[mrerick]

Start out with a shooter priced Luger (that actually functions properly) and spend money on some of the more current and complete reference books first... That is the deluxe version of "Luger University".

There is much to study, know, observe, analyze and judge when it comes to buying a collectible Luger pistol. You can have luck and get a good or average buy... but you can also not have luck and get taken by someone misrepresenting a Luger as something that it is not. There are so many variations, markings and collector demand interests that it's something of a minefield if you don't have the studying commitment

You can always buy from a trusted dealer, and pay their overhead markup. But... not all online dealers should be trusted. There are even some that constantly rise from the grave after lawsuits and that have been in business many years that specialize in fakes.