Hello Charles,
Since your first luger is desired to be a WWII military luger, you might want to consider spending about $ 60.00 on Jan C. Still's book, titled "Third Reich Lugers & Ther Accessories". This can be purchased directly from the author at :
http://www.stillsbooks.com/
Used ones can be found at gun shows and arms book stores, sometimes for a bit less.
Books are great, but for developing the skill of spotting faked/boosted/forged pieces...as others have stated; go to gun shops, gun shows, auction preview days, etc. to get to see as many lugers in your hands as you can. Once you begin to see enough "factory original" finished lugers in your hands for yourself, some of the refinished pieces become more apparent and easier to spot. (This is not to say that even the experts can still be challendged with an expertly and spuriously refinsihed gun...done by a skilled, master refinisher). If you can find a more advanced luger collector near your home to help you "navigate" through a beginner's learning cycle; that is a good idea as well.
The Greg Martin auction house folks will have some preview days in early December 2003(not too far from your hometown). They will have over 10-15 lugers on display. Admission is free and you are allowed to pick up lugers from the tables to look them over. If you ask, I think the auction staff will take-down a piece for you, as well...
Here is the auction link :
http://www.gmartin-auctions.com
Regards,
Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />