Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeter4206
I have been just browsing the web looking at lugers for sale. All Krieghoff lugers have a pretty price for them. As I know nothing about these lugers, what makes these lugers so valuable.
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I can give you a longer answer but the short answer is: RARITY.
Mauser was making P.08s for the military from about 1934 until production stopped in 1942/3. They averaged about 10,000 pistols per month throughout this period. A million Lugers more or less in the Mauser Era.
Krieghoff made about 13,000 Lugers total including some Commercial variants from 1935 until production stopped in 1945.
Additionally, the fit and finish of the Krieghoffs is recognized as being superior to Mauser Military production, almost reaching commercial quality.
Finally, there is the survival rate. Krieghoff were issued to Air Defense, Bomber crews and Airborne troops. As you may know P.08s were too large for fighter pilots because of the small cockpits so not many P.08s found their way to the Luftwaffe per se but more to the ground or air capable services commanded by the Luftwaffe. BTW, Luftwaffe rather than Army inspectors controlled the quality of production and its acceptance. There are not many around.
The bottom line remains RARITY. But to me as a collector, in addition to being a superb War Gun, they are beautifully made.
Now to be clear. The P.08 lacks the proportion and shear beauty and balance of the DWM Model 1900s. But as far as P.08s are concerned, IMVHO, they represent the epitome of the art and science.
John