Hey Zombie..!
Welcome!!! Wow - there is some great advice in this thread!!!
I'd also suggest having a "plan" for collecting? What that means is see as many Lugers as you can - gun shows, dealers, - even pictures in books or photo essays on this site - where ever.
I think from there - you'll focus on a variation or "theme". That is typically a personal preference - some folks enjoy early Lugers, some Swiss, some like "Imperial" Lugers (WW1), etc. etc. (By the way - some "themes are one of each!!!! Yikes!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> ) Having a "focus" will help you narrow your initial research in this field - and Lugers are a HUGE area of study, so focusing on a few - or even one variation - initially may make it easier to digest all the information. To be honest - I've been primarily focused on a very specific variation for over 15 years, and I'm still researching and learning.
Also - and perhaps as important......
Finding a local collector to you would be a huge benefit - and many collectors will take someone new under their wing, and offer advice and what to look for, how to judge a piece, etc. In some ways - this Forum does that for many of the Members - but there is nothing like a "hands on" and first hand experience with an experienced collector. As a side benefit, some of these collectors may pass on pieces they are upgrading to you, thereby lessing the risk that your first few pieces are incorrect - and if they are - you will know what's wrong with them BEFORE you buy them...
Anyway - welcome to the LugerForum!!! Enjoy your stay - and feel free to ask anything you'd like....
My Best,
John