New member question
 

Hello all.
My name is Sam from NW Arkansas, and I am brand new to the forum. I would like to add a luger to my collection but I have no idea where to start. I just purchased a nice byf44 p38 and was told that it was a pistol that most collectors start with. What would be a good entry level military collector luger to start with? Not really looking for a shooter.
Any help would be appreciated.
Sam

Hi Sam, welcome to the forum. A good place to start would be to place an add to purchase a Luger here on this site, there is no charge and several of the members here usually have one for sale.
Lon

You need to make several decisions first. What era do you want? WW1, Weimar, WW2, commercial. Do you want an all matching collector grade, shooter, or in between. How much are you willing to spend? I would encourage you to study this for awhile. Look at this Forum and Jan Still's forum. Ask all the questions you want. It is really easy to get burnt buying lugers. We are all here to help you along. Welcome. Bill

Sam:
Bill's right, first decide what time period interests you. What excites the imagination? Then follow the forum a bit, pick up a book or 2, watch Simpson Ltd's website, etc. to narrow the search and learn what your new quest is going to cost you. Ask questions, that's what we're here for.
Avoid the on-line sales and auction stuff until you are ready to swim with the sharks.
dju

Sounds like a Mauser made WW-II era Luger would appeal to you.

Keep your eye out for one here, and at some of the online commercial sites like Simpson's and checkpointcharlies.com

Your best first acquisitions are the reference books for Lugers in the era you're interested in.

John Walter's overview book is good and often available reasonably.

http://www.amazon.com/Luger-Story-St...ol+john+walter

Some of Datig's early books are also good overviews.

Stick with a more common variation that isn't as likely to have been faked or boosted.

Thanks all. I am really leaning towards a ww2 era luger. Correct original would be nice, as all my other ww2 guns are correct originals. But, depending on price I may have to go with a ww2 shooter to start. I would like to start in the 1000 to 1500 range.

I think that you should be able to find a good matching (except mag.) WW2 gun in that price range rather easily. Put an ad in the WTB section once you are ready.
dju

Regarding you P 38 and if you intend to shoot it.

If there are no wear marks or "scratches" on top of the chamber area, there will be if you do shoot it any.

Seen this discussed and in person. Specifically referring to 44s.

I think Mike is alluding to a Mauser with the 'byf' toggle. It would make an amusing 'mate' to your Walther. :)

Buy a nice byf 41 or 42 Luger, make it pair with that byf 44 P38. There are many nice byf, all you have to do is waiting a good price. Nice byf easily goes above $2000.... but $1500 should be able to find one...

Ah, yes; but then you will need a byf43 P38. Oh, and then a hard to find byf42 P38, etc., etc. Good luck and happy collecting! :)
Bill