My father's luger collection amassed over 50 years
 

Hi - Over the past 50 years, my father built a luger (and mauser) collection that numbers nearly 60 pieces. Many of the pistols are in mint or near mint condition.

He has decided to liquidate his entire collection through the James Julia Auction house (the auction will take place on October 4th and 5th) - I thought the members of this forum would be interested in the auction, given the superior condition and rarity of a number of the lugers in his collection and now being offered. Some of the highlights of the collection are:

-1893 LOEWE BORCHARDT WITH MATCHING STOCK
-COMMERCIAL BOLO MAUSER WITH MATCHING HOLSTER/STOCK
-DWM 1902 LUGER CARBINE WITH ORIGINAL LEATHER CASE
-DWM 1900 AMERICAN EAGLE LUGER WITH IDEAL STOCK AND GRIPS
-DWM 1902 AMERICAN EAGLE FAT BARREL LUGER
-DWM 1900 BULGARIAN LUGER
-DWM 1920 CARBINE WITH STOCK

Here is a link to the first session of the auction, which has photos and detailed descriptions (from an independent expert) of many of his Lugers (see lots 1072-1142, which include most of his pistols)

http://jamesdjulia.com/auctions/div_....asp?pageREQ=1

I am sure if you have any questions, I can his answers and post them.

Mark

Hi Mark,
Thank you for the info;I will be bidding.
Bob

Very impressive. I will bid early and often.

Thanks Michael & Bob - if you have any questions, I will forward to my father. I really don't know much about Lugers, but the independent expert who graded the guns (and he was extremely conservative) in terms of their condition (as written in the description) has seen thousands of Lugers. He said that his Borchardt was the best example he has ever seen (in terms of condition and originality).

Mark

I'll attend. Take it easy on me Mr. Zelaney!

Mark,
Thanks for the heads-up. Your father's Borchardt is a new serial number for the data base...much appreciated.
Ron

auction description
 

I've developed a habit of trusting the gun descriptions of some auction houses and a total "NEVER" with other houses. I've never dealt with the James D. Julia auction house. Are their gun descriptions accurate and honest? -Barry

Judging by the meticulous references to small defects for most of the models, I would at least feel well informed when bidding with Julia.

In terms of condition, my father went into this thinking that a large portion of his collection was in mint condition. He was told the independent expert was going to be very conservative for the very reason you raise - they don't want any surprises - so on some of the guns that my father thought were truly mint, the expert found and pointed out the flaws. His descriptions, from what I understand, are accurate and conservative (making his comment about the Borshardt all the more impressive).

So, as I mentioned before, while I am no expert, I believe these are highly accurate descriptions - so that someone doesn't buy it and then get disappointed with the pistol when it arrives. I will also tell you that the expert found that a couple of the lugers my father thought were in mint condition were refinished and thus couldnt be considered mint (and this is noted in the description). Also, the expert found that the Russian one of one hundred (lot 1106) that my father bought years ago thinking it was truly one of the 100 is actually a reproduction. My father, who has gained an extensive Luger knowledge over the 50 years that he has colleccted and is a sophisticated Luger buyer, had no idea - he truly believed it was one of the 100. Needless to say, 1106 makes full disclosure.

I just spoke with my father to urge him to register here so that he can monitor this post to answer any questions that you may have. I believe he will be signing in later today.

Mark

would be interesting to find out who sold your father the......ahem......."reproduction" Russian ;)

not fair

It is only the last few years (10-15) that many folks have considered russians as repros ~~ I still believe that Russia bought lugers :)

Didn't mean to be unfair, it's just a confusing issue....I know the controversy exists about the reality of these pistols..... I'm just wondering if the appraiser decided, as it sounds in the listing, that Russians ARE a legit variation, and this one was created to mimick one.

+ 1 :thumbup:

As a relatively new Luger collector, I would recommend the Julia auction listing photographs for study.

If they are conservative estimates of condition, the higher resolution photographs provide a great reference for understanding the finish condition of my own collection and Lugers that I examine in the future.

Marc

That is my take on it. The "Russians" are legitimate and this one is made up from another gun to look like a Russian.

Your father made some awesome choices !!!

that is a stunning carbine/case set!!



not to mention the other items at the auction for sale:bowdown:

thanks - I know he had mixed feelings on auctioning his collection...

Some people never learn ;)

Explain this baffling situation - why would the Russian military order a contract of Luger pistols specifically requesting for Bulgarian markings in addition to an emblem on the chamber that has no connection to the Russian empire? If the Russian contract Lugers have crossed rifles on the chamber, why not the AE Test Trial Lugers (for the cavalry) having crossed swords on the chamber?

Hi Albert, Welcome back, we missed you! I'm amused that a mere reference to a Russian Luger is enough to waken the sleeping tiger. Best regards, Norm

Moi, a sleeping tiger...I'm a sweet pussssy cat :D

It always good to keep other people on their toes!

Cheers,
Albert