Some Unrelated Questions From A Novice

Lawdog67 · 06-24-2004, 03:13 PM

I've been browsing these boards and learning what I can. I have some random questions that have occurred to me that I haven't yet been able to figure out...

- I understand that re-finishing a collector piece can seriously impact its value. I know that all-original parts are highly prized. But I also see a lot of talk on here about replacing mainsprings and the like. Are internal springs less important to the "originality" of a pistol? Meaning, does it harm a gun's value - even if it's made more functional - by replacing its springs?

- Does dry-firing a Luger damage it in any way?

- Someone else asked about what the going market rate is for entry-level "shooter" guns. I know it's higher than what people were saying just a few years ago. Do you all see a sharp rise in prices for these guns lately? If so is there an increased demand? Or are the prices going up just due to inflation & that sort of thing? Meaning, am I okay to look around and compare and learn for the next several months - or am I going to pay a higher purchase price for waiting?

- Finally - I live in east / central Texas. I have only rarely in my life been able to pick up & examine a Luger. Usually I see them at gun shows, but they tend to be behind glass or otherwise off-limits to the curious. I've never even seen one fired (except on video). Is there anywhere else I can go and examine one (or several) at length and learn what they feel like, how they compare, and so on? As you all know, there's only so much that pictures and words can do.

Thanks for anything you can tell me, and I apologize if these questions have already been asked!

- David

Thor · 06-24-2004, 03:26 PM

David, come see Natalie & me in New Mexico and we can take out several Lugers and shoot them all you want! That is really the only way to enjoy them to the fullest. I would even let you shoot my K date Luger, I have not fired it since I restored it!
<a href="http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/HC1900AEA2R.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/HC1900AEA2R.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a>
<a href="http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ThorKdate2.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ThorKdate2.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a>

John Sabato · 06-24-2004, 03:27 PM

David, welcome.

Replacing a worn or used mainspring on an antique gun that is going to be shot is a good idea, but IMHO it has the same impact on value that replacing anything else would... however, most who would replace a spring for shooting would retain the original to keep the parts together and the gun can be restored to it's original condition for any subsequent owner...

Dry firing a Luger is not a recommended practice, but an occassional "snap" should not be expected to cause irreparable harm... I always use a snap cap or a fired case to buffer the fall of the firing pin... but that is just me.

The reason that prices have risen so sharply in the last couple of years is that the shooting community has realized that there are a finite number of original Lugers, and there are no more hiding in quantity in some European warehouse that will be dumped on the market and reduce prices... When all the good ones are gone... and there are quite a few of them... you will have to wait until somebody dies or decides to sell one.

Prices will NEVER come back down, since the supply is limited.

I have owned two Lugers for about 30 years and the only way I will part with either them is when my widow sells them to make the house payment AFTER I am gone...

The best way to handle one or more, and shoot one if you don't own one is to find someone else who does and get to be buddies... You can ask for folks on this forum who live in Texas (there are many but Texas, as you know is a BIG place) to drop you a line and if one of them or a surrounding state is close enough, you might get together for a "shoot."

READ lots of printed references about Lugers to decide on what you really want to own, either to shoot or collect, and then enlist the assistance of someone who is knowledgeable in that area to help you find the one that is for you... just another reason that this forum exists.

You don't have to be in hurry, but I would NOT wait a couple more years before buying, even if you only want ONE. Just decide what is the one for you and then find it and buy it.

Johnny C. Kitchens · 06-24-2004, 09:24 PM

I live in the Metroplex, and I would let you shoot my Luger. I'll warn you, it could be addictive...

Lawdog67 · 06-25-2004, 11:02 AM

Wow, thanks for all the information! And especially for the offers to come shoot... That's a mightly friendly thing to do for a total stranger! This really IS a great site.

That's a beautiful pistol, Thor. I'm still trying to figure out the "K date" reference but I'll get it soon...!

And Johnny, yeah, I'm worried about the addiction potential already. I've already had to wean myself off of my .45 "situation" more than once. Apparently, the first step is "admitting you have a problem." ... and I never have been willing to concede that! So I keep relapsing. Oh well... I don't get up to D/FW too often, but it does happen... maybe this will make me free up the time!

John Sabato · 06-25-2004, 04:01 PM

A "K-date Luger" means that the place over the chamber where the manufacturing date is normally stamped is stamped with a capital "K"

Which is a code for a Mauser produced gun in I believe, 1935. (and I am pretty sure that "G"-dates are 1934, but someone who knows for sure about the year will be sure and jump in here and either verify my statement or correct me...

Guns coded in this manner are not as plentiful as other Lugers and hence command a somewhat higher price.

the gunman · 06-25-2004, 04:14 PM

G dates are 1935 K dates 1934

John Sabato · 06-25-2004, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the clarification Gunman... I was working from memory since I don't have access to my reference library at the moment.

