Lugers were never cheap...

railman44 · 07-24-2008, 12:36 PM

The picture is from a 1908 Sears catalog. Adjusting the price for inflation in 2007 dollars, the luger would sell for $537.58 today with no price rises other than inflation. It was more expensive than the S&W back in 1908...

John Sabato · 07-24-2008, 12:59 PM

I had a copy of the same catalog... Can you imagine, not only is the Luger expensive, but they want an additional $0.48 for the postage! Outrageous... no wonder sears is in financial trouble.

RGMCE · 07-24-2008, 04:59 PM

Mail was expensive (and untidy) because the prime-mover was fueled by oats. In 1908 Germany the mod.'06 .30 Luger sold for 80 marks and the imported .38 S&W for 86.5. Big mark up on both sides. Cheers!

alvin · 07-24-2008, 11:21 PM

I don't know how to measure the cost of making a gun. Today, making a gun using old forge + milling + hand matching + rust blue method.... $537 retail price? Sounds impossible.

railman44 · 07-25-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by alvin
I don't know how to measure the cost of making a gun. Today, making a gun using old forge + milling + hand matching + rust blue method.... $537 retail price? Sounds impossible.

The $537 is only an inflation figure. It doesn't take into consideration labor, material and high-tech machinery increases or costs we have today.

alvin · 07-25-2008, 03:00 PM

Years ago, I almost bought a NIB Mitchell Arms Parabellum-like stainless, probably under the influence of a book "9mm Handguns", the author's opinion on Mitchell was very high..... excellent steel, accurate, CNC made, etc, etc. If I remembered right, the dealer wanted $600. The only reason that I did not finally buy was because the seller refused to include the holster in that $600 deal and asked extra $30-$40. I bet NIB Mitchell is more than $600 now.

If I borrow Ron's signature.... that's a real "reproduction".

Aaron · 07-25-2008, 07:57 PM

Mitchell Arms Lugers never did achieve a good reputation, as they have always had many problems. You could probably buy one for less than $600 today. I sold my last one for $400 and it had three spare mags.

Vlim · 07-27-2008, 06:58 AM

My estimate: Building a luger today using high quality steel, a nice original style rust blue and German labour, a luger would cost between 10,000 and 15,000 USD.

This is pretty much in line with the price of the new Krieghoff Parabellum...

davidkachel · 07-30-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alvin
Years ago, I almost bought a NIB Mitchell Arms Parabellum-like stainless, probably under the influence of a book "9mm Handguns", the author's opinion on Mitchell was very high..... excellent steel, accurate, CNC made, etc, etc. If I remembered right, the dealer wanted $600. The only reason that I did not finally buy was because the seller refused to include the holster in that $600 deal and asked extra $30-$40. I bet NIB Mitchell is more than $600 now.

You'd lose that bet. The Mitchells are generally considered to be pieces of junk. I had the great misfortune to own one and couldn't unload it fast enough. I did however inform the buyer that it was a POS and he bought it anyway.

07-24-2008, 12:36 PM	#1
railman44 User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lincoln NE Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lugers were never cheap... The picture is from a 1908 Sears catalog. Adjusting the price for inflation in 2007 dollars, the luger would sell for $537.58 today with no price rises other than inflation. It was more expensive than the S&W back in 1908...

07-24-2008, 12:59 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	I had a copy of the same catalog... Can you imagine, not only is the Luger expensive, but they want an additional $0.48 for the postage! Outrageous... no wonder sears is in financial trouble. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

07-24-2008, 04:59 PM	#3
RGMCE User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mail was expensive (and untidy) because the prime-mover was fueled by oats. In 1908 Germany the mod.'06 .30 Luger sold for 80 marks and the imported .38 S&W for 86.5. Big mark up on both sides. Cheers!

07-24-2008, 11:21 PM	#4
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	I don't know how to measure the cost of making a gun. Today, making a gun using old forge + milling + hand matching + rust blue method.... $537 retail price? Sounds impossible.

07-25-2008, 03:00 PM	#6
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Years ago, I almost bought a NIB Mitchell Arms Parabellum-like stainless, probably under the influence of a book "9mm Handguns", the author's opinion on Mitchell was very high..... excellent steel, accurate, CNC made, etc, etc. If I remembered right, the dealer wanted $600. The only reason that I did not finally buy was because the seller refused to include the holster in that $600 deal and asked extra $30-$40. I bet NIB Mitchell is more than $600 now. If I borrow Ron's signature.... that's a real "reproduction".

07-25-2008, 07:57 PM	#7
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Mitchell Arms Lugers never did achieve a good reputation, as they have always had many problems. You could probably buy one for less than $600 today. I sold my last one for $400 and it had three spare mags.

07-27-2008, 06:58 AM	#8
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	My estimate: Building a luger today using high quality steel, a nice original style rust blue and German labour, a luger would cost between 10,000 and 15,000 USD. This is pretty much in line with the price of the new Krieghoff Parabellum...