Update on book release

[Ron Wood]

I just returned from Europe a couple of weeks ago. While there I had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess and view what is undoubtedly one of the finest gun collections in the world in private hands. It was a mind-boggling experience.

I have since received an email from Geoff concerning the upcoming delivery of the three volume set of books he co-authored with the late Joachim Görtz. He asked me to post this announcement: “ I finally got confirmation from the printers that the books will be shipping this week-end [15-16 Sep], so delivery and distribution will start around mid-late October, This will extend the pre-publication offer until then ($275 delivered in USA per Simpson web-site which still however gives mid-September as the offer cut-off) . I'd be grateful if you could… inform forum users of this extension of the offer, and also perhaps to write a brief review based on the pdf DVD I sent a while back.”

There is little I can state in the way of a review that would not involve excessive use of superlatives. The set has been comprehensively revised from the previously published, heavily edited set that prompted Dr. Sturgess to set things right with this release. There is much new information that has surfaced since the previous release and the layout and chronology of the work is much improved. It is not a “catalogue” of Luger types illustrating the many type variations. That type of photographic essay is well represented in current Luger publications, most notably the excellent and detailed works of Jan Still, collaborations by Hallock & van de Kant, Baudino & van Vlimmeren, Tinker & Johnson as well as the seminal books by Datig, Jones, Kenyon and Walter. This Görtz/Sturgess is a body of knowledge that goes beyond a compendium and is the ultimate reference that significantly underscores and amplifies the material in these former works.

To quote from the Introduction, the book is intended “to provide some insight into the technical development and distribution of the weapons and the reasons for the numerous variations that exist, frequently developed as responses to official/military and market demands. A similar approach has been taken to describing the markings, serial numbering systems and the official inspection and proof stamps that appear on these pistols, by explaining the manufacturing organisation, laws and official instructions under which these marks were stamped, rather than simply cataloguing them by rote, to assist the collector in understanding why a certain marking is, or should be, or perhaps should not be, present in a particular location on a specific variant of the pistol.”

This new 3-volume set by Görtz/Sturgess is a remarkable presentation of the evolution of the Luger from its genesis with the 1893 Borchardt through all of the progressive changes until it arrived at its final stages of production. There are biographical sketches of the pioneers of semi-automatic handgun development. Also included are extensive details and photographs of contemporary handguns that represented competing technologies during the early years. There are detailed narratives and photographic examples of the morphology and taxonomy of the very beginnings of Borchardt and Luger development.

The content of this set is so rich that it is difficult to encapsulate the depth and breadth of its scope. There is no more intensive account of the earliest involvement of governments in the adaptation of the Luger as a potential and eventually accepted military sidearm. There are exquisite exposés of forgeries and frauds. Early multi-national procurement and history are detailed. The comprehensive accounts of the various Luger manufacturers and their products are presented. Holsters, ammunition and other accessories along with retailers and distribution are addressed in fantastic detail. The list goes on and on.

This is an absolutely essential reference for the serious Luger collector, but it should also be a consideration for even the most novice of Luger enthusiasts. The lessons learned in these three volumes will more than offset their purchase price. In the area of Borchardt and Luger forensics alone, this reference set will be the standard for future generations.

[skeeter4206]

WOW! I bet that was really cool just looking at that collection. Cool picture Ron.

[Edward Tinker]

wow, very nice, I would love to see the good doctors collection!

[ithacaartist]

Gee, Ron, you make this book(s) sound like it's not gonna be too hard to take, after all! Can't wait to get mine in the mail...

That pic, OMG! And that's just a corner of the room, there in the background behind those distinguished gentlemen? Wowzer, it's drool bucket time again.

[Ron Wood]

David,
That is just the tip of the iceberg...there are over 400 Lugers in that