THE LUGER JOURNAL
 

Does anyone know how long The Luger Journal was published? A friend that sold his Luger collection over the past few years gave his books and related material to another friend and I and I picked it up at the gunshow this weekend. The Luger journals that I got were from Number One through Number Twenty Four.

The first issue is dated June 1965, and one of the interesting things that I noted while thumbing through them is that people were looking for specific numbered parts over thirty five years ago so this is not something new.

Re: THE LUGER JOURNAL
 

Johnny,


People were looking for specific parts in the late forties also. I know; I was one of them.

Re: THE LUGER JOURNAL
 

I have been told WaA stamps and official document stamps

were available in the 1950's.

Re: Numbers
 

Here in Germany, they still are. Classified adverts in the gun magazines have them on offer - as well as people who are willing to apply the stamps and dealers with parts sorted by numbers. So the attraction of a fully numbered gun has waned considerably.

Re: Numbers
 

Patrick,


With the proliferation of "faked" Lugers on the market in the US, how do you tell fakes or reworks in Germany? Is this problem as bad there as here? Do any of the German laws protect the buyer if a dealer/seller advertises and sells a Luger he knows has been faked?


Marvin

Re: THE LUGER JOURNAL
 

The journal was published on and off for about 3 years was a real source of information back then. Publishers name was Robert Marvin out of Florida. He published several small minographed booklets on proof marks which were ahead of Constanzo. However, the ink faded which destroyed his work. I believe I have a complete set of his monthly printings (have a few stains one of my cats pissed on them years ago)they had some good info. Makes you ill to see prices back than.

Re: THE LUGER JOURNAL
 

I have a copy of Marvin's proof book too! TEd

Re: THE LUGER JOURNAL
 

In the first issue there is a Borchardt advertised in near mint condition with the original holster for $1000. Also a 1917 dated Navy all matching except mag and in excellent original condition for $200. Mauser Banners were $150 to $175.

Re: Luger prices "back then"
 

But guys, remember what wages were back then and compare!

Re: Numbers
 

There�´s no protection - unless the seller guarantees that it�´s authentic.The legal principle is caveat emptor - let the buyer beware. If you want to speculate in antiques you just have to know your way around. Pattick

Re: Luger prices "back then"
 

Hugh,

Good point on the difference of wages "back then." Although I am too young to have personal knowledge of the "good old days," from what I've heard, the advantage was that there were more things available at decent prices. Every large museum-grade gun collection that I've heard about seems to have one thing in common, the collections were assembled by collectors who started in the '40s or '50s.

Re: Luger prices "back then"
 

I can remember going into pawn shops in LA back in the 60's and seeing dozens of Colt Single Actions for $200-$250. but I couldn't afford them!

Re: Luger prices "back then"
 

A friend of mine told me he bought a Luger in the "60s for $20, shot it a few times and sold it for $25. Another man I know bought one in the 50s for $35. He still has it today, but I can't convince him to sell it, even though I would pay a lot more than $35.