How many luger books are there?
 

Without listing them I have 11. I,m interested how many I,m missing. Starting with the big 6. I know of at least 8 more. What was the first? What is your favorite?

The earliest pure "Luger" book that I can think of is Fred Datig's "The Luger Pistol" first published in 1955 followed closely by Harry Jones' "Luger Variations" in 1959. Charlie Kenyon's classic "Lugers at Random" didn't show up until 10 years later.

At a quick count, I have around 50 books/publications devoted to the Luger with 5 different languages represented (four of which I can read with varying degrees of difficulty:)). I have close to double that amount of books on semi-auto pistols and firearms in general, most of which have references to the Luger.

In the garage I have easily 200-250 magagazines/publications (gun magazines, AUTOMAG, etc.) that contain Luger information, and a bunch of old Luger catalogs/listings from Shattuck, Drollinger, Bessler and others (unfortunately I have disposed of a lot of the catalogs that I had...just ran out of room). You pick up a lot of "stuff" in 50 years.

And growing everyday! I'm alway amazed by Jans' works. If its not in His books it doest exist! God Bless

I just found this signed first edition lost for years. Glad I looked!

Very Nice Eric...

Thanks John, Lawyers love books!

I'm at the opposite end of the Luger Library from Ron Wood: I have none at present.
I'd like the advice of all or anyone in the Forum regarding, what book to get first?
The catch here is, I don't want to have to take a second mortgage out on the house to pay for it. Also, as with all things, there's probably a pretty "basic" book to start with; a kind of "Dick and Jane buy a Luger" primer. ( After all these years, I'm sure Dick is old enough to purchase a firearm! )
Thanks in advance,
Best Regards,
Adler Auger

Hi Adler, The "other forum" has an extensive book review section, see link. It would help, though, if you could narrow down your areas of interest somewhat. There is no general Luger book that I would recommend. Kenyon's "Lugers at Random" is dated and the illustrations are poor. Good luck, Norm

http://luger.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=51

Thanks Norm:
At this point in my addiction to the darn things, I haven't enough experience to zero in on any one thing or area about Lugers. I'm sure as I get deeper into it I'll find a certain period, design, or feature that would get more focus, but for now, show me all you've got on Lugers and their accoutrement. Then again, those arties are catching my eye!
Thanks again, I'll visit the other site for more information.
Best Regards,
Adler Auger

Books
 

cirelaw;
I took a few pictures of my book case

I think that as an entry level book, 'The Luger Story' by John Walter is still one of the best, also in price/quality terms. He takes the reader along the history of the development, the major users and contracts. It's not a catalogue but it helps to lay the foundations you need as a Luger collector.

From there on, you can zero in on the user, timeframe and/or manufacturer that interests you most.

If your German is ok, 'Die Pistole 08' by Joachim Görtz is still a very good choice. The books are relatively easy to find at decent prices.

When you are interested in a certain era, the books by Jan Still are the ones to go for.
'The Dutch Luger' is the standard book for collectors of Dutch luger pistols.
'The Mauser Parabellum, Analysis of a million Lugers' by Don Hallock and Joop van de Kant for the 1930-1948 Mauser production.
'Simson Lugers' should explain itself :)
and if you are into more modern stuff, 'The Parabellum Is Back! 1945-2000' will be a good read also :)

Hans Reckendorff did a couple of good books in Imperial Lugers and on their Holsters.
'History Writ in Steel' is perfect for the police markings fans,

Etc, etc...

Basically, if you get Reguls bookshelves, you are set to go :)

Thanks; it looks as if I'll have to go see my bank in the morning to see about securing a second mortgage on the house after all. "Pamphlets and booklets, and books, oh my!!"
Best regards,
Adler Auger

I currently have at least 25 books devoted to just the luger, but started with Kenyons "Lugers at Random", which I still use quite a bit and think that @$60 is a good place to start learning about the basic variations. Next move on to Still's 3 volumes @ around $65 each and Costanzo WOL " Vol 1 @ about $300.and you're set as far as IDs. The rest are interesting history and fun reading and some of the latest ones are more up to date on details, but you can tie up a lot of money to own them all. TH

Thanks Tom, I'll pop in to a couple of used book shops which I suspect may have some of the titles you recommend. If all else fails I'll put a "WTB" ad in the Forum Buy/Sell section.
Thanks again,
Dale aka Adler Auger