Quality or Quantity, that is the Question.

Shearwater6 · 09-24-2013, 12:36 AM

Am new to collecting and sort of want to get my favourite pistols into my safe ASAP. Currently have a nb matching 1915 DWM luger and a 65 Walther PPK, both nice condition pistols. Am currently eyeing up two separate P-38's and a Colt 1911 plus a SW .38 victory. The P38s plus the 1911 are WWII non numbers matching warhorses, abit rough and definantly shooters but are in my price range to own them both.
But recently have come across a mint 1938 Walther PP which is a beautiful condition old girl but alone is the same price as both the shooters!!? Hadn't planned on owning a PP but this one is in such good condition! Am on a limited budget. What to do, what to do......

Sergio Natali · 09-24-2013, 07:05 AM

Many of us collectors at the start have asked this same question, "what to collect?"
I can say that I started many years ago with Colt 1911 and K98K, then slowly I sold all my 1911 first, then all the K98K and started to collect Colt Pythons and I bought some crummy LUGERS just for experience and started to learn from them.
What kind of Lugers would be the most interesting to collect? I wouldn't be able to suggest you anything, it's a matter of personal choice. As far as Lugers are concerned at the moment I've only got a very small collection of 14 Lugers, few but nice, my favourite ones are 1900, after all the first Lugers, made in 1900, were made for Switzerland, and immediately after for the USA... but I love 1908 too, I think they made more than 40 different versions of the P.08 so after all it's only a matter of taste ... and money.

CJS57 · 09-24-2013, 07:13 AM

Collect on the quality side of the equation. Sell the 2 to get the 1.

Norme · 09-24-2013, 07:16 AM

Hi Tim, In my opinion you will get more long term satisfaction out of owning one superb gun, than three with issues.
Regards, Norm

alvin · 09-24-2013, 08:10 AM

From future selling point of view, quantity items (lower value) are easier to sell. Quality item (higher value) is lovely, but the potential buyer circle is smaller. Higher the value, smaller the circle, longer waiting.

cirelaw · 09-24-2013, 08:27 AM

'Buy the best you will never regret the rest'!! me

alanint · 09-24-2013, 10:21 AM

I'd have to agree with Norm and Eric. I often see guys arrive at the range with a themed collection, (say, major WW2 issue pistols), but they are all ragged rats. In their mind, they have a "representative example" of each WW2 issue pistol, but I personally would have invested that money in one or two really nice examples of a favorite versus a whole lot of rust and pitting.

cirelaw · 09-24-2013, 10:48 AM

Good Point! Another factor is when one trys to sell it! If the luger is either mismatched or like the thousand others it will have little value or appeal for years to come. Something has to be unique to set it apart among thousand others. Unit marking and everything being correct sets it apart! Half of the excitement is tracing its history. At time of sale you need an edge to get a second look. Something special to that gun!! Without such provence it better be really sweet! Alvin there are high end buyers who demand quality and will pay for the same. Recent Auction results show lugers are a continued hot item and good investment!! Legacy Collectables is a fine example and is part of the family. Its a good start for luger window shopping. In my past I made the mistake of having 2 ex-wives and buying silver at $37 now $21! Ouch! Nice correct lugers NEVER go down!

Arizona Slim · 09-24-2013, 11:51 AM

In all the hobbies that I have been in that involved collecting of something i.e. coins, paper money or whatever, the advice from the more knowledgeable, experienced collectors has always been the same "Buy the best that you can afford". Hope this helps.

Lon

Edward Tinker · 09-24-2013, 01:56 PM

Although I can appreciate a well used and real gun, given the choice between paying a bit more for one in excellent shape and one in so-so shape, pay the extra!

what is a nb ???

cirelaw · 09-24-2013, 02:46 PM

It amazes me back in 1969 we had 'Lugers at Random' over 40 years ago containing over 100 variations!!! These were known by Charles Kenyan in 1969 to exist!! Almost a half a century later I think we need a volume two or at they very least an updated inventory and a few corrections! His concept is good but really needs an updating! I do thank Ed and the few others who stepped in to the shoes of our past to not only publish but corrrect our facination with our favorite gun!! An honor to hold and own piece of our history and that we may some day pass down and realize their significance! For now we are the keepers with is a rare status!!

Shearwater6 · 09-24-2013, 03:48 PM

Well I bought the PP!
Will post pictures when it arrives.
Thanks to all for the advice.

09-24-2013, 12:36 AM	#1
Shearwater6 User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Zealand Posts: 32 Thanks: 10 Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts	Quality or Quantity, that is the Question. Am new to collecting and sort of want to get my favourite pistols into my safe ASAP. Currently have a nb matching 1915 DWM luger and a 65 Walther PPK, both nice condition pistols. Am currently eyeing up two separate P-38's and a Colt 1911 plus a SW .38 victory. The P38s plus the 1911 are WWII non numbers matching warhorses, abit rough and definantly shooters but are in my price range to own them both. But recently have come across a mint 1938 Walther PP which is a beautiful condition old girl but alone is the same price as both the shooters!!? Hadn't planned on owning a PP but this one is in such good condition! Am on a limited budget. What to do, what to do...... Last edited by Shearwater6; 09-24-2013 at 03:45 PM.

09-24-2013, 07:05 AM	#2
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Many of us collectors at the start have asked this same question, "what to collect?" I can say that I started many years ago with Colt 1911 and K98K, then slowly I sold all my 1911 first, then all the K98K and started to collect Colt Pythons and I bought some crummy LUGERS just for experience and started to learn from them. What kind of Lugers would be the most interesting to collect? I wouldn't be able to suggest you anything, it's a matter of personal choice. As far as Lugers are concerned at the moment I've only got a very small collection of 14 Lugers, few but nice, my favourite ones are 1900, after all the first Lugers, made in 1900, were made for Switzerland, and immediately after for the USA... but I love 1908 too, I think they made more than 40 different versions of the P.08 so after all it's only a matter of taste ... and money. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

09-24-2013, 01:56 PM	#10
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	Although I can appreciate a well used and real gun, given the choice between paying a bit more for one in excellent shape and one in so-so shape, pay the extra! what is a nb ??? __________________ 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

09-24-2013, 07:13 AM	#3
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	Collect on the quality side of the equation. Sell the 2 to get the 1.

09-24-2013, 07:16 AM	#4
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Tim, In my opinion you will get more long term satisfaction out of owning one superb gun, than three with issues. Regards, Norm

09-24-2013, 08:10 AM	#5
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	From future selling point of view, quantity items (lower value) are easier to sell. Quality item (higher value) is lovely, but the potential buyer circle is smaller. Higher the value, smaller the circle, longer waiting.

09-24-2013, 08:27 AM	#6
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,138 Times in 2,176 Posts	'Buy the best you will never regret the rest'!! me

09-24-2013, 10:21 AM	#7
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I'd have to agree with Norm and Eric. I often see guys arrive at the range with a themed collection, (say, major WW2 issue pistols), but they are all ragged rats. In their mind, they have a "representative example" of each WW2 issue pistol, but I personally would have invested that money in one or two really nice examples of a favorite versus a whole lot of rust and pitting.

09-24-2013, 10:48 AM	#8
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,138 Times in 2,176 Posts	Good Point! Another factor is when one trys to sell it! If the luger is either mismatched or like the thousand others it will have little value or appeal for years to come. Something has to be unique to set it apart among thousand others. Unit marking and everything being correct sets it apart! Half of the excitement is tracing its history. At time of sale you need an edge to get a second look. Something special to that gun!! Without such provence it better be really sweet! Alvin there are high end buyers who demand quality and will pay for the same. Recent Auction results show lugers are a continued hot item and good investment!! Legacy Collectables is a fine example and is part of the family. Its a good start for luger window shopping. In my past I made the mistake of having 2 ex-wives and buying silver at $37 now $21! Ouch! Nice correct lugers NEVER go down!

09-24-2013, 11:51 AM	#9
Arizona Slim Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 706 Thanks: 1,026 Thanked 409 Times in 225 Posts	In all the hobbies that I have been in that involved collecting of something i.e. coins, paper money or whatever, the advice from the more knowledgeable, experienced collectors has always been the same "Buy the best that you can afford". Hope this helps. Lon

09-24-2013, 02:46 PM	#11
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,138 Times in 2,176 Posts	It amazes me back in 1969 we had 'Lugers at Random' over 40 years ago containing over 100 variations!!! These were known by Charles Kenyan in 1969 to exist!! Almost a half a century later I think we need a volume two or at they very least an updated inventory and a few corrections! His concept is good but really needs an updating! I do thank Ed and the few others who stepped in to the shoes of our past to not only publish but corrrect our facination with our favorite gun!! An honor to hold and own piece of our history and that we may some day pass down and realize their significance! For now we are the keepers with is a rare status!!

09-24-2013, 03:48 PM	#12
Shearwater6 User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Zealand Posts: 32 Thanks: 10 Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts	Well I bought the PP! Will post pictures when it arrives. Thanks to all for the advice.