[mrerick]

As with all firearm purchases, the basis of your decision is the purpose you're buying for.

Do you want one to collect? Do you want one to shoot?

If these are high condition in their original finish, and have all original matching parts, they should be conserved as collectibles. They are more valuable (financially and historically) than Lugers that have been refinished or that have mixed numbered parts. Mixed part and refinished Lugers are for shooting. If you want one to shoot, look for one for that purpose.

If you want to collect them, settle on an era (WW-I Imperial, Weimar, WW-II) that you're interested in, and buy that one.

If you're being given one, and don't care about the era, take the Swiss. They are quite interesting, and they have the grip safety mechanism that the others don't.

Marc