Fair price on a byf 42?
 

As is indicated by my question I am not a Luger collector. I just happened to stumble upon one at a local shop last week. The dealer is very reputable and I have dealt with him often but on guns with which I am more familiar. The Luger in question appears to be in excellent original condition. The only bluing wear is slight thinning on some edges and a small quarter inch bare spot on the front grip strap. No rust, no pits. Numbers match to include the magazine which does have a chipped base plate. He has an aluminum replacement base plate from another magazine which he will furnish to the buyer. Bore is nearly pristine with no visible pitting. Grips are likewise very good with sharp checkering. It's priced at $1150. Is the price in the ballpark? No photos available. I'm tempted.

Without seeing the pistol, It's hard to say for sure, but that sounds like a good deal if it is indeed in excellent condition. byf lugers tend to be pricey.

I would say, that if you don't know lugers, it is always a guess if it is all matching, etc. Although this might be a gooood deal, buy luger books, then lugers :)

Buying books is a great idea, however you do not always have that option if you come across a good deal first. I did not have any Luger books when I bought my first Luger out of a pawn shop, but I did know enough about them to tell that it was original. If I had waited and ordered a couple of books first to research it, it probably would not have been there when I went back.

You mention a matched magazine with a chipped base. What is the base made of? Does it have the same letter suffix as the pistol?

I went ahead and put it on layaway. I work backwards from what is sensible advice. I really like to have a sample in hand and then do the research. I get much more out of it and take more interest in it if I have one to look as I go through the references. I just couln't tell for sure if the price was about right after looking at some of the hefty prices on internet sites versus discussions on forums such as this. Thanks for the feedback. Now to find a book.

Go for it rabbit - you never pay too much for a gun, you just pay it too soon!

Amen to that.
Most of mine will reach what I paid for them about 2020.:roflmao:

I'll go check. I might have a couple of those myself! If I only had bargains, I would have practically nothing. I enjoy them all.