id-ing
 

Hi guys
I just got this little book--"The Luger Handbook" by Aarron Davis from Amazon .com
It cost about 10 bucks. It is a little paperback filled with information to help identify your lugers.
You guys that have been at it for awhile probably would not be too interested in it, but for the novice like me, it is super.
It has a tree like reference that will lead you into the correct identification of your pistol.
I have finally figured out (with lots of help from the forums too) that 1 of my Lugers is a 1920 DWM Commercial model (although it has a pre 1916 long sear bar on it) and the other is a model 1914 with German military proofs and a 1920 double date. The original date is 1917 and restamped 1920.
The book also gives you a pretty good idea of value.
Worth the 10 bucks
Paul

I don't have this one, sounds like it has some good information.

All of us need extra help and books that can help is good.

Paul,

The Davis book is a handy reference to carry around, it is most useful for basic Luger identification in the field. You should be aware that it is full of detail misinformation, (Emphasis added by Admin-JS) particularly (but not exclusively) as regards exterior finish. Also, the values listed range from high to very high, more representitive of online dealer/collector retail prices than actual worth. If you are paying Davis's prices for a Luger you are probably paying too much.

You will thank yourself later for augmenting Davis with some other basic references. I recommend that you start with Charles Kenyon's "Lugers At Random" to begin to familiarize yourself with with the vast assortment of real Lugers; and John Walters's "The Luger Story" to fill out the background basics.

This will go a long ways toward getting you beyond the "novice" category, enjoy.

--Dwight

Thanks Dwight
I thought the prices in the handbook a bit high. (or simply that I got a bargain)--No really
I paid 290 for the DWM and 300 for the Erfurt double date. Being that they are just shooters, but still real GERMAN Lugers. -it is a bargain.
I also got a book "Luger Tips" by Michael Reese II.
This is not bad but it doesn't lead you into identifications.
I think I will go look for the 2 books you recommend.
Paul
You can't learn too much.
Thanks

Dude, -killer- prices on your Lugers, congrats. Frankly they sound good, particularly the Erfurt double-date. Pictures?

--Dwight

Dwight
Check out the pictures in the Forum 'all military' page. It is dated 10/28 with a title of Erfurt.
I found it at the trading post when I went in for some reloading supplies.
Now everytime I go in I have to look at every gun in the place.
Paul

nice to see some deals out there!

sounds good, [img]smile.gif[/img]

It is worth reminding list members that Aaron Davis specifically put inaccurate prices in his paperback luger book. He told me this at a Denver show last Spring. There were no prices in his draft and the publisher required prices so he, for whatever reason, decided to insert extremely high prices. They are not intended to be accurate.