Which One?
 

I sold my first Luger last year,and plan on getting another. My final two choices are:
A 1917/20 Weimar Police rework 96% blue, 60% straw, very good bore,excellent grips

And a Mauser S/42 1937 90% blue,
80% straw, excellent bore, excellent grips.

Both Lugers come from Simpson,and both are matching except mag. I love both, but which one would be better as far as collector value? I want my first real Luger to be a good one. Please help!! Expert opinions needed here.

Depends, what else do you collect? Each is of a different era, and have different collectors views.

I think the Mauser S/42 will have slightly higher value down the road, the 1917 started as an Imperial / WW1 gun, then was transfered to the police. That is what I collect, so naturally feel it is a better choice, but it all depends on what you like?

Ed

Hi James,
I am partial to the Weimar Police. However,if it's the one displayed on Simpsons' site. The magazine is not proper for the era. It has a WWII issue FXO magazine.
They show the 1937 without a magazine. I would e-mail them to find out what kind of mag it has with it, if any.
If you are looking for an investment/shooter? My vote would be for the 1937. WWII Lugers seem to be more desirable at present.Also the 1937 is a pre-salt blue, earlier variation with strawed parts, which also makes it a little more desirable. Just my opinion.

Good luck, Ron

I want this to be an investment/sometimes shooter. I do like the history of the Weimar rework, but want a good Luger.
Ron, do you mean the 1937 is salt blued? I can not remember when this process ended...37-38? The 1937 is a little more, and I do have a WWII mag here that I can use for a spare.

I just emailed the seller asking about the Mag for the 1937. It is a little more, but it looks like a good buy. I want to make sure I get a good one this time...I got burned on my first purchase.

Knowledge is everything, books, reading, asking questions. That will keep you from geting burned a 2nd or third time.

Ed

James, No. It should be rust blued. In approx April 1937 they changed to salt blue. The small parts were also blued. Prior to that the small parts were strawed. So with strawed parts the finish is early 37 rust blue.

Ron

Thanks for the posts guys. Finish is important to me,and I know rust blue is the better of the two (I"ve been told).
I"m not worried about getting burned by Simpson, I"ve bought from him before, a nice 98% finish AC Walther, and was very pleased.
This website has pointed me in the right direction with Luger collecting, the info in these posts is wonderful! Yes, I did get burned on my first Luger, but I sold it for almost the same price, then used the money to buy a new suit. Alls well that ends well.