Opportunity to buy but need advice!!!
 

I have decided that I might like to get a Luger and I have a selection to choose from but its all Greek to me so if you all could comment on the different options and give me an avg condition value so I have some idea what I'm working with. Here are the choices.
Luger Erfurt made in 1913
Luger Swiss w/cross ser no. in 4000 series
Luger byf 42 ser no. in 2000 series
Luger byf 42 ser no. in 7000 series

I have seen the byf mentioned but don't actually get what it means.

Thanks for whatever info you can share.

erfurt is the manufacturer, just as byf equals Mauser

the big thing to think about is; do you want a luger, or do you want a certain type and year?

I am assuming someone has these and is letting you choose? Then it depends on choice or price? If they are all a good deal, then who knows.

What is important in buying any luger is condition and originality; those two things make the value of the luger larger or smaller....


Ed

Thanks Ed. Which of these seem interesting to you?? Also I checked some values at a web site and noticed that the Swiss ones were consistently higher. The other odd thing was that the Swiss ones were all 7.65 but the one for sale is 9mm. Is that odd?

7.65 was the original luger caliber. The Swiss stayed with that all the way. Germany, et al, went to the 9mm.

A lot depends on what you want the luger for. Collector, or shooter. What era? The 7.65s are a delight to shoot, but the ammo is sometimes hard to find, and more expensive than the 9mm.

FN

As with all firearm purchases, the basis of your decision is the purpose you're buying for.

Do you want one to collect? Do you want one to shoot?

If these are high condition in their original finish, and have all original matching parts, they should be conserved as collectibles. They are more valuable (financially and historically) than Lugers that have been refinished or that have mixed numbered parts. Mixed part and refinished Lugers are for shooting. If you want one to shoot, look for one for that purpose.

If you want to collect them, settle on an era (WW-I Imperial, Weimar, WW-II) that you're interested in, and buy that one.

If you're being given one, and don't care about the era, take the Swiss. They are quite interesting, and they have the grip safety mechanism that the others don't.

Marc