Large manual in blue cover

[LU1900]

.........

[John Sabato]

I know it won't be inexpensive Pat... I have never seen one printed in French before! Nice find!

[Ron Wood]

Man! I would love to have that manual to go with my 1903 French!

[Navy]

I saw one of these change hands about 2-3 years ago..it went for $2500

Tom A

[Ron Wood]

Ouch!

[Imperial Arms]

Actually these early DWM manuals (including the one in French language) were available for M1900/02 Lugers, as well as the M1906 French Commercial even if the toggles are shown dished in these early manuals. The similar manual in German language (Green cover) has no golden boarders.

In my opinion, the value of these manuals are about Euros 700 or $950. Whoever paid $2,500 for a similar manual definitely got ripped off. During my travels in Europe (including France) in the past few years, I had the opportunity to buy three of these French manuals from different collectors. However, I was searching for one in German or English language. I was offered one in German, but one page was missing in the manual and I decided not to buy it.

Albert

[Ron Wood]

Well now, that's more like it! Maybe I will eventually be able to get one after all. Thanks for the input Albert.

[mauro]

Hi Pat,
Really nice find!!
Please try to find for me the other French manual made in 1950 for the French Army. As you know I am really interested on it

I call you next week as soon as I am back from my vacation...

Cheers,
Mauro

[Edward Tinker]

I am just thinking out loud, but I think you have to add 50% for resale in the USA. Seriously, possibly 75% for larger items. I am thinking of the guys who buy antiques in europe, for resale in the USA, as you would add 50-75% to items that just can't be found in america.

So, although there might be assorted ones in europe, the comparassion might be, how many have folks seen in the USA? I am thinking of the comparative rareness of things like Finn, Porteguese (sp), Persian Lugers, etc in the past, and as more came into the USA, their value dropped.

If someone found 5 or 10 of them and sold them in the USA, I would expect the cost would go down, or possibly up as more folks could get excited about them

Ed

[Imperial Arms]

With the growing use and exposure to the Internet, many European collectors are now trying to fetch similar prices of their collector items which have previously sold in the US through some auction houses. Everything has a realistic market value, however, there are some 'idiots' out there with loaded pockets of cash who are buying collector items without knowing their actual value, or whether the item is correct or has been restored - maybe these individuals do not mind paying 75% over and above the market value without realizing also that the USD has lost 35% against the Euro. Eventually, these fools may regret their mistakes, and such unfortunate situations are occurring right now. I have four manuals in my archive that are worth between $1,500 - $2,000 which are rarer than a early DWM manual and I wonder if they will double or triple in value in the next five years or so - $4,000+ for a manual? Jesus!! An average collector will never have a chance to own such an expensive item unless he is extremely lucky to find this item at a flea market for a cheap price.

Some rich collectors are very emotional and they throw money down on a table without blinking an eye - they buy with their eyes and get all excited over some details such as a marking, color, shape, or the type of material used for a part. Do not misunderstand me, but I do not consider some wealthy individuals as expert collectors because they do not invest time to gain knowledge - they believe that money buys them everything including knowledge - wrong. When prices of certain items go ballistic, it is usually a short-term peak/spike in the economy/market, and most likely prices will return to normal after those buyers realize their mistakes and later try to sell the same items on the market.

It is a good feeling to obtain the highest price of an item, but this 'game' always has two sides. It is important to be wise and not have false expectations.

Good luck and enjoy,
Albert

[cirelaw]

Hi ERIC, I own a 1906 Frenh Armes luger, And notice that Tom at 'phoenixinvestmentarms.com. has another 1906 french luger for sale, But I couldnt dream paying one half the price of the Luger for a French Manual, It really doesnt change anything, Albert as alwars has good advice.

[cirelaw]

etric, 'THE LAND OF BORCHARD' contains copies or all early luger manuals, in different languages, a facinating site, save your pennies

[Ron Wood]

"The Land of Borchardt" is a fantastic collection representing many thousands of dollars and a lot of dedication and research by Mike. Here is one I don't think he has yet...but given enough time he probably will get a representative example of the Luger and manual one day.

[Ron Smith]

Ron,

Purty Cool!!! You're making my jaws ache.

Ron

[MFC]

Hi Ron,
Very nice! Nearly impossible to find.
How many known examples are there of these?
While your at it, can you tell us at which flea market you found it?
Mike C.

[Imperial Arms]

Ron, that's one hell of a combo, and your Russian is in great condition!

Congrats,
Albert

[cirelaw]

Was a guide supplied with the 1900 test luger?

[the gunman]

Ron what a wonderful treasure that is. Just great looking at the photo

[Ron Wood]

Thank you gentlemen. This is one of the prizes of my collection.

Mike,
The Luger came out of a bar in New Jersey where it had been used to pay a rather large overdue bar tab sometime in the '50s. I do not know how many examples there are still around, but I suspect less than a dozen originals with probably just as many fakes. The manual came out of St. Petersburg, Russia, and is the only example in a collection that I have heard of so far.

Eric,
I am not aware of any specific guide provided with the 1900 Test Luger. I would think that if any were provided, they would have been the same as any contemporary 1900 Commercial manual.

[cirelaw]

ERIC, ESQ, I own a 1906 french d'arms luger, serial number #51872, and Ive searched, high and low for a french manual, contact me if you have one, just gathering dust!! 'snookem13@aol.com