"The" Luger book?
 

Hello,

My brother in law has had a long interest in Lugers; I'd like to buy him one or two books. Is there a definitive book on Lugers? I am thinking of a $100+ book that is a couple inches thick with good photos, etc.

Thanks!

Lots of them, in fact this has been brought up several times, but who knows where!

There are several wide ranging books. First question, does he like a certain time period, or own a certain time period Luger?

Jan C. Still has the best books for certain eras; he has one each on; Imperial Lugers, Weimar Lugers, Axis Pistols, and Third Reich Lugers, most are available on e-bay.

On many eras, Kenyons, Lugers at Random is good.

Walters, The Luger Story is a good read, and worthwhile.

Datig and Jones are good, but out of date.

Other books I have left out are too specialized or suck.

Ed

I find "The Luger Book" by John Walter to be very informative and useful. It is in an encylcopedia format, with topics listed from A-to-Z. Out-of-print...but can be found on e-Bay and gun bookstores from time to time such as Ray Riling Arms Books :

http://www.rayrilingarmsbooks.com/cgi-bin/rrb455.cgi


Do not confuse "The Luger Book" with other books by Walter titled "Luger" and "The Luger Story".

I have the Luger Book, it is a good tool, but I do not think it worthwhile for a new collector, they would look in it and be overwhelmed, not understanding and thus get bored. A new collector wants lots of pictures, simple explanations and the facts.

As a christmas present, I might buy this and something else, but not by itself ;)


Ed

From your description, I'd say start him out with a hat trick--Kenyon's "Lugers at Random" and "Luger-THE-Multinational Pistol" and Walter's "The Luger Story".

It may stretch your budget just a bit, and you may have to search to find copies at good prices, but I can think of no better way to start out.

Keep your eye on ebay.

--Dwight

I'm going to have to disagree with you, Ed. Walter's was my first Luger book. I've had quite a few of the Luger books since then, and the only one I kept was Walter's "The Luger Book" (as I recall, you purchased my copy of Datig's book). Sure, it is Encyclopedic in construction and delivery, contains a few flaws and out-right errors, but by and large it is probably the most complete attempt at defining the pistol to date and I've used it to extensively to cross reference other german martial arms. It also pointed this novice collector towards only wanting mainstream guns and walking away from the exoctics which are so often conterfeited.

its okay if you disagree with me, its in my library, so it is ok in my "book".

:)


Ed

I too like the John Walter books, but I cut my teeth on "lugers at Random" and still believe that this is the best place for a beginner to start. I have new ones in stock @$65 postpaid. I also have a few more new copies of "The luger Parabellum" @$30, for those of your getting interested in the 1970s Mauser lugers. Tom Heller POB 398 St.Charles, MO.63302. Happy Holidays.

Greg,

For Swiss luger interests, the big, oversized book by V. Bobba is a must. It is written in Italian and English on a split page format and has color photos of the nicest Swiss lugers one can hope to find...

Simpson's has it for sale, new...they run about $ 80 used one-Bay from time to time...

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...products_id=37

Thank you, guys, I appeciate it.

Greg

Greg, the other luger forum, www.gunboards.com/luger/default.asp (The link is available in the Links and resources on this board) has a book review section. You might want to look that over to see what you like.