Matching Luger - How'd I do?
 

Here is my 42 Code 1940 bring back Luger. Paid $1050 for it back in the summer of 2008. Matching except the FXO Mag, grips are not numbered. Bore has a little frosting but is still good. Finish shows some use, but doesn't seem to have any pitting. How did I do? What can you tell me about it?

Patrick, looks from the pics you have an honest WWII military luger. I do not think you did to bad. Fairly common, but all original. Good one to run some bullets thru. John

Ditto. Have fun.
DJU

Would you rate this Luger as maybe like an entry level collectors piece? Or? Yeah the bluing shows a little wear, but at around 80-85%, I know it's not a just a shooter. What do you think?

To me, the Luger shows normal hoster wear for a pistol of it's age. Sort of a "been there, done that." I would say its a good 85% finish. Problem, that means it is both a shooter (if you want to) and a collector.
If you decide to shoot it, please use 115 Winchester 9mm, white box only. They seem to shoot very well in all Lugers and P38s.
You have a very nice Luger.

Nowadays, many original all matching but lower blued gun with excellent bore return to 3 digit price range. I just acquired one for shooting. Shooter is not a low term in my mind -- to qualify as a shooter, it cannot be a parts gun, it cannot be relined or rebarrelled, it does not require repairing work, and it must shoot accurately.

Prettier guns also drop in value, but those are still expansive (although cheaper than yesteryear, not low enough yet), and considering shooting activity really downgrades the prettiness of finish, I will leave those alone.