Greetings Gentlemen,
Thank you for the insightful perspectives.... I appreciate all input even if it muddies up the waters of my mind even further.
Tom, though I am about to derail your ideas insofar as my situation is concerned, I completely agree with the premise you posted and that has been echoed by others here. It really IS condition that makes a difference, not only in value generally, but also in pride of ownership.
I know this first hand because the first M1 I got (the one I made the M1 Garand Website using) was pretty rough.. though I love it and would not sell it (chiefly because I did SO much with it in making the photos and such) it does not have nearly as much of the 'cool' factor that a SUPER condition all original M1 has that was part of what I got for helping the CMP out with their site.
SADLY However, real life comes into play... The 600 dollar figure for a Luger is pretty well hard coded for me - at least for the next couple of years... In fact it is a little bit of a stretch :-) My wife and I talked this over and when we complete the website we are currently working on, we'll have the money to do this, but no more for a while. <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />
I DO want to shoot it and I DO want to learn about it so getting a lesser condition piece NOW rather than waiting 2 years or more to get my first Luger is probably a better compromise.
Of course, maybe I'll get really lucky and some Luger dealer will want us to build him a website and pay me in Lugers.. but the chances are probably better that I'll trip over a bag of gold nuggets when I leave work Monday.
In any case, you are completely right in what you say, but I really do not want to wait for 2 years to get a Luger...
Hmmmm then again, maybe I could just feed one of the kids only once a week and... <img border="0" alt="[icon501]" title="" src="graemlins/icon501.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[nono]" title="" src="graemlins/nono.gif" />
Okay okay I guess the wife vetoed THAT idea...
Well anyhow... you guys are completely right but my situation is something of an exception. And in truth I love the kids enough to go Luger hungry myself for eternity if needed
I am also quite fine with purchase from either a dealer or an individual or a collector. I am puchasing the 'gun' not the story or the seller's credentials. I ahve met several great people in the gun biz and several rats. They represent both dealers and collectors.
Most appreciate the thoughtful responses.
Charles - still looking!
PS: policeluger - send the photo to me if you like and I'll temporarily house it on memorableplaces.com and post it here for you.