best dealers?

michele alan · 12-23-2006, 06:37 AM

i would love to get some advice re very reliable dealers who are honest and whose representations about condition and authenticity can be relied upon. i just had a terrible experience with ralph shattuck which has really shattered (no pun intended) any respect i had previously had for him gleamed from his public persona. thank you.

Brent B. · 12-23-2006, 08:54 AM

Sorry to hear about the bad experience with Ralph Shattuck. I've never dealt with him so I can't give an opinion about him. I think the best place to get an honest deal is here on Luger Forum by just keeping an eye on the "for sale" section. You might also want to contact George Anderson who's a member of this forum. George and I have had numerous dealings over the last few years and I've always been very pleased. Hope this helps. Brent B.

drbuster · 12-23-2006, 09:48 AM

I have dealt with Ralph Shattuck over the years and have acquired some very nice lugers from him. On two occasions he simply missed seeing a part that was miss-matched. He gratefully took the guns back and replaced the pieces with lugers of my satisfaction. He has sold up to 90 lugers a month in his prime (he's in his mid 70's now) and just cannot keep 100% control over every facet of every luger. His guarantee is iron clad and he always has honored that. I would like to hear what went wrong with michele alan's deal, I would be very surprised if Ralph didn't make it right. Proper communication would probably solve this matter. At least his prices are very fair, IMO, and often below the current prices of some internet dealers.

michele alan · 12-23-2006, 10:25 AM

hi. mr. shattuck was charming. however he represented that the gun i purchased was an all original example of the first p-08 purchased for the imperial army. i subsequently posted photos of the gun on the forumn and it was absolutely taken apart by the members. members who apparently are very highly regarded and super patrons went as far to suggest that the "matching serial numbers" on the barrel and magazine were not authentic, that the barrell was mismatched and that the magazine was actually made by the mauser people in the 1930s. lastly, this luger did not have a timing mark on the barrell and the barrell had "made in germany stamped on it as did the frame. moreover mr. shattuck did not take the gun back in return stating that i had had it too long. it was approximately a month but unfortunately i live in state where getting a purchase permit takes longer then it should and i had to wait to pick up the gun. mr. shattuck did however agree to sell it for me on consignment with no charge. although i initially agreed to send it back to him for the consignment sale i have subsequently decided to keep it as a reminder that an uneducated consumer (me) is his own worst enemy. i am not attemping to inpugn anyone and hold myself responsible for the dissapointment.

drbuster · 12-23-2006, 12:56 PM

Michele, a very unfortunate situation where circumstances out of your control worked and conspired against you. Because Ralph doesn't provide photographs you have to trust his judgement over the telephone. I assume that the luger in question (I don't recall the Forum posting) is a 1908 "first issue" P08, as this was the first Imperial Army issued luger. You are correct in that it would have been a good idea to have knowledge about this particular model so specific questions could have been asked to Ralph when making the purchase. In certain circumstances, he will return funds even after the usual three day waiting period. Yours sounds like one of those circumstances. Would you have been able to inspect the pistol at the dealer who was acting as the transfer agent within the three day period? Was your dealer knowlegable about lugers? Could he have advised you in time? If you were truly unhappy with this deal then you should have taken Ralph up on the consignment sale as he has many lugers on consignment and I'm sure he would have seen to it that you were satifisfied. Basically, it's "buyer beware" these days, even with the most honest and caring of dealers. You must be "armed" with knowledge. Many times on both Forums "newbies" have been advised to buy luger books before buying lugers. This is very good advice. There's so much to learn about these fascinating pistols...one must NEVER assume that he knows everything!

Pete Ebbink · 12-23-2006, 06:04 PM

Michele,

I would recommend Doug Smith and Ken Clark at FGS, Inc. out of Ohio for hassle-free luger purchases with a no-questions asked return policy.

http://www.fgsinc.8m.com/

If you do a "search" for the term "FGS" or "Doug Smith" on the Luger Forum or over on Jan Still's gun-boards, you will see other strong recommendations for this dealer.

http://luger.gunboards.com/default.asp

When you do "searches" for other Luger dealer names and you see an absence of "endorsements" in the posting, that lack of commentary may be a message...of another sort.

pillboxesghost · 12-23-2006, 06:34 PM

I second Pete's endorsement of FGS. Bought an '06-'24 Bern with holster.
Holster sent was commercial (but nice example). I called asking to exchange the holster. Absolutely no problem. FGS advised in advance that the best miliary holster remaining in inventory was not quite so nice as the one sent.

Turned out to be a decent example though. All in all, a very satisfactory experience. I'd buy from them again in a heartbeat.

Search this board and the "other" board. I don't think you will find a single negative comment about FGS.

Curly1 · 12-23-2006, 06:53 PM

I have bought several handguns from checkpointcharlies one of them a WWII luger, you won't have any problems with Charlie. Give him a call if you find something you like on his site, he will send more pics, nice guy to talk to.

jamese · 12-24-2006, 05:51 AM

Talk to Geo Anderson,
He is on this Forum and ask for his gun list

Jim

michele alan · 12-24-2006, 06:20 AM

Thank you gentlemen. I have already contacted him, To All Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

the gunman · 12-24-2006, 08:17 AM

I to have bought from FGS after Petes advice. Well pleased with them and there service. As well as the quilaty of there guns. They are gentleman to deal with.

Luke · 12-24-2006, 08:49 AM

One more comment on George Anderson. Good guy, and completely honest. Also, FGS has done very well by me.

Luke

lugerholsterrepair · 12-24-2006, 10:42 AM

While all of this is true , George Anderson is honesty personified, now he will not be able to wear anything but an expandable hat. Jerry Burney

Pete Ebbink · 01-01-2007, 01:17 PM

I started a real Poll in the General Discussion sections...in case folks do not want to ID themselves...

12-23-2006, 06:37 AM	#1
michele alan User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	best dealers? i would love to get some advice re very reliable dealers who are honest and whose representations about condition and authenticity can be relied upon. i just had a terrible experience with ralph shattuck which has really shattered (no pun intended) any respect i had previously had for him gleamed from his public persona. thank you.

12-23-2006, 06:34 PM	#7
pillboxesghost User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	People you want to do business with I second Pete's endorsement of FGS. Bought an '06-'24 Bern with holster. Holster sent was commercial (but nice example). I called asking to exchange the holster. Absolutely no problem. FGS advised in advance that the best miliary holster remaining in inventory was not quite so nice as the one sent. Turned out to be a decent example though. All in all, a very satisfactory experience. I'd buy from them again in a heartbeat. Search this board and the "other" board. I don't think you will find a single negative comment about FGS. __________________ Jon Lewis

12-23-2006, 06:53 PM	#8
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,247 Thanks: 125 Thanked 717 Times in 374 Posts	I have bought several handguns from checkpointcharlies one of them a WWII luger, you won't have any problems with Charlie. Give him a call if you find something you like on his site, he will send more pics, nice guy to talk to. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

12-24-2006, 05:51 AM	#9
jamese User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 792 Thanks: 0 Thanked 86 Times in 36 Posts	Talk to Geo Anderson, He is on this Forum and ask for his gun list Jim __________________ The "truth" is a matter of Perception

12-24-2006, 08:49 AM	#12
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	One more comment on George Anderson. Good guy, and completely honest. Also, FGS has done very well by me. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

12-23-2006, 08:54 AM	#2
Brent B. User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 176 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry to hear about the bad experience with Ralph Shattuck. I've never dealt with him so I can't give an opinion about him. I think the best place to get an honest deal is here on Luger Forum by just keeping an eye on the "for sale" section. You might also want to contact George Anderson who's a member of this forum. George and I have had numerous dealings over the last few years and I've always been very pleased. Hope this helps. Brent B.

12-23-2006, 09:48 AM	#3
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	I have dealt with Ralph Shattuck over the years and have acquired some very nice lugers from him. On two occasions he simply missed seeing a part that was miss-matched. He gratefully took the guns back and replaced the pieces with lugers of my satisfaction. He has sold up to 90 lugers a month in his prime (he's in his mid 70's now) and just cannot keep 100% control over every facet of every luger. His guarantee is iron clad and he always has honored that. I would like to hear what went wrong with michele alan's deal, I would be very surprised if Ralph didn't make it right. Proper communication would probably solve this matter. At least his prices are very fair, IMO, and often below the current prices of some internet dealers.

12-23-2006, 10:25 AM	#4
michele alan User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	hi. mr. shattuck was charming. however he represented that the gun i purchased was an all original example of the first p-08 purchased for the imperial army. i subsequently posted photos of the gun on the forumn and it was absolutely taken apart by the members. members who apparently are very highly regarded and super patrons went as far to suggest that the "matching serial numbers" on the barrel and magazine were not authentic, that the barrell was mismatched and that the magazine was actually made by the mauser people in the 1930s. lastly, this luger did not have a timing mark on the barrell and the barrell had "made in germany stamped on it as did the frame. moreover mr. shattuck did not take the gun back in return stating that i had had it too long. it was approximately a month but unfortunately i live in state where getting a purchase permit takes longer then it should and i had to wait to pick up the gun. mr. shattuck did however agree to sell it for me on consignment with no charge. although i initially agreed to send it back to him for the consignment sale i have subsequently decided to keep it as a reminder that an uneducated consumer (me) is his own worst enemy. i am not attemping to inpugn anyone and hold myself responsible for the dissapointment.

12-23-2006, 12:56 PM	#5
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Michele, a very unfortunate situation where circumstances out of your control worked and conspired against you. Because Ralph doesn't provide photographs you have to trust his judgement over the telephone. I assume that the luger in question (I don't recall the Forum posting) is a 1908 "first issue" P08, as this was the first Imperial Army issued luger. You are correct in that it would have been a good idea to have knowledge about this particular model so specific questions could have been asked to Ralph when making the purchase. In certain circumstances, he will return funds even after the usual three day waiting period. Yours sounds like one of those circumstances. Would you have been able to inspect the pistol at the dealer who was acting as the transfer agent within the three day period? Was your dealer knowlegable about lugers? Could he have advised you in time? If you were truly unhappy with this deal then you should have taken Ralph up on the consignment sale as he has many lugers on consignment and I'm sure he would have seen to it that you were satifisfied. Basically, it's "buyer beware" these days, even with the most honest and caring of dealers. You must be "armed" with knowledge. Many times on both Forums "newbies" have been advised to buy luger books before buying lugers. This is very good advice. There's so much to learn about these fascinating pistols...one must NEVER assume that he knows everything!

12-23-2006, 06:04 PM	#6
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Michele, I would recommend Doug Smith and Ken Clark at FGS, Inc. out of Ohio for hassle-free luger purchases with a no-questions asked return policy. http://www.fgsinc.8m.com/ If you do a "search" for the term "FGS" or "Doug Smith" on the Luger Forum or over on Jan Still's gun-boards, you will see other strong recommendations for this dealer. http://luger.gunboards.com/default.asp When you do "searches" for other Luger dealer names and you see an absence of "endorsements" in the posting, that lack of commentary may be a message...of another sort.

12-24-2006, 06:20 AM	#10
michele alan User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you gentlemen. I have already contacted him, To All Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

12-24-2006, 08:17 AM	#11
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	I to have bought from FGS after Petes advice. Well pleased with them and there service. As well as the quilaty of there guns. They are gentleman to deal with.

12-24-2006, 10:42 AM	#13
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	While all of this is true , George Anderson is honesty personified, now he will not be able to wear anything but an expandable hat. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

01-01-2007, 01:17 PM	#14
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	I started a real Poll in the General Discussion sections...in case folks do not want to ID themselves...