Walther P38s
 

I was grazing Legacy and they offered a beautiful P38 for under $1K. There price seems to be the same or under the years in the past. F.G.S. from whom I used to buy and seem not much more! What is the reason for such lack of lustre or demand??~~~ Eric

This ac44 was one of the most common p38's produced so many exist. I think you would find common Luger's also have not changed price much over the same period. Curt

If you are referring to the dull finish as "luster", I'd remind you that these are all truely wartime guns. Nothing commercial about them. If you really want an example of a lack of luster, look at the CYQ Spreeworks guns. Some look like they were cut out with a chainsaw. (IMHO, of course. sorry to any Spreeworks collectors whom I may have offended.)
Prices seem to hover from $750 toward $1000. And all Luger collectors shouild have one. They are fun and reliable to shoot.
Just avoid the post war guns. They bring half the money and are probably worth even less.
dju

Hi Eric,
 

Although I have always been a P.38 collector... I came to realize very early, that the P.38 would always be a bridesmaid to the Luger... It is just that it doesn't have the history, nostalgia and huge number of variations as other collectibles... Still, there are examples that rival any and all... early zero series, ac 41's and early ac 42's are as nice as any pistols made before or since... And the value of them in excellent to mint is quite high... same game, just a smaller field... So, in answer to your question, Common P.38s have always been moderately priced, and will remain as long as supply is greater than or equal to demand... So, keep sticking them away! ...:thumbup:.. Best to all, til...lat'r...GT

G.T. Timeless Advice
 

Twelve years ago a Gentleman in Peoria convinced me that lugers were the better long term investment. Below is my only Walther and my first Military luger! My first of each! Your advice is timeless! ~~~ Eric

The Luger has always been regarded for being such a work of art and also being lethal and so different in design. It has a mystique that is spell binding, even to the average person - being an adult or child.
The P-38 is just a good reliable pistol. Kind of a plain jane thing. I have two P-38s and enjoy having them. You can shoot them every day of the week and it's no big deal.
Jack

Both designs represent breakthroughs in the industry.

The Luger is the first widely successful semi-automatic pistol.

the P.38 is the first widely successful double-action / single-action pistol.

Here's one you won't see very often. I'm told that a good way to meet a P.38 collector at a gun show is to put one of these out on a display table, and watch their eyes...

The ones that suddenly look closer know it's a HP (Heerspistol) the commercial E/N proofed variant of the P.38. There are not very many of these around.

Marc

Warren Buxton published a three volume set devoted to every variety. I attached a sample. Its like Jan is to lugers!