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mrerick · 08-17-2010, 09:44 AM

Actually, I think that the Mauser produced Lugers made in Oberndorf retained their quality through the end of formal production in 1942. After that, the German army shifted to the P-38.

There were some Lugers assembled from parts after the war. Those can be unusual and missing proofs, etc... The quality on those might not be up to one accepted by the Army.

You may also find guns that were reprocessed by the East Germans after the war. These often have import stamps added by US importers. They should be less expensive, and were originally brought into the states in the $400 range. Often these have mixed parts that were force matched, and an unusual finish. They are becoming a specific area of collecting.

I have a 1942 Mauser made Luger that is superbly fitted. It was a refinished all matching gun that I bought for about the estimate I shared with you. It later turned out that it is a very rare variation. About 50 known.

Since it was refinished, the collectors were quite a bit less interested in it, and the price was what I could afford.

I bought this through an ad here from a seller in Tennessee.

I have also gotten a Luger through a dealer in this area that keeps an eye out for them. That was a face to face sale. He's in Charlotte, NC.

Sometimes you'll find something reasonable at a gun show, but this is becoming increasingly rare. I looked at one that was at least 50% overpriced, mismatched, and bad finish a few months ago. The dealer asked me what I thought it was worth, and I told him. Next show, he gloated about selling it for his asking price... So... Either I was wrong, or the dealer was lucky.

It's easy to make a mistake since it's hard to develop judgment about things like finish from photographs. You really have to be able to take the time to inspect actual guns.

Luger collectors like, value and pay for:

- Originality - as it left the factory
- Scarcity of variations (based upon original markings)
- History

And always... pay for the gun, not the story!

CheckpointCharlies.com is said to be a reliable dealer out of Wisconsin. I have not dealt with them.

fgsfirearms.com has some listed online.

simpsonsltd.com you already know about.

I think Sarcoinc.com gets Lugers periodically.

Marc

08-17-2010, 09:44 AM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Actually, I think that the Mauser produced Lugers made in Oberndorf retained their quality through the end of formal production in 1942. After that, the German army shifted to the P-38. There were some Lugers assembled from parts after the war. Those can be unusual and missing proofs, etc... The quality on those might not be up to one accepted by the Army. You may also find guns that were reprocessed by the East Germans after the war. These often have import stamps added by US importers. They should be less expensive, and were originally brought into the states in the $400 range. Often these have mixed parts that were force matched, and an unusual finish. They are becoming a specific area of collecting. I have a 1942 Mauser made Luger that is superbly fitted. It was a refinished all matching gun that I bought for about the estimate I shared with you. It later turned out that it is a very rare variation. About 50 known. Since it was refinished, the collectors were quite a bit less interested in it, and the price was what I could afford. I bought this through an ad here from a seller in Tennessee. I have also gotten a Luger through a dealer in this area that keeps an eye out for them. That was a face to face sale. He's in Charlotte, NC. Sometimes you'll find something reasonable at a gun show, but this is becoming increasingly rare. I looked at one that was at least 50% overpriced, mismatched, and bad finish a few months ago. The dealer asked me what I thought it was worth, and I told him. Next show, he gloated about selling it for his asking price... So... Either I was wrong, or the dealer was lucky. It's easy to make a mistake since it's hard to develop judgment about things like finish from photographs. You really have to be able to take the time to inspect actual guns. Luger collectors like, value and pay for: - Originality - as it left the factory - Scarcity of variations (based upon original markings) - History And always... pay for the gun, not the story! CheckpointCharlies.com is said to be a reliable dealer out of Wisconsin. I have not dealt with them. fgsfirearms.com has some listed online. simpsonsltd.com you already know about. I think Sarcoinc.com gets Lugers periodically. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.