Where to find my first Luger?
 

Hi Folks,

I've been doing research and trying to educate myself on this very interesting (and complicated!) hobby of Luger Collecting. I've learned a lot but am certainly still a novice who would struggle to identify a fair deal from a bad one (no matter how many books I have for reference).

I'm looking to buy my first Luger (definitely WW2 Era) but living in Maine, I haven't found a whole lot of options in local stores. Even though I think I've found a couple dealers with good reputations, Lugers are still hard to come by and when they do pop up from time to time, They rarely even hit the shelves. Most local dealers know several "hardcore" collectors and just give them a call and sell it quickly.

There's obviously a ton of knowledge on this board - do you folks have any recommendations for online dealers who have good reputations? I'm not looking for a steal, I'm happy to pay a fair price, I just want to try to find someone with a solid reputation, so I have a better chance of getting that fair deal.

Like I mentioned, I'm looking for a WW2 Era Military Luger in the $1000 - $2500 range.

Thanks so much in advance for any advice,
Scott

Scott, when first starting, lugers seem rare and uncommon. Especcially living in a remote location.

You can find lugers here on the board (several ww2 sold here in the last month); on gunbroker, on other boards and from many good dealers (you can search that subject here on the boards too).



Ed

Welcome
 

Hi Scott,
it is a very good idea to ask the old experienced Luger collectors in this forum. I bought my first Luger, a shooter grade Luger, just a few month ago. I guess I have paid too much, too. $850.00 for an all matching, but not nice looking Luger. (Bad worn out grips and maybe just 50-60% of the blueing left)
I guess a more experienced buyer had never paid so much for this gun. But anyway, I've learned my lesson.
That's why I ask so many questions here and many friendly people helped me out with plenty of great answers/information, yet.
My advise: Listen to the "old guys", you can learn alot.

Scott:
I find that when buying on GunBroker the best that can happen is you will get a fair deal. In short, there are no bargains, no sleepers, etc.
I recommend this board or one of the other Luger collecters boards. Aside from dealing with serious collecters with a bit more integrity who are here for the long haul, everyone is watching everyone else, their stuff, their prices, etc. We're all capitalists but I'd be surprised if one of the regulars here intentionally screwed a buyer.
"You can loose your fortune many times but your good name only once".
My $.02.
Now that being said, can I interest you in a bridge in Arizona?
DJU

Ed, Andy,

Thanks very much...quick follow up - I found Simpson Ltd. referenced in the threads and visited their site - they have quite a collection of Lugers for sale - are you familiar with them? they seem big enough to be well know, but I don't want to make any assumptions...

and Ed - I will definitely keep an eye out for Lugers for sale here on the forum in the next few weeks!

Scott,

Simpson's is at the high end price wise. As David says, check out the on line auctions first.

Hi Scott, welcome to the forum. I have learned very much in the short time I have been on here. I have already purchased 2 Lugers, and hope to buy more in the next few years.
This is a great bunch of guys, and I appreciate their words of wisdom. Hope you enjoy and hang around a while.

Derek

Hey, Ron. Good picture, but you need to smile more! LOL


Scott, Sounds like you're doing it right! I'm relatively new too. Read everything you can get your hands or mouse on. Lots of info in the stickies , and the forums for new collectors. Invest in some reference books. Read all the new posts. That's almost as good as hands on. Go to gun shows. Look, listen, handle if you can. But don't be in a hurry to buy, just yet. Get a feel for the market, and the dealers. You'll see some over priced junk, then once in a while, you'll see a treasure. And you'll know the difference. Ask questions. The folks here are the greatest, and they're willing to share knowledge and help Newbies.

FN

Thanks
 

Thanks to everyone for the kind words and the thoughts....it looks like I have some more homework to do :thumbup:

At least you start your quest in Maine, where the greatgrandfather of the Luger, sir Hiram Stevens Maxim, was born and raised.

Can't get much closer to the root than that.

$2500 can buy a super nice WWII Mauser Luger nowadays. It's good timing for buyer.

VLIM - That's really interesting - I was just watching "Tales of the Gun: The Luger" (on the history channel here in the states) and I learned about Maxim (although I knew the name from the machine gun)....had no idea he was born in Maine. Hopefully I'll stumble on one of his early prototypes at a yard sale....if I do I'll certainly post pictures :-)

Born in Sangerville, ME. The town itself bears a French style "ville" in the name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Maxim

FYI, I noticed http://www.collectorfirearms.org listed a bunch of Lugers recently. Some fall into $1000-$2500 range. You may want to take a look. A few guns in the site just came out of traditional auction.

The last house his parents owned (and then one of his brothers, Frank and his son after him) was located in Wayne, about 2/3rd along 'Pond Road' to the old cemetary.

Hiram nicely described the state as 'one of the best places to emigrate from' :)

But on a serious note, there are quite some locations in the USA that are linked to the early development of the forerunners of the Luger pistol. Hiram Maxim and his brother Hudson Maxim were born and raised in Maine, Hudson spent most of his life in New Jersey, Hugo Borchardt worked in the US, one of the Mauser brothers worked in the US, Isidor Loewe toured the US, learning the production techniques that would later become associated with 'German engineering'. Even elusive characters from the Parabellum history like Hans Tauscher and baron Paul von Gontard (DWM management -> Anheuser-Busch) left their marks there.

Without the USA there would not have been a Parabellum pistol.