guns, those made of steel and wood instead of pot metal and plastic.
The esthetic lines of a well-designed gun are like the figure of a beautiful woman to me. A Luger is a Rita Hayworth while a Glock is a mature Shelley Winters.

The plummeting buying value of currencies makes collecting rare things profitable like 'real' guns and gold coins. I sure hope I'm right because, otherwise, my children will inherit boat anchors instead of Colts and Lugers.

I am much like you - i was not 'serious' about specifics until after I 'retired' from the army - had a luger and 1911 but did not know much about them, which is a shame. Then I joined this forum and became a 'collector' instead of an accumulator of guns. I still buy stuff every now and then but try to research before I do.

Perhaps we tend to collect (or accumulate) things that used to fascinate us when we were young, I remember for instance that when I was a kid I had a grey bakelite squirt pistol in the shape of a Luger, it was my favourite toy gun, too bad that I broke it one Sunday afternoon while playing with my cousin... :crying:

Memories of many years ago aside, I truly believe that is the reason why so many of us "baby boomers" are interested in old firearms, but I'm afraid these interests will fade away over the next generations. . .

they'll probably collect old smartphones! :(

I believe the collecting future of Lugers is quite bright based on the interest and enthusiasm from others when I take my modest shooter collection to the range. Shooters of all ages recognize the pistols and often comment and ask questions. IMO more shooters do not own Lugers because of the perceived cost, relative rarity compared to other types of firearms and an awareness that knowledge is advisable to purchase, evaluate, maintain etc.

IMO for the foreseeable future the Parabellum will remain a popular and iconic bridge to the past and do just fine in terms of holding and moderately increasing in value going forward.

There are a finite amount of legit historic lugers. The rarer the more covetted! Many seem to be disapppearing as their owners pass on!

My 2 cents on the future
 

I think you are right there are a finite amount of serious historic pistols in the world and also a finite amount of people who know the difference and have the resources to collect them, that number is dwindling also. The amount of time and effort to get up to speed on any type of advanced education on Lugers is measured in years and requires a considerable effort in time and money.
I don't think the interest will go away per say but it may very well go to even less collecting to even more speculating in the coming years. That opens up more room for trolls and bottom feeders into the mix, what a shame.
As the education level drops so will the investment value to a certain extent. I've never bought a luger with the thought of making money there are other ways to do that, as opposed to relying on a volatile collector market. Don't get me wrong there are people who maintain collections of anything who buy sell and trade to continually upgrade the collection over time, that in itself is an artform that requires much discipline.
Buy what you like, like what you buy, don't buy because someone else says you need it for your collecting direction, what makes you happy will probably just make the family around you Wonder
when you finally go away for good.
My 2 cents.

I believe that the future of Luger collecting and all firearm collecting depends to a certain extent on what happens on the 3rd of November.

Yes, Trump has been good for the gun market.............

I did my part yesterday to protect our passion.

We did our part!