What is a good luger reference book

Jpeeples · 12-26-2012, 09:14 AM

I am a new collector trying to learn about lugers. What is a good book to buy to provide information on luger identification, markings, manufacturers, operation, illustrations, assembly and disassembly, etc. Is "The Borchardt and Luger Automatic Pistols" a good book to buy. It is expensive. Thank you very much.

G.T. · 12-26-2012, 10:35 AM

The best books still, are some of the first books...

...."Lugers at Random" is a great book for the beginner, when there is so much to learn so quickly...WOL "World of Lugers" proof marks book is a must, and will provide a lifetime of information... All of Jan Stills books, and I'm sure others will chip in here with their thoughts... but those books are in the very front shelve of my little piece of heaven... Krieghoff Parabellum, also outstanding bit of work! Best to you, and welcome to a lifetime of Lugers... til....lat'r....GT

Vlim · 12-26-2012, 11:15 AM

There is no single 'good' luger book.

There are some general books which are good for entry level collectors. Most of these are dated, however, so any info must be taken with a pinch of salt here and there.

The Sturgess/Görtz book series is excellent material for the somewhat earlier history of the pistol.

'The Mauser Parabellum' discusses the 1930-1947 time frame in detail.
'The Parabellum Is Back!' handles the 1945-2000 time frame.
'The Krieghoff Parabellum', well that speaks for itself.
'The Dutch Luger' focuses on the Dutch navy and KNIL contracts.

Jan Still's books are excellent reference works on the overall history of the military contract pistols.

I like John Walters 'The Luger Pistol' and 'the Luger book'. Both were well researched in their days, but also contain their share of mistakes.

There are also a few good books on the Swiss Parabellum.

Edward Tinker · 12-26-2012, 01:00 PM

Read the 'stickies' at the top of each sub-forum

http://forum.lugerforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=133

you will find many threads with valid comments of many books

Some of the cheaper books are not the ones that I would want....

cotcrab · 01-17-2013, 10:17 PM

I'm new also. I just got Lugers at Random. Its very good. You won't be disappointed. I'm waiting on the Luger story by John Walter. The forums are good. Try talking to a Luger owner or dealer. You can get tips from them.

12-26-2012, 09:14 AM	#1
Jpeeples User Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What is a good luger reference book I am a new collector trying to learn about lugers. What is a good book to buy to provide information on luger identification, markings, manufacturers, operation, illustrations, assembly and disassembly, etc. Is "The Borchardt and Luger Automatic Pistols" a good book to buy. It is expensive. Thank you very much.

12-26-2012, 10:35 AM	#2
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,486 Thanks: 1,284 Thanked 3,583 Times in 989 Posts	good books... The best books still, are some of the first books... ...."Lugers at Random" is a great book for the beginner, when there is so much to learn so quickly...WOL "World of Lugers" proof marks book is a must, and will provide a lifetime of information... All of Jan Stills books, and I'm sure others will chip in here with their thoughts... but those books are in the very front shelve of my little piece of heaven... Krieghoff Parabellum, also outstanding bit of work! Best to you, and welcome to a lifetime of Lugers... til....lat'r....GT

12-26-2012, 01:00 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	Read the 'stickies' at the top of each sub-forum http://forum.lugerforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=133 you will find many threads with valid comments of many books Some of the cheaper books are not the ones that I would want.... __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

12-26-2012, 11:15 AM	#3
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,045 Thanks: 1,034 Thanked 3,939 Times in 1,196 Posts	There is no single 'good' luger book. There are some general books which are good for entry level collectors. Most of these are dated, however, so any info must be taken with a pinch of salt here and there. The Sturgess/Görtz book series is excellent material for the somewhat earlier history of the pistol. 'The Mauser Parabellum' discusses the 1930-1947 time frame in detail. 'The Parabellum Is Back!' handles the 1945-2000 time frame. 'The Krieghoff Parabellum', well that speaks for itself. 'The Dutch Luger' focuses on the Dutch navy and KNIL contracts. Jan Still's books are excellent reference works on the overall history of the military contract pistols. I like John Walters 'The Luger Pistol' and 'the Luger book'. Both were well researched in their days, but also contain their share of mistakes. There are also a few good books on the Swiss Parabellum.

01-17-2013, 10:17 PM	#5
cotcrab User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	I'm new also. I just got Lugers at Random. Its very good. You won't be disappointed. I'm waiting on the Luger story by John Walter. The forums are good. Try talking to a Luger owner or dealer. You can get tips from them.