Price Guides for Lugers, Nambus, GEW98s, Arisakas?
 

Hi All,
(I have posted this at the Jan C. Still luger site as well).

I recently bought the official GunDigest Book of Guns and Prices (8th edition) for 2013.

From page 625:

Erfurt Royal Arsenal

1914 Erfurt Military

"The finish on this model is rough; and as the war progressed in 1917 and 1918, the finish got worse. There were many thousands produced with one- to five-digit serial numbers, some with letter suffixes."

Valuation

NIB: ---
EXC: $1300.00
VG: $950.00
GOOD: $600.00
FAIR: $400.00
POOR: $350.00

This assessment covers 1914-1918 Erfurts.

I find this "valuation" to be nonsensical. There is no consideration for year, unit markings, matching numbers, matching magazine, correct screws, non-1920 stamped, etc...

Additionally, I can find nothing on Nambus, GEW98s, or Arisakas.

Can anyone recommend a more knowledgeable, realistic price guide for C&R collectible firearms?

Richard

lugerforum.com and luger.gunboards.com is my recommendation.

Don't use the "Black & Blue book!!!!

I get SO tired of dealers pulling out the infamous "Bluebook" at shows when it comes time to buy something from you.

While it is a fairly competent general guide, it does not reflect real world values as a general rule.

Often they use out of date editions! We are dealing in lugers not used cars!!!!

yes, over the years I have seen and heard of a dealer using a four yr old guide to buy and a new one to sell...

SOLD items on gunbroker, auction arms, take 25% off what sells at Rock Island (not the fees mind you, but so many idiots that have no idea what they are buying). And yes, still decent deals at auctions, but the more they go on-line, that is good for them. The local auction went on-line and the prices are too high to get a good deal.

The comment field on the Erfurts is inaccurate to stupidity (Oh no, I sound like Jerry :)). I get tired of 'all' erfurts having a rough finish silliness, and the '5 digit' comment is not true.

(Oh no, I sound like Jerry ..Your not handsome like him though...

I dunno, Jerry...It looks like a draw... :thumbup:

http://lugerforum.com/images/lugerholsterrepair.jpg http://lugerforum.com/images/ed.jpg

Jerry, Ed, John, Ron, and the rest of the gang can be found at -

http://lugerforum.com/rogues.html

...Man! Look how young Mauro & Gerben are!... :D

Rich, Well I guess they were right! The NSA IS spying on us!

I find this "valuation" to be nonsensical. There is no consideration for year, unit markings, matching numbers, matching magazine, correct screws, non-1920 stamped, etc...

Additionally, I can find nothing on Nambus, GEW98s, or Arisakas.

Can anyone recommend a more knowledgeable, realistic price guide for C&R collectible firearms?

Richard..Experience is one way..what I am willing to pay is another. I am cheap so I go after bargains but a fellow who just received his inheritance, sold a business or has a tidy retirement income will beat me every time.

The "Blue Book" While handy is at least a year out of date when it falls off the printing press IMO. Any book that publishes prices would be. As troublesome as it is..looking over the online dealers and auctions give you a feel for the market..then it's up to the buyer to decide if an item is reasonable or not.

Remember, you never overpay..you just bought too soon.

Ya know, you guys could update your pics every 10 years or so... :rolleyes:

You better hope they don't hang your mugs in a post offices!!!

Jerry, very well said sir! Your right on the money. (:

Bob

These days, the new greeting when meeting someone will be; "Gee, you look just like your satellite photo!".

They won't be much better...I Googled my old workplace, to see what the Google Earth view looked like...I haven't been there since November, but my car is still sitting in the parking lot... :roflmao:

Are you guys saying the CURRENT YEAR "Blue Book of Gun Values" is too high or too low?

It is my understanding that Blue Book is a RETAIL asking/selling price.
I usually take the Blue Book and knock 15-20% off to arrive at a more reasonable price - am I way off?

- Geo