A Rare Find
 

I have heard that you never know what might walk in at a gun show. Of course, when good fortune happens, it always seems to happen to the guy at the next table. Well this time, I think it was my turn. This past weekend during the Tulsa show, an elderly gentleman walked up to my table with a home made back pack hanging around his neck. He was carrying what looked like a Luger holster in one hand. I asked him what was in the holster. He reached in the "sack" and pulled out a copy of "Imperial Lugers" by Mr.Jan Still. He opened the book to page 137 and layed the Luger on the book and said, "I want to sell THAT Luger". And he did have "THAT" Luger. Same markings, same serial, same Luger. Along with Luger came a 1935 Police holster, the Imperial book and two magazines, neither of which are proper for the 1910. It appears that the mag and the grips have been replaced since the picture in Mr. Still's book was taken, as the grips are not properly marked. So here is sharing with the forum a most unusual Luger. BTW, please see page 137 of Imperial Lugers.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/dwm_copy2.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/dwm4.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/dwm2.jpg
http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/dwm3.jpg :)http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/dwm5.jpg

Wow Mike,

What a deal! That's a great one to have. Congratulations!!

Ron

C'mon..Ron! You and I are jealous! Say it with me..My name is Ron Smith and I want that unit marked Luger! Pretty sweet Mike...Jerry Burney

Mike Thats a nice piece and I to am jealous. Way to go . Bill

I saw this gun at the Tulsa show (after Mike had bought it). I think a nice find, very unusual!


Ed

Mike,

Congratulations on picking up this very cool Luger with unique provenance, and the Imperial Luger book as well. Sometimes things just work out in one's favor.

--Dwight

Imperial Luger
 

I was wondering if collectors assign any additional value to guns like this that are in Jan's book. Also, some of the guns are noted as owned by different people so would a gun in his book that is noted as being owned by the author (Jan) be of any additional interest? Thanks, Curt

"C'mon..Ron! You and I are jealous! Say it with me..My name is Ron Smith and I want that unit marked Luger! Pretty sweet Mike...Jerry Burney"

Jerry, You betcha...


"I was wondering if collectors assign any additional value to guns like this that are in Jan's book."

Hi Curt,

Maybe not all, but I'd bet the majority do.

Ron

I saw the luger after Mike bought it. I think that its being in the book does add value. Just gives bragging rights which of value to a collector.

Thanks to everyone for the overwhelming positive and complimentary comments! I look forward to additional postings about my "rare find".

I would like to make one special comment to Curt. Thanks for your response. It is my opinion that "WHY" the luger is in the book is the reason the value of the luger is inflated, not solely because it is listed and pictured in the book. Certainly there was a reason why Mr. Still chose that specific luger to highlight. I feel very fortunate and honored to have such an esteemed luger in my collection.

What a find Mike glad a forum member got it. " Congratulations "

The reason I ask this question is I have had a similar experience. I attended the Reno gun show in April 2004 and Jan was there selling his books ( all were available). I bought Axis pistols from him and had him sign it and noticed he had a single luger for sale and inquired about it.It was a 1914 dwm unit marked 37R.11.4 and at the time I was a new collector and he took the time to explain about unit marking and their rarity. I then wondered around the huge hall looking at other lugers but could not get it out of my head as so many just looked too good and I did not know enough about them to decide. So I went back and handled it again and decided that was the gun for me so I bought it from him for $1850 which seemed like a fair price.
He then turned and signed a Imperial Lugers book and gave it to me as well as a calendar from 1999 in which he had published with it as Miss October. This gun 1914 DWM is 1961a, bohler marked and is on page 43 in Imperial Lugers. The real stunner is the inflated value of the book over the years which he just through in to the deal. This is my most treasured gun although not my most valuable. If I had to sell my collection ever this would be the last to go, Jan is the kindest and most giving of all the experts I have ever met. Sorry if this was overly long winded and I did not want to steal the thread. Curt

Mike, would it be possible to see a photo of the left side of the pistol?

Aaron,
Left side added.

Mike

For those of you who have never met or talked to Jan Still. He is a very easy going and humble gentleman. Very willing to help with any questions or inquiries you may have regarding Lugers and German pistols.

A word of warning, should you have a Luger that he wants. Take a big stick to fend him off. ;)

Mike,

I'm still drooling...

Ron

beachbaker & Ron

Great story of meeting Jan at the Reno gun show. I always wondered what he was like in person, as I have all of his books.

WOW! :cheers:

I Love Luger hunting, no need for a medal detector!!