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03-27-2002, 02:07 PM

The above post all on target IMO, but you (we) should also relize that this problem in not confined to Lugers or even the most abused in Luger dealings, everything of value is being expertly faked and it doesn't seem to be keeping prices or interest down. What it comes down to is really knowing what your doing and not relying on reputations alone as often the dealers are fooled themselves. For example I have handled and examined hundreds of Lugers over the last 30 years, while this experience gives me some confidence in judging basic military models, I would not dream of buying (unless truthfully out of the woodwork) a high end rare variation without extensive additional research that included confering with collectors of that variation and handleing examples..etc...befor going out to purchase one. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!

What seem to me to be happening in most all fields of collecting is that a person will get some reference books (maybe even not!) and have a lot of cash and maybe a couple of years of being around the hobby. At that point they think that they are ready to lay out several thousand dollars on some fantastic example that they are not ready for (in knowledge). Sure sign of this is when they have to start asking for a bunch of second opinions and the rest is always history. PS take a look at Confederate firearms and belt plates or WWII militaria....by comparison, Lugers are fairly safe!

03-27-2002, 02:07 PM	#11
BCC Guest Posts: n/a	Consider This The above post all on target IMO, but you (we) should also relize that this problem in not confined to Lugers or even the most abused in Luger dealings, everything of value is being expertly faked and it doesn't seem to be keeping prices or interest down. What it comes down to is really knowing what your doing and not relying on reputations alone as often the dealers are fooled themselves. For example I have handled and examined hundreds of Lugers over the last 30 years, while this experience gives me some confidence in judging basic military models, I would not dream of buying (unless truthfully out of the woodwork) a high end rare variation without extensive additional research that included confering with collectors of that variation and handleing examples..etc...befor going out to purchase one. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing! What seem to me to be happening in most all fields of collecting is that a person will get some reference books (maybe even not!) and have a lot of cash and maybe a couple of years of being around the hobby. At that point they think that they are ready to lay out several thousand dollars on some fantastic example that they are not ready for (in knowledge). Sure sign of this is when they have to start asking for a bunch of second opinions and the rest is always history. PS take a look at Confederate firearms and belt plates or WWII militaria....by comparison, Lugers are fairly safe!