06-24-2004, 03:13 PM	#1
Lawdog67 User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Some Unrelated Questions From A Novice I've been browsing these boards and learning what I can. I have some random questions that have occurred to me that I haven't yet been able to figure out... - I understand that re-finishing a collector piece can seriously impact its value. I know that all-original parts are highly prized. But I also see a lot of talk on here about replacing mainsprings and the like. Are internal springs less important to the "originality" of a pistol? Meaning, does it harm a gun's value - even if it's made more functional - by replacing its springs? - Does dry-firing a Luger damage it in any way? - Someone else asked about what the going market rate is for entry-level "shooter" guns. I know it's higher than what people were saying just a few years ago. Do you all see a sharp rise in prices for these guns lately? If so is there an increased demand? Or are the prices going up just due to inflation & that sort of thing? Meaning, am I okay to look around and compare and learn for the next several months - or am I going to pay a higher purchase price for waiting? - Finally - I live in east / central Texas. I have only rarely in my life been able to pick up & examine a Luger. Usually I see them at gun shows, but they tend to be behind glass or otherwise off-limits to the curious. I've never even seen one fired (except on video). Is there anywhere else I can go and examine one (or several) at length and learn what they feel like, how they compare, and so on? As you all know, there's only so much that pictures and words can do. Thanks for anything you can tell me, and I apologize if these questions have already been asked! - David

06-24-2004, 03:26 PM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	David, come see Natalie & me in New Mexico and we can take out several Lugers and shoot them all you want! That is really the only way to enjoy them to the fullest. I would even let you shoot my K date Luger, I have not fired it since I restored it! <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/HC1900AEA2R.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/HC1900AEA2R.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a> <a href="http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ThorKdate2.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ThorKdate2.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a> __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

06-24-2004, 03:27 PM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	David, welcome. Replacing a worn or used mainspring on an antique gun that is going to be shot is a good idea, but IMHO it has the same impact on value that replacing anything else would... however, most who would replace a spring for shooting would retain the original to keep the parts together and the gun can be restored to it's original condition for any subsequent owner... Dry firing a Luger is not a recommended practice, but an occassional "snap" should not be expected to cause irreparable harm... I always use a snap cap or a fired case to buffer the fall of the firing pin... but that is just me. The reason that prices have risen so sharply in the last couple of years is that the shooting community has realized that there are a finite number of original Lugers, and there are no more hiding in quantity in some European warehouse that will be dumped on the market and reduce prices... When all the good ones are gone... and there are quite a few of them... you will have to wait until somebody dies or decides to sell one. Prices will NEVER come back down, since the supply is limited. I have owned two Lugers for about 30 years and the only way I will part with either them is when my widow sells them to make the house payment AFTER I am gone... The best way to handle one or more, and shoot one if you don't own one is to find someone else who does and get to be buddies... You can ask for folks on this forum who live in Texas (there are many but Texas, as you know is a BIG place) to drop you a line and if one of them or a surrounding state is close enough, you might get together for a "shoot." READ lots of printed references about Lugers to decide on what you really want to own, either to shoot or collect, and then enlist the assistance of someone who is knowledgeable in that area to help you find the one that is for you... just another reason that this forum exists. You don't have to be in hurry, but I would NOT wait a couple more years before buying, even if you only want ONE. Just decide what is the one for you and then find it and buy it. __________________ 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..."*

06-24-2004, 09:24 PM	#4
Johnny C. Kitchens User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 518 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	I live in the Metroplex, and I would let you shoot my Luger. I'll warn you, it could be addictive... __________________ Johnny C. Kitchens

06-25-2004, 04:01 PM	#6
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	A "K-date Luger" means that the place over the chamber where the manufacturing date is normally stamped is stamped with a capital "K" Which is a code for a Mauser produced gun in I believe, 1935. (and I am pretty sure that "G"-dates are 1934, but someone who knows for sure about the year will be sure and jump in here and either verify my statement or correct me... Guns coded in this manner are not as plentiful as other Lugers and hence command a somewhat higher price. __________________ 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..."*

06-25-2004, 11:02 AM	#5
Lawdog67 User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow, thanks for all the information! And especially for the offers to come shoot... That's a mightly friendly thing to do for a total stranger! This really IS a great site. That's a beautiful pistol, Thor. I'm still trying to figure out the "K date" reference but I'll get it soon...! And Johnny, yeah, I'm worried about the addiction potential already. I've already had to wean myself off of my .45 "situation" more than once. Apparently, the first step is "admitting you have a problem." ... and I never have been willing to concede that! So I keep relapsing. Oh well... I don't get up to D/FW too often, but it does happen... maybe this will make me free up the time!

06-25-2004, 04:14 PM	#7
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	G dates are 1935 K dates 1934

06-25-2004, 04:30 PM	#8
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,155 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Thanks for the clarification Gunman... I was working from memory since I don't have access to my reference library at the moment. __________________ 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..."*