Books like that from Gun Digest are fine for popular consumption. Thankfully, much more comprehensive work has been done by Geoff Sturgess and others.
This forum even offers an excellent reference document in our FAQ.
The generosity of members here often answers questions for new people interested in Lugers, but there is no substitute for "Luger University". Do you need to earn your "degree"? No. You can pay reputable dealers to do the work for you - but finding those involves trusting reputation, and there are well known dealers that are actually not particularly trustworthy. I've seen some of their "gems"...
A site like this one will probably elicit reliable advice and opinions. Why? Because members here have nothing to gain financially by answering questions. We often cause some soul searching and even incredulity when we have to share bad news, but sometimes we help a new Luger owner recognize both gold and history in their hands...
Buy the books, then buy the guns. Find the comprehensive books. They are expensive, but worth every penny.
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 Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum -
- Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.
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