Help on selling my TEST Eagle
 

[B] At time one must choose:confused: My Test Eagle is the only "True" bit of history I own, but do I keep it and maybe not afford the extra $$$ to buy a British sports car I've always wanted?
I am planning to list it on Gunbroker I guess. Never used that site. Some history on my Test Eagle. I bought it from a forum member for what I think was a very fair price. It had been already re-blued. Not to long after receiving it, it was off to "Thor" asking him to restore it to a close as possible "As Issued" condition. After waiting quite a few months it arrived. "WOW"!! I could not believe to was the same Luger. I put it away looking at it occasionally. I have never even cycled the action. Only the safety lever was moved. It even still has Thor's tag with my name still on it. (I know, that was a little overkill) S/N 6764 Needless to say, I've never fired it!Any help on placing a auction reserve on it? Thanks for any info!
Regards, Bill
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Nice looking Test Eagle. Thanks for showing us some of Thor's work.

This is just my opinion but ...

Reserve price will depend on how much you have in it (I assume you don"t want to lose money), and how much you are willing to take for it. Obviously it is only worth 50% of a what a 98%+ equivalent condition gun is, which brings it to about $4K-5K retail value (I think). If you get $3500 for it will you be happy?

Selling on Gunbroker if you have zero history may be a difficult sell - folks don't know if they can trust you - there are more than a few scammers on the open gun sites. I've seen people trying to sell guns they don't even have! Why not just list it here for what you want? If it doesn't sell in a few weeks, you can always try gunbroker.

- Geo

I agree with Geo, my first thought was <$5,000

I think some folks would be willing to pay more for a restored one, but 'normal' folks seem to want to pay $3500-$6000 for a non-reblued one / non-restored one in my dealings and watching.

I think $3500-$4500 is a likely price to get?

You can always ask $5k and come down, can't go up ;)

Ed

Another option would be a consignment sale via Simpsons Ltd. Their commission is 15%.

Thanks for the photos, your pistol is stunning.

Good luck, let us know how this concludes.

Another nice job by Ted!!

I think you would get more serious interest in the sale of this Test Eagle on Jan Still's site. A thread similar to this, with a corresponding thread in the For Sale sub-forum there. My reasoning is that Still's is a serious collectors place, and is more geared to the serious collector whilst this site is more for the casual collector. IMO you can get more $$$ for it on Still's site. :)

Thor's work is excellent, in my mind his recreations are as close to original as is possible.

Gunbroker.com is a great place for run-of-the-mill handguns but for big-money items Simpsons or Legacy (with attendant consignment fees) is a better bet. Again, they attract the high-end collectors.

Just my $.02... :rolleyes:

Thanks all for your inputs. I never thought a restored Luger, even if it was a A.E. Test, might be valued at $3,000 to $3,500. I guess I'll list it on Gunbroker with a $3,000 reserve and see what happens. This is a super forum and have learned much and will still follow it. The first handgun I ever owned was a double date Luger bought in Ketchikan Alaska in 1971. As I recall I paid $125 for it. Always wish I'd kept it as I guess we all do. I will also be listing a built Navy that was a built by another forum member. New barrel and rear sights and shoots great, very accurate. I know it might be awhile, but another great Luger will be in my possession.
Regards, Bill
Just got the last response about Still's sight. Thank you. Guess for now better to look at the options.

Ted is the reason for the increase in value. I've known Ted and his perfection for over a decade. His work is first rate. His faith, highest standards and beliefs show his perfection evident in his work! His beautiful works of luger art can be seen on his site! http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/

Currently I see Test Eagles going for more than I thought they would. I think it is because the collecting community is becoming more aware of the US historical significance of these guns. They appear to be routinely going for in the neighborhood of $7500 +/- for a clean, unpitted mostly matching piece, and a very few really nice original finish examples have soared over the $10,000 mark.
In the case of this Luger that has been given a proper restoration, I would not hesitate to place the reserve at $5000. As has been stated, you can always come down in price if it does not move at that level and you really want to sell it. I am a big fan of US Test Trial Lugers and I enjoy seeing the revival of their popularity.
Placing the gun for sale on either forum is also a pretty good way to maximize the exposure of this gun to appreciative, knowledgeable prospective buyers.
Ron

Ron, How many have you documented thus far? Thank you as always!! Bob has 5 right now for comparison~~~ http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=179_190

383 in the 6100-7100 serial number range. As you might expect, the number has not gone up much since the last time you asked.
Ron

Thank You For your passion and accuracy! Eric

Jasta2:
I don't understand why you priced it at $ 3,500.00 you were advised at perhaps upwards of $ 4,500 or more - even $ 5,000.00??
Thanks
Jack

Why? I'm kind of a simple person and was never driven to be after the top $$$ I ask the forum of it's thoughts on my Test's value and very surprised at the values presented. Sure, in the end I might get a higher price, but at what hassle. I guess in the end I wish not to get into what auctions and consigning it to a firearm collector dealer entails. I would be more than pleased to get $3,500 for it thru this forum if someone buys it.
Bill

Jasta2,
please check your pms!

Good for you! I hope it finds its way to another unselfish individual that appreciates fine firearms. Hats off to you.
Ron

If a 98% TE (is there such a gun?) goes $7k on RIAC, this one probably can not reach $3500. Because that's legacy auction, people chasing condition go there. Most unlikely they would chase this one. That market is very biased. But you can sell it yourself online nowadays. No need to go auction house.

I have not tracked Luger market. Just general feeling..

Way to go Bill . Good answer !!! Bill

Jasta2:

I had the understanding you have conveyed - from your earlier posts. I was trying to get you to rethink your end result.
You are a remarkable guy.
I will be anxious to see what it goes for. In the meantime if I get some extra funds, I will consider it.
Merry Christmas
Jack

All advice taken as intended and all very helpful.
Gee my email and PM box is kind of filling up! (a good thing)
Now to sort them all out!!