Today I met with my 86-year-old friend who landed at Normandy, fought at the Battle of the Buldge, and is mentioned by name the book "The Longest Day." Incidently, he still manages his own business - working every day!
I asked him about the relative value of trophy handguns during the war and he said "that by far Lugers were the most prized handgun trophy" He mentioned that they were appreciated at that time for their quality and the amount of craftsmanship that went into their manufacture. He said that even though German officers were more likely to have P38s, they were considered inferrior trophys because they were "stamped" out" and not as finely made as a Luger.
He referred to the reputation that the Lugers had from older vets that had acquired them in WWI. He said that an older WWI Luger in excellent condition was more desireable than a newer one (nazi produced era guns) and that appreciation for different variations was already underway.
Mike
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