Quality or Quantity, that is the Question.
 

Am new to collecting and sort of want to get my favourite pistols into my safe ASAP. Currently have a nb matching 1915 DWM luger and a 65 Walther PPK, both nice condition pistols. Am currently eyeing up two separate P-38's and a Colt 1911 plus a SW .38 victory. The P38s plus the 1911 are WWII non numbers matching warhorses, abit rough and definantly shooters but are in my price range to own them both.
But recently have come across a mint 1938 Walther PP which is a beautiful condition old girl but alone is the same price as both the shooters!!? Hadn't planned on owning a PP but this one is in such good condition! Am on a limited budget. What to do, what to do......
:confused:

Many of us collectors at the start have asked this same question, "what to collect?"
I can say that I started many years ago with Colt 1911 and K98K, then slowly I sold all my 1911 first, then all the K98K and started to collect Colt Pythons and I bought some crummy LUGERS just for experience and started to learn from them.
What kind of Lugers would be the most interesting to collect? I wouldn't be able to suggest you anything, it's a matter of personal choice. As far as Lugers are concerned at the moment I've only got a very small collection of 14 Lugers, few but nice, my favourite ones are 1900, after all the first Lugers, made in 1900, were made for Switzerland, and immediately after for the USA... but I love 1908 too, I think they made more than 40 different versions of the P.08 so after all it's only a matter of taste ... and money.

Collect on the quality side of the equation. Sell the 2 to get the 1.

Hi Tim, In my opinion you will get more long term satisfaction out of owning one superb gun, than three with issues.
Regards, Norm

From future selling point of view, quantity items (lower value) are easier to sell. Quality item (higher value) is lovely, but the potential buyer circle is smaller. Higher the value, smaller the circle, longer waiting.

'Buy the best you will never regret the rest'!! me

I'd have to agree with Norm and Eric. I often see guys arrive at the range with a themed collection, (say, major WW2 issue pistols), but they are all ragged rats. In their mind, they have a "representative example" of each WW2 issue pistol, but I personally would have invested that money in one or two really nice examples of a favorite versus a whole lot of rust and pitting.

Good Point! Another factor is when one trys to sell it! If the luger is either mismatched or like the thousand others it will have little value or appeal for years to come. Something has to be unique to set it apart among thousand others. Unit marking and everything being correct sets it apart! Half of the excitement is tracing its history. At time of sale you need an edge to get a second look. Something special to that gun!! Without such provence it better be really sweet! Alvin there are high end buyers who demand quality and will pay for the same. Recent Auction results show lugers are a continued hot item and good investment!! Legacy Collectables is a fine example and is part of the family. Its a good start for luger window shopping. In my past I made the mistake of having 2 ex-wives and buying silver at $37 now $21! Ouch! Nice correct lugers NEVER go down!

In all the hobbies that I have been in that involved collecting of something i.e. coins, paper money or whatever, the advice from the more knowledgeable, experienced collectors has always been the same "Buy the best that you can afford". Hope this helps. :cheers:

Lon

Although I can appreciate a well used and real gun, given the choice between paying a bit more for one in excellent shape and one in so-so shape, pay the extra!

what is a nb ???

It amazes me back in 1969 we had 'Lugers at Random' over 40 years ago containing over 100 variations!!! These were known by Charles Kenyan in 1969 to exist!! Almost a half a century later I think we need a volume two or at they very least an updated inventory and a few corrections! His concept is good but really needs an updating! I do thank Ed and the few others who stepped in to the shoes of our past to not only publish but corrrect our facination with our favorite gun!! An honor to hold and own piece of our history and that we may some day pass down and realize their significance! For now we are the keepers with is a rare status!!

Well I bought the PP!
Will post pictures when it arrives.
Thanks to all for the advice. :cheers: