Wanting to buy a "Vickers"

Donald a.Wirth · 05-20-2004, 04:54 PM

I am looking to buy a "Vickers" Luger,the seller wants $3000.00, says it is not refinished, all matching, Good deal? I am new to the forum, thanks for all feed back.

Ron Wood · 05-20-2004, 06:14 PM

If indeed it has not been refinished and is in 95% or better original condition, that is a reasonably good deal. Because of the tropical conditions where the Vickers and DWM Lugers were employed, the Dutch routinely reworked, rebarreled and refinished their service pistols. If you look at the barrel, you may see a small date stamp indicating that the pistol was reworked and indicating the year it was last reworked. There may also be a small Ã¢??GSÃ¢?Â stamp indicating an arsenal rework.

Since this was a standard practice, like the Swiss Lugers that were also periodically maintained, this arsenal rework does not detract much from the value of a Dutch Luger. A period arsenal rework probably commands at least 90% of the value of an original factory finished piece in equivalent condition (until you get up to the 98+% original finish level, then the sky is the limit). Of course a modern Ã¢??BubbaÃ¢??s basementÃ¢?Â refinish knocks the value way down. The Luger you are considering, if a period arsenal rework in 95% or better condition with NO or very tiny pitting over a very small area (under the grip pitting is common and should be expected unless you are extremely lucky) is likely worth close to the asking price.

Vickers Lugers are probably the most difficult Dutch Lugers to acquire, particularly in factory original finish.

Pete Ebbink · 05-20-2004, 11:47 PM

Hi Don,

The folks at FGS have had a Vickers for sale for some time at $ 3250...it's been for sale for awhile...so might be priced a tad high...

Here is the web site link; last luger on the page :

http://www.fgsinc.8m.com/photo2.html

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Dwight Gruber · 05-21-2004, 03:19 AM

I'd want to pay about $500 less for a Vickers. I might not be a successful purchaser at that price.

--Dwight

George Anderson · 05-21-2004, 07:31 AM

Don, if it doesn't work out, I have a Vickers for sale at $3000 also.

Donald a.Wirth · 05-22-2004, 12:39 PM

Thanks so much for all your replies, I am still mulling over the gun, will try to make a decision soon, thanks again for all your help, this is a great site.

Pete Ebbink · 07-13-2004, 11:59 AM

Hello Don,

Did you make a decision on the Vickers ?

If you passed on it, LF member Doc Fisher might want the lead...he is looking for a nice one as well.

If you did buy it, let me know and I will swing by your shop to take a look at it...I'll call ahead...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Big Norm · 07-13-2004, 12:44 PM

FGS had two Vickers. One had a date on the barrel and one that did not. Both had original finish, but they were in pretty bad shape, as one would expect on a Dutch gun. I haven't looked at them for a while but I think they were in about the mid $3000.
Big Norm

05-20-2004, 04:54 PM	#1
Donald a.Wirth New User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oakley california Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wanting to buy a "Vickers" I am looking to buy a "Vickers" Luger,the seller wants $3000.00, says it is not refinished, all matching, Good deal? I am new to the forum, thanks for all feed back.

05-20-2004, 06:14 PM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,005 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 5,139 Times in 1,689 Posts	If indeed it has not been refinished and is in 95% or better original condition, that is a reasonably good deal. Because of the tropical conditions where the Vickers and DWM Lugers were employed, the Dutch routinely reworked, rebarreled and refinished their service pistols. If you look at the barrel, you may see a small date stamp indicating that the pistol was reworked and indicating the year it was last reworked. There may also be a small Ã¢??GSÃ¢?Â stamp indicating an arsenal rework. Since this was a standard practice, like the Swiss Lugers that were also periodically maintained, this arsenal rework does not detract much from the value of a Dutch Luger. A period arsenal rework probably commands at least 90% of the value of an original factory finished piece in equivalent condition (until you get up to the 98+% original finish level, then the sky is the limit). Of course a modern Ã¢??BubbaÃ¢??s basementÃ¢?Â refinish knocks the value way down. The Luger you are considering, if a period arsenal rework in 95% or better condition with NO or very tiny pitting over a very small area (under the grip pitting is common and should be expected unless you are extremely lucky) is likely worth close to the asking price. Vickers Lugers are probably the most difficult Dutch Lugers to acquire, particularly in factory original finish. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

05-20-2004, 11:47 PM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hi Don, The folks at FGS have had a Vickers for sale for some time at $ 3250...it's been for sale for awhile...so might be priced a tad high... Here is the web site link; last luger on the page : http://www.fgsinc.8m.com/photo2.html Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

05-21-2004, 03:19 AM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,893 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,288 Times in 426 Posts	I'd want to pay about $500 less for a Vickers. I might not be a successful purchaser at that price. --Dwight

05-21-2004, 07:31 AM	#5
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,528 Times in 787 Posts	Don, if it doesn't work out, I have a Vickers for sale at $3000 also.

05-22-2004, 12:39 PM	#6
Donald a.Wirth New User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oakley california Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks so much for all your replies, I am still mulling over the gun, will try to make a decision soon, thanks again for all your help, this is a great site.

07-13-2004, 11:59 AM	#7
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hello Don, Did you make a decision on the Vickers ? If you passed on it, LF member Doc Fisher might want the lead...he is looking for a nice one as well. If you did buy it, let me know and I will swing by your shop to take a look at it...I'll call ahead... Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

07-13-2004, 12:44 PM	#8
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	FGS had two Vickers. One had a date on the barrel and one that did not. Both had original finish, but they were in pretty bad shape, as one would expect on a Dutch gun. I haven't looked at them for a while but I think they were in about the mid $3000. Big Norm