Import markings?

Edward Tinker · 04-01-2017, 05:39 PM

Eric asked me to post this, since I can type 12 words a minute

We've had comments and a thread or two, but lets talk it out for Eric - He says he will post less Florida pictures when the rest of us have snow

Question is - how much does import markings affect you in buying?

Bill_in_VA · 04-01-2017, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

[...] Question is - how much does import markings affect you in buying?

For me, unless it was some super rare/prototype/GL's or Hitler's personal Luger, etc. an import mark puts it straight into the shooter category.

Leather Neck · 04-01-2017, 11:40 PM

I agree with Bill. Although it should be noted that I don't intend to acquire any "collectable" Lugers at this point in my life. Anything I buy is getting shot.

Major Tom · 04-02-2017, 05:49 AM

I especially dislike "CIA" import stampings. Mainly because the one I've seen are 'huge' compared to the "Made in Germany" stampings. My 1920 commercial has the 'made in germany stamp, but it is very faint.

rhuff · 04-02-2017, 04:37 PM

I am no longer a collector of any guns, and am a regular shooter. An import marked Luger that is reliable is not a problem for me.

cirelaw · 04-02-2017, 05:30 PM

Can we assume all our unaltered lugers were imported before the law was enacted?? 1968?

wlyon · 04-02-2017, 09:21 PM

I am a collector so would avoid modern import marks. They are not part of the firearms history but are a stupid law requirement. If it was hard to find and I needed to fill a slot maybe, just maybe. Bill

snipershot1944 · 04-03-2017, 04:44 PM

No import markings for me, with one sole exception. Post WWII Walthers, used only as shooters can have an Interarms logo, as that marking was applied by the factory, when the pistol was first sold. It's even under the original finish. but on collector guns, no way.

cirelaw · 01-07-2018, 01:53 PM

Its like my ex-wives bad tatoo!

Rick W. · 01-08-2018, 11:51 AM

At least the import mark is an honest mark, easy to tell for all; that is what it is. Not much guessing or wool with it.

cirelaw · 01-08-2018, 12:14 PM

One exception, the 'GERMANY' is hidden inside the tang although all other 1920s are on the outside right above the take down lever!

cirelaw · 01-08-2018, 01:00 PM

Here is another~ https://www.ammoland.com/2013/10/gun...#axzz53cHQblGd

cirelaw · 01-08-2018, 01:12 PM

Only 6 pictures~

Dick Herman · 01-08-2018, 02:21 PM

The “Germany” marking is the country of origin required for all imported items. In my opinion, this mark adds historical value to my Lugers. The “Germany” marking is not the same as an “import mark”
There are many Lugers we collect that would not be on the US market without “import marks” because of the scarcity or time released from their country’s arsenals.
Here are just a few importers that have allowed us to expand our collections; Odin brought the Siamese Lugers, CIA brought in Finnish Lugers and Simpson has brought in many very rare and exotic Lugers.
We all have our standards for building our collections, I recognize and appreciate the service that the importer have provided to allow me to build my collection.
Yes, I proudly own “import marked” pistols.

Schupo · 01-09-2018, 11:17 AM

I agree with Dick. Import markings are part of the history of the firearm. If one only collects factory fresh pistols that were never issued, never officially refurbished, never sold off as surplus, etc. a collector is very limited in their field of collecting. Collectors will pay a premium for provenance. Well, property markings, inspector markings, bring-back papers, factory letters, and import markings are part of the provenance of the weapon. They may not be very pretty at times but neither are the hulking big property markings found on the German Police firearms that I collect.

George

Sergio Natali · 01-09-2018, 11:53 AM

As an "extra small"

collector I could do without import markings, as well as proofs marks, unfortunaterly as Dick above said they are often legally required.
I think practically all my firearms somehow bear some proof or import mark like the ones pictured below.

cirelaw · 01-09-2018, 12:37 PM

I own 21 lugers, none with any import markings. Am I to assume each was imported in the US before the law went into effect? Can I sell them without the stupid marking?

View Poll Results: Would you buy an import marked pistol?
Yes, I'll buy anything	12	23.53%
Yes, but only to further my collection	13	25.49%
Yes, but only as a placeholder and then sell it	2	3.92%
Yes, but only as a shooter	17	33.33%
Never	7	13.73%
Voters: 51. You may not vote on this poll

04-01-2017, 05:39 PM	#1
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	Import markings? Eric asked me to post this, since I can type 12 words a minute We've had comments and a thread or two, but lets talk it out for Eric - He says he will post less Florida pictures when the rest of us have snow Question is - how much does import markings affect you in buying?

04-01-2017, 11:40 PM	#3
Leather Neck User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Maryland Posts: 33 Thanks: 31 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	I agree with Bill. Although it should be noted that I don't intend to acquire any "collectable" Lugers at this point in my life. Anything I buy is getting shot. __________________ Semper Fidelis

04-02-2017, 05:49 AM	#4
Major Tom User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: S.E. Iowa Posts: 483 Thanks: 533 Thanked 227 Times in 124 Posts	I especially dislike "CIA" import stampings. Mainly because the one I've seen are 'huge' compared to the "Made in Germany" stampings. My 1920 commercial has the 'made in germany stamp, but it is very faint. __________________ I Build Custom Pistol Boxes

04-02-2017, 09:21 PM	#7
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,627 Thanks: 3,166 Thanked 2,547 Times in 951 Posts	I am a collector so would avoid modern import marks. They are not part of the firearms history but are a stupid law requirement. If it was hard to find and I needed to fill a slot maybe, just maybe. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

04-02-2017, 04:37 PM	#5
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,288 Thanks: 2,702 Thanked 971 Times in 716 Posts	I am no longer a collector of any guns, and am a regular shooter. An import marked Luger that is reliable is not a problem for me.

04-02-2017, 05:30 PM	#6
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Can we assume all our unaltered lugers were imported before the law was enacted?? 1968?

04-03-2017, 04:44 PM	#8
snipershot1944 User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Virginia, part of the occupied Confederacy Posts: 299 Thanks: 15 Thanked 33 Times in 24 Posts	No import markings for me, with one sole exception. Post WWII Walthers, used only as shooters can have an Interarms logo, as that marking was applied by the factory, when the pistol was first sold. It's even under the original finish. but on collector guns, no way.

01-07-2018, 01:53 PM	#9
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Its like my ex-wives bad tatoo!

01-08-2018, 11:51 AM	#10
Rick W. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 339 Thanks: 81 Thanked 359 Times in 198 Posts	At least the import mark is an honest mark, easy to tell for all; that is what it is. Not much guessing or wool with it.

01-08-2018, 12:14 PM	#11
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	One exception, the 'GERMANY' is hidden inside the tang although all other 1920s are on the outside right above the take down lever! Attached Thumbnails

01-08-2018, 01:00 PM	#12
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Here is another~ https://www.ammoland.com/2013/10/gun...#axzz53cHQblGd Attached Thumbnails

01-08-2018, 01:12 PM	#13
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Only 6 pictures~

01-08-2018, 02:21 PM	#14
Dick Herman User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 302 Thanks: 496 Thanked 354 Times in 138 Posts	The “Germany” marking is the country of origin required for all imported items. In my opinion, this mark adds historical value to my Lugers. The “Germany” marking is not the same as an “import mark” There are many Lugers we collect that would not be on the US market without “import marks” because of the scarcity or time released from their country’s arsenals. Here are just a few importers that have allowed us to expand our collections; Odin brought the Siamese Lugers, CIA brought in Finnish Lugers and Simpson has brought in many very rare and exotic Lugers. We all have our standards for building our collections, I recognize and appreciate the service that the importer have provided to allow me to build my collection. Yes, I proudly own “import marked” pistols.

01-09-2018, 11:17 AM	#15
Schupo User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kansas City Metro Posts: 206 Thanks: 1 Thanked 102 Times in 47 Posts	I agree with Dick. Import markings are part of the history of the firearm. If one only collects factory fresh pistols that were never issued, never officially refurbished, never sold off as surplus, etc. a collector is very limited in their field of collecting. Collectors will pay a premium for provenance. Well, property markings, inspector markings, bring-back papers, factory letters, and import markings are part of the provenance of the weapon. They may not be very pretty at times but neither are the hulking big property markings found on the German Police firearms that I collect. George __________________ "You can't please everyone, so you have got to please yourself." Ricky Nelson

01-09-2018, 11:53 AM	#16
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	As an "extra small" collector I could do without import markings, as well as proofs marks, unfortunaterly as Dick above said they are often legally required. I think practically all my firearms somehow bear some proof or import mark like the ones pictured below. Attached Images __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

01-09-2018, 12:37 PM	#17
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	I own 21 lugers, none with any import markings. Am I to assume each was imported in the US before the law went into effect? Can I sell them without the stupid marking?