1917 Artillery DWM, First Purchase
 

Gentlemen,
I recently had the urge to fulfill my dream of owning a Luger. I had planned on taking my time and doing research until I stumbled upon an extremely clean gun on GB. I have agreed to a sale price on this piece offline with the seller and I just have to alert my FFL to the inbound package and complete the transaction tomorrow.
Can you give me an opinion on the piece? Also, any concerns?
Here is the link: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=373021340

I appreciate any info and advise and thank you in advance. This is my first Luger and my first post here of hopefully many. I had no idea of all the variations of this pistol and the arty Luger just "looks right" to me.
Thanks in advance.

Ray,

Congratulations on your first Luger. My first was an Artie, too. The first time only happens once! Nothing in particular jumps out at me as an issue, though we'll soon enough see what the more experienced can observe in the pics. I hope the included repro holster and stock didn't, in your accounting, represent a significant portion of what you paid. Is that high bid yours? Anyway, once thoroughly cleaned and lubed, I think it will look great (the gun, not me).

David Parker

Dave,
Thanks for the response. The high bid isn't mine and we are above that number on the agreed price. Am I way out of line on price?

Yes you are way out of line on the price.I would return it for a refund.
Top retail price is $2200 to $2500.

Bob

Condition just isn't there..I agree with Bob. Holster & stock are cheap repro's. Nothing there but a shooter IMO. Matching mag is a fake. Gun worth around $1400-1500, .. and holster & stock around $79-150 max. Save your money..look elsewhere. The seller is insane..$5100 buy it now?

At that price I hope you can get a refund/return. It is way over priced. Bill

Guys,
I appreciate the feedback prior to me completing the transaction. I'll look elsewhere.
To the uninformed, meaning me, I thought the condition on a 96 year old Luger was exceptional.
Thanks again.

Ray..condition equals price of course. Condition on this pistol is marginal shooter. You can do better. I know a fellow on this Forum and Jan Stills that might have what you are looking for..George Anderson. You might want to contact him. A finer collector you will seldom meet.

Jerry, thank you.

I believe that we discussed that very gun a couple of weeks ago. That magazine was an obvious red flag.
And while I have a soft spot for Artilleries and am not quite as critical, the seller is way too proud of that one.
Keep looking and keep us posted. These guys will steer you right.
dju

Ray, you've been well advised by some very knowledgeable collectors/enthusiasts (this is understated). Maybe with the dough the guys saved you, you can get two! I was gonna say that (even) $3500 seemed pretty high, but other duties called. I'm glad you could back out of the deal unscathed.

Gentlemen,
You have saved me a considerable amount of money on a piece that was not at that value. Thank you again.
I'll post with my first Luger soon enough as once it has gotten in my head, now I have to acquire one. Or two as ithicaartist points out.

This gun rig looks correct to me and probably worth the price. Curt

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=373359640

All:
Tale a look at that last artillery,
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=373359640

and give your opinion. It looks like the real deal to me, but I forget if the stock should have a suffix. And I have no idea about that leather. Leather looks too good to be true, but I can't point to specifics. Gun looks very nice. I'm interested to hear from the experts.

dju

Gentlemen,
I want to thank you again for your expeditious advice regarding my first luger purchase. As I said, I was buying with little information other than wanting a Luger. This would have led to an expensive mistake. I was able to extract myself from the deal.

I also thank you for turning me in George's direction for guidance and possible purchase pieces. George was extremely responsive and presented me with many options for my first purchase. The transaction went smoothly and I am extremely happy with the end result and knowing I purchased "real" Lugers. I wound up buying 3 Lugers from George's list and all exceeded my expectations.

Thank you again.

Ray, Glad to hear it all worked out with George..He is a fine fellow, very knowledgeable and occasionally sells some very fine Luger's! Congratulations!

I agree, way over priced. I don't see why we would call it a marginal shooter though. I think the condition is pretty decent. $1500 would be about my price. It sounds like you are paying more than twice that. Run if you can.