Online auctions with horrid photos

[Tinplatejeff]

Can anybody tell what is being sold here?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=539169552

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=539171211

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=539177141

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=539190554

[sheepherder]

I can only speak for myself, but my monitor [IBM G96] shows everything dark, except Windows. Even my own pics need to be lightened before I can make out any details. Pics from this forum need lightening as well.

I downloaded & looked at the first pic of the first auction you showed. When lightened, that Mauser Luger doesn't look too bad. Markings are pretty clear. Ambient light, no flash. No pitting, no buffing, good sharp edges. Typical holster wear, grips might be repros. Grip screws look good (not buggered).

Trying to match your pic in your hand or on your monitor with Internet auction sites is pretty much an exercise in futility, IMO...

[Edward Tinker]

I have my screen brighter and can see them fairly well - but yes, many times, right click, save to desktop and then lighten and look at it larger on my paint.net program.

I am always amazed at the lack of description that folks use, jeez, just say what you see....

[Olle]

Those pictures are not all that great, but I have definitely seen worse. The good thing about bad photos is that nobody will place serious bids on the gun. I have taken chances on auctions like that, and have snagged some guns that just blew me away once I had received them and could see what they really looked like.

The Nambu T94 in the picture is one of those "gambles". It was relisted over and over again, together with horrible pictures that made it look like it was covered with surface rust. Bad lighting, wrong camera settings, I sure don't know how the guy managed to take such awful pictures. I contacted the seller, made a shameless offer and got it, and when I opened the box I found that the gun was near mint and even had a matching magazine. That's not to say that it always works, but it's pretty safe as long as you bid as per "worst case scenario".

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Olle

The Nambu T94 in the picture...was near mint and even had a matching magazine...

I bet John Sabato is eating his heart out with jealousy ...

[alvin]

His #9 is a K date (last one of the four). Bid on it. This one worth taking some risk. He did not specify return policy, asking him. If he has 3-day non-firing, the risk is low. Think this way: even you pay premium to reputable auction houses and reputable dealers, that's not risk-free either. Remote transaction involves risks, that's the nature.

#4 1937 S/42 is not bad either.

Book marked. Will see how they go. This seller looks being a "widow seller"....

[Tinplatejeff]

I've contacted him about the return policy, I'll post his response.

[alvin]

He/she probably inherited these guns. Since many modern pistols are selling in $500 range, he/she did a little bit local gun shop display research, could let them go $500 a piece. Of course, the higher the better. These pistols all looks same, seller could not tell the difference. The situation returns back to 1940s, who would care the difference among K, 1937, or byf back then. Same thing, same price. That's the logic. Collectors using telescopes searching "where is widow"... here she is.

The auction ending time selection is also very bad. 12:45pm Friday. Best ending time for gun selling is Sunday 8pm to 9pm, numerous sellers proved that. She obviously does not know that.

[Tinplatejeff]

If you click on "View feedback of this seller" on the auction site you will see he/she sold two Lugers back in August and got excellent feedback on those.

[alvin]

Originally Posted by Tinplatejeff

If you click on "View feedback of this seller" on the auction site you will see he/she sold two Lugers back in August and got excellent feedback on those.

Don't worry. My guess on this type of thing is 80% to 90% correct over the past Luger is not C96, but seller behavior should be same. Why collectors better sell guns themselves instead of leaving guns to relatives.. there is a background. A responsible collector should tell relatives the names of a few auction houses, but many did not.

[John Sabato]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

I bet John Sabato is eating his heart out with jealousy ...

an extremely fine example of what can be made with a mill file and a brace and bit...

They must have had the grips made in Germany by the same plant that made the byf Luger bakelite grips...

...and they certainly sourced the holster from Pakistan...

[Mac Cat]

Poor quality, dark photos.
(I have a good computer, but I had to use a photo editor to see the details)
No front frame view where full serial number is or under the barrel.

My only surprise was that each had a reserve of only $500.

That interested me. I don't think they are collector quality, but they look functional and complete.

#5 (Item # 539177141 ) was pretty heavily buffed out, probably to hide some kind of mis-match.

[Tinplatejeff]

I'm in the market for a shooter, so I'm tempted to bid on one of them. Maybe I can get one reasonable, but I suppose I've generated more competition for myself by posting the links here

[Olle]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

an extremely fine example of what can be made with a mill file and a brace and bit...

They must have had the grips made in Germany by the same plant that made the byf Luger bakelite grips...

...and they certainly sourced the holster from Pakistan...

John,

I can't see why you're trying so hard to hide your admiration for this marvel of engineering and quality manufacturing. Just buy one... you know you want one... it's perfectly ok... we won't make fun of you...

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Olle

John,

I can't see why you're trying so hard to hide your admiration for this marvel of engineering and quality manufacturing. Just buy one... you know you want one... it's perfectly ok... we won't make fun of you...

If I can buy a Warner Infallible and proudly show it off to visitors, then a Type 94 Nambu is nothing for John to be ashamed of...

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=29339

[alvin]

I thought I would get a S/42 or byf for shooting. Looks like that's not easy... The price is already out of widow range, I have to give up. The K currently at $1625 still has room, it's still cheap. But it will definitely go higher.

[Tinplatejeff]

I got out bid on the polished one, insane prices if you ask me.

[alvin]

Originally Posted by Tinplatejeff

I got out bid on the polished one, insane prices if you ask me.

polished one... You mean the "black widow" byf?

It's not polished. The blue is a little bit worn, but not bad. Currently, it's $1450... if you collect Luger and plan long-term play, you can still bid it a little bit higher...

I don't understand why many Luger collectors bidding on regular byf, 1937 S/42... supposedly, they should have common variations long time ago, and they should bid on that rare K that many collectors don't have. But ,,, God knows, probably bidding byf and 1937 for short term playing...

[Tinplatejeff]

#5 (Item #539177141), someone said it looks buffed out, can not see the toggle marking.

Final prices:

#3 (Item #539169552) byf 41 $1,075.42
#4 (Item #539171211) S/42 1937 $1,125.00
#5 (Item #539177141) ??? $1,450.00.
#9 (Item # 539177141) S/42 K $2,457.55

[alvin]

Originally Posted by Tinplatejeff

#5 (Item # 539177141 ), some one said it looks buffed out, can not see the toggle marking.

toggle marking is "byf".

If not winning, waiting next widow.