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ithacaartist · 05-22-2012, 01:00 PM

I think I read here that Ralph Shattuck's estate basically liquidated the bulk, if not all, of his Lugers at auction. I can't recall the figure given, but there was large number, to say the least. (...also read that he liked to stock at least 1500 just for selling!) Up to now, I know he was considered a friend to some on the forum, and he definitely was man of Luger knowledge, acquired first-hand from many of the original personages involved with the Parabellum. But there are intimations that Ralph's selling behavior could have been, let's say, of a tad more polish in its Sterling. I mean to cast no aspersions on the departed, but simply wish to establish an accurate view of the man and his Luger activities. Sort of a biographical question...

Does anyone know what exactly happened with the Shattuck Lugers? The reason I'm asking is that I won two at RIAC last year, a 1906 AE and a 1917/1920 DWM, and was curious as to whether or not these had passed through Ralph's hands or shop. I've posted before about the refinsh jobs these have had, describing the evidence of their having been blasted by some medium. This dates the refinsh to no earlier than when blasting technology came into use in firearm refinishing. So, this may or may not account for enough time, very generally, to establish the wear displayed by the pistols, particularly on the DWM. I've heard that holster wear can be simulated by buffing a Luger with a leather belt to thin the finish on the high spots and edges. To what extent is this practice used? (I can already guess only by what kind of seller; I'm without the knowledge to "pin" such tendencies on anyone in particular, with only one exception that I would disrecommend.)

Purchasing at auction leaves me empty in one respect. My acquisitions so far have no provenance/story behind them, save for what their configuration/condition might hint at. I think I stand with others who want to know more about their pistols' origins and histories, regardless of what it was. This of course won't affect the status of shooters like mine as collectible, but it would be nice to know.

With the passing of Ralph's beloved wife, I felt a loss because though she may have had little to do with the collecting community on a basis other than personal, she was close to one of the charter class--if not one of the Luger University founders. We survivors are just that much farther away from the source, though it would seem that Ralph Shattuck's legacy, reputation, and legend will continue.

DP

05-22-2012, 01:00 PM	#1
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,369 Thanks: 7,432 Thanked 2,611 Times in 1,378 Posts	Shattuck Lugers I think I read here that Ralph Shattuck's estate basically liquidated the bulk, if not all, of his Lugers at auction. I can't recall the figure given, but there was large number, to say the least. (...also read that he liked to stock at least 1500 just for selling!) Up to now, I know he was considered a friend to some on the forum, and he definitely was man of Luger knowledge, acquired first-hand from many of the original personages involved with the Parabellum. But there are intimations that Ralph's selling behavior could have been, let's say, of a tad more polish in its Sterling. I mean to cast no aspersions on the departed, but simply wish to establish an accurate view of the man and his Luger activities. Sort of a biographical question... Does anyone know what exactly happened with the Shattuck Lugers? The reason I'm asking is that I won two at RIAC last year, a 1906 AE and a 1917/1920 DWM, and was curious as to whether or not these had passed through Ralph's hands or shop. I've posted before about the refinsh jobs these have had, describing the evidence of their having been blasted by some medium. This dates the refinsh to no earlier than when blasting technology came into use in firearm refinishing. So, this may or may not account for enough time, very generally, to establish the wear displayed by the pistols, particularly on the DWM. I've heard that holster wear can be simulated by buffing a Luger with a leather belt to thin the finish on the high spots and edges. To what extent is this practice used? (I can already guess only by what kind of seller; I'm without the knowledge to "pin" such tendencies on anyone in particular, with only one exception that I would disrecommend.) Purchasing at auction leaves me empty in one respect. My acquisitions so far have no provenance/story behind them, save for what their configuration/condition might hint at. I think I stand with others who want to know more about their pistols' origins and histories, regardless of what it was. This of course won't affect the status of shooters like mine as collectible, but it would be nice to know. With the passing of Ralph's beloved wife, I felt a loss because though she may have had little to do with the collecting community on a basis other than personal, she was close to one of the charter class--if not one of the Luger University founders. We survivors are just that much farther away from the source, though it would seem that Ralph Shattuck's legacy, reputation, and legend will continue. DP