Ralph E. Shattuck - World of Lugers

[ColtGeek]

As a new member this is my first post.
I know Ralph has been gone for 2 years now. I met him some years ago when he still lived in Michigan. I subscribed to his catalog for a while but could not afford purchase then.
His former web site appears to be inactive.

Can anyone shed light on the website or what happened to his
collection? I am now ready to "jump in" and purchase my first luger(s).

Any other recommended dealers'websites?

Thanks in advance.

[G.T.]

Let them know what you want, and they'll find it.... Tom Whiteman comes right to mind... George Anderson can fill you in on what you're looking for... He's one of the very top of the Luger food chain... Lots like that here... and every one of them great guys!.......Best to you, til...latr....GT Also, one of my personal favorites is Luger Doc, or Tom Heller... he has had most of this stuff thru his hands at one time or another... a walking Encyclopedia of Luger knowledge!...best to all, til...lat'r....GT

[mrerick]

I believe that members of this forum helped appraise the stock that Ralph had for his estate. I understand that much of that is in storage, and the intent is that it will be sold over a period of time. This is from second hand information. Others here probably have more details.

Watch the for sale listings on this site. Also consider some of the retail dealers that now list things on the web. Tom's site Legacy Collectables; Brad Simpson's Simpson Ltd; FGS Firearms; Checkpoint Charlies and I'm sure there are others. The ones I mentioned have good reputations in my opinion.

Consider posting a "wanted" ad here also...

Before buying from someone, also check this site to see buyer's experiences and evaluations of listings. There are some dealers with very good appearances (well photographed fakery) and very shabby business practices.

Marc

[Edward Tinker]

welcome to the forum

The 'inventory' of Ralph's was sold, the collection is in storage (1st hand knowledge)

Find out what era you are interested in, WW, Weimar, Nazi, and then either commercial, contract, army, navy or police


Ed

[ColtGeek]

Many Thanks to G.T., Mrerick and Ed Tinker for your info. Great leads for me to follow up.

[sheepherder]

I think that you will find (as I have) that your interest in Lugers will evolve/change as you acquire more...From your basic 'shooter' [mismatched, re-blued, defaced]; to a respectable 'collectible' [read: has flaws but attributable to age/wear] Luger; to a valued 'collectible' [little wear/use]...

There are degrees of each, and permissible defects/upgrades...And a hierarchy of value/desirability, or several, based on individual preferences...(Some mfg's are finely machined, others are rough hewn; etc)...

And there are the wildly exotic variations...

You probably won't know what you really want until you try a couple...and see what other people are collecting...

I've been wading in the shallow end for a couple years now...And now I'm sampling the deep end...cautiously; frugally; and choosing from the pieces that others are offering as they upgrade...

I don't expect to get rich 'collecting' Lugers (or any others), but if I choose carefully, I shouldn't lose my shirt either...

And in the end I'll have a top-grade collectible that I will show off at every opportunity...

(And then I'll die and my niece will sell everything for a couple hundred $$$)