Ralph Shattuck
 

I bought a pistol from Ralph a few years back- and was at his web site a few days back w/no 'list' available... is he still doing well? Any ideas where to look for G date? Looking to add it to my modest collection (that consists of a lone K date)

Semper Fidelis.

I just checked the site, I had no problem getting in. I spoke to Ralph a few months ago and would say he is doing fine.
Craig

The 3 G-dates on WOL's List # 243 are marked as sold.

The Folks at FGS (Doug Smith) have a couple for sale :

http://www.fgsinc.8m.com/photo.html

I have never been to Ralph's World of Lugers website because the concept of paying a person to see what he has for sale has sort of baffled me into a stupor. As soon as I am able to grasp onto the logic of this arrangement, I will slap down my cash and browse his wares.

Wes, I too share your sentiments in this particular respect. For that same reason I have never been able to see what Herr Shattuck has for sale.
I believe this practice among some elderly dealers originated in years past with the offering of "lists" if you,(the customer) would cover the price of postage and printing. This was common before the advent of the internet. It seems it has carried over among those people who find a profit in it.
I have a Friend who was giving away printed sheets at gun shows, some information or other, I forget exactly what and no one would take one. He then priced them for a quarter and sold enough to cover his table rent. Human nature is a strange animal. Jerry Burney

All,

Saw Ralph at the Chantilly show today. He is moving a little slower but still moving. Nancy was there with him.

Tom A.

Although once you pay, you are on the list and it is fun to browse around....

Ed

I enjoy being oblivious/unconscious of those who laugh up their sleeve at me. It would cause me many sleepless nights to know for certain that an identifiable individual has that privilege.

Thatâ??s too much like work, to worry about the little things :D But that is why I'll never be a millionaire, I like a bit of fun without worrying about the small things like money for those kind of things...

Wes, Jerry, email me offline,geo

I have to agree with Wes & lugerholsterrepair. I aint paying anyone for a list of stuff THEY have for sale. Too bad because I think I would enjoy looking at his stuff too & he'd probably have more customers if he'd just post what he's got. Maybe it's just me.

Pete, who is "FGS"? I like a couple of their P.38's they have.

It is Doug Smith

http://www.fgsinc.8m.com/

Very reliable & honest.

I agree with the assessment that the price to see what is available dates back to the lists like Ralph and Randy Bessler...

In Ralph's case, I think that he made the decision that it would carry over in order to make the website self financing...

I saw several forum members at the Chantilly show, most for the first time. Ralph and Nancy Shattuck among them. Tom A. is correct that Ralph is moving very slowly these days...

Minigun, you missed your chance to hand pick your P-38's at this show. Doug Smith brought a whole case of them with him... Some were VERY nice...

Yep, that's me, "a dollar short and an hour late". Couldn't have made it anyway up there. Too far to drive. I have emailed him though on some P.38's. Thanks

I'm sorry to say that I paid to view Ralph's wares. Nothing to see. Very few photos that I could find. Just print and prices. I would like a refund.
Ron

I think Randy Bessler's system is probably the most fair.

He still offers a paper list/subscription for folks that want to receive it in the Mail...do not forget...not all gun nuts have PC's and surf the Internet...for those collectors, Randy's list is probably worth the small cost for printing, handling, shipping.

Randy makes the same List available on the Web with good photos...for free for the rest of the world. But Randy seems to hold off updating his web site inventory for a week or so until the folks receiving and paying for the paper List to have first crack at the inventory...

Nice and fair for both worlds...IMO...

Regards,

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

To reinforce Pete's theory... the gentleman I met at the Chantilly show last Saturday who owned about 30 Lugers and had them on display told me he only accessed the Internet at a public place a couple of times a month, and then only in regards to activities for seniors... I am sure he was a subscriber to Randy Bessler's list...

John How do you fine Randy Bessler's list? thinks.

http://www.collectorfirearms.us/

Regards, Leon

I have bought a few collectible pistols from Randy in the last several years and have been very satisfied with his descriptions and service. He even sends me the printed list for free because I have bought several pistols from him. I recommend him without hesitation. What has sort of impacted my doing business with Randy is the Nevada sales tax because I reside in Nevada where Randy does business. On high price items that can hurt. I will say on occassion Randy has even absorbed some of that extra sales tax burden! He is basically just a very good guy and I would say a credit to the business!

As for Ralph Shattuck, I agree with Wes, Jerry, and minigun--I will NO WAY pay somebody for the opportunity to spend money with them! Show me what you got and if I buy it you make your profit--this formula works for most. That being said, I have purchased several pistols from him (the last a very nice 1915 DWM P.08 Artillery for a great price) at gun shows like the Big Reno show. I have enjoyed visiting with him and consider him a real asset to the Luger collecting community! I just don't agree with the way he tries to solicit business or market his wares.

My wife and I have met and spent time visiting with Ralph Shattuck at his home. His collection and inventory is something you will not see anywhere else in the world. He is gracious, friendly, witty and most of all very genuine in his passion for Lugers and their history. So to all of you whiners out there who have a "problem" with the way Ralph does business-BUILD A BRIDGE SO YOU CAN GET OVER IT!!
DougT

Everyone is entitled to their opinion... but keep it cordial folks... I don't want to have to lock this thread over tempers...

There are those that like and do business with Mr. Shattuck and those that choose not to...

Please lets keep the discussion on Lugers and not on business philosophy differences.

No matter who you do business with, you will have ups and downs in your business relationships. You should take adequate precautions to protect your hard earned dollars, just as vendors must take adequate precautions to be sure they aren't ripped off. The dealers that do it best, end up making the most in sales and friends.

The thing I really like about visiting him is 1100 Lugers for sale (way more than his list) and 500 minty ones in his collection to look at. Tell him you want to look at a 1936 S/42 for example and after a few minutes of looking up numbers he pulls half a dozen of those for you too look at. It is nice to buy them when you have plenty of time to find the one you want.

DougT...Name calling is uncalled for here.I think you could get accross your message in a more mature way. Please give it a try. I do not consider myself a whiner. I just don't do business with Ralph because of the way he does business. Pretty simple really and it dosen't make either of us whiners. I just don't want to invest in bridges that should be free. I don't want to pay a cover charge to get into Wall Mart either.

I too agree with Lloyd, Randy Bessler provides a valuble service in two ways and I like doing business with him because of the way he presents his offerings. I look over his stuff often to see if there is anything I want. He is a very reputable and Friendly dealer and if he has what I want I can find it out easily.

A good discussion John, let's keep it civil. Jerry Burney

I'm with Jerry. A bridge to Ralph would probably be a toll bridge.