A Comparison...
 

I primarily collect German rifles. Good, matching examples are difficult to find and good, matching examples are often traded behind the scenes among collectors. Yet, there are many junk rifles constantly on internet auctions that serious collectors would never buy..

OK.. for the comparison.


I happened to search GB for Lugers last night and found many many listed. unlike the rifles, are there good and right Lugers available on GB to buy or are many of these messed with and caveat emptor with a capital C.E.?

I think same standards apply, otherwise, if you have noticed it in rifles, then pistols are the same. Buy from collectors you know.


Ed

I agree.. although I must say.. I think I have found some pretty good buy's on GA over GB. Seems people get in a bidding frenzy on GB.

BTW.. Hi Bob.. I think we have spoke on gunboards before. Bob is THE K98 expert!

Waltherguy, I agree, some real good folks sell on auction arms or GB, heck, I have 2 lugers on GB now, and I think I am a good guy?


:D


Ed

:D Ed Not only do I think your a good guy.. I think everyone here on the Luger forum are some of the most kind, generous, and knowledgeable people I've spoke with! I enjoy learning something new on the forum everyday! And, I have seen your guns for sale.. I think they are awesome! To bad my wife would probably choke me if I bought another gun anytime soon :(

Reggie

no expert waltherguy... just avid.

So do Luger collectors here look to GB/AA to find righteous stuff?

Caveat Emptor.

Riteous Lugers can be found on GB/AA, also on GunsAmerica. Questionable junk can be found there as well. Knowledge of the topic, the ability to read between the lines, and many questions and requests for photographs arenecessary in the search. Most (but not all) is overpriced.

I look everywhere.

--Dwight

I must say this is a great thread. Over the years, I have bought many Lugers, P.38s, 7.65mm pocket pistols and other 9mm pistols on both Auction Arms and Gun Broker. With some great pictures, great descriptions and some luck, I can say for the most part I have been very satisfied with the results.

The up side on Auction Arms is the no questions asked return policy. If you don't like the firearm, you can return it for a refund, minus shipping (and insurance) and sometimes brokerage fees. Gun Broker is not so liberal.

If you know what you are doing, one can find some screaming deals!! If you don't know what you are doing, you can really get taken!!

Look at the sellers feedback and caveat emptor!!

Are all sales within US only? ..and is it possible for me to lay out an item there for sale? (from Norway) I'm about to sell a Mauser K98 rifle

Importation laws make it virtually impossible to ship a firearm to a US buyer from outside the country.

Morgan,

I might be interested in the K98, granted it is in 7.92x57 and in good shape. Send me a PM if so.

Balder

Frank- Just to clarify. You still find good Luger deals (below retail) on GB/AA? I dare say there are NO good deals to be found on combat Nazi long guns. The scouting for these weapons is intense and nothing gets by, unless the pics are so horrible that most buyers won't take a chance... and some lone wolf does.

Bob, looking long enough you find deals on anything. I found a Costanzo on ebay a couple of years ago for $45 buy it now. I bought it.

Everything depends on the seller, I do not beleive you will find "better" deals on the gun boards "per se", you will find better deals every now and then everywhere.

That was specific advice, buy from collectors or shops you know. Doesn't mean you will find a bargain from them, but they are more likely to be honest.

Local gun shops "usually" will be expensive on lugers, yet I have seen a Krieghoff, a Simson and many other varaitions bought cheaply from local gun shops on this board. Everything depends on the seller, their expertise and/or if they just want / need to turn a profit.

ed

On several items I was interested in, I risked letting it run and close several times until the seller was willing to really deal, of course I have lost many items in doing this, but like waiting at the bus stop, another is bound to come by sooner that later....on the other hand I just bought two old boxes of German 9mm ammo at far more then I wanted to....Ed your buying theory is not going to work on my Simson tools and clips :)

Bob in OH, I double checked my records for the last few years (2004, 2005 and 2006). So far nothing in 2006, but I have seen some nice Lugers, which I might have made a bid if I didn't already have one of that breed. The one I remember is a 41 byf with E/655 and E/135 WaA Marks (pretty rare) that sold for $1000 on GB.

In '04 and '05 I bought three collectable Lugers, all for $1000 or less. One 98% 41 byf for $950, a 97% 1939/42 for $1000 and a 95% minus 1936 for $950. Of course, shipping was in addition to the pistol price.

So they are out there, but ya just gotta be careful!! Ask the right questions and get a commitment for a return policy (for GB) if the pistol isn't as advertised. Without the latter, I wouldn't bid!!

Good Luck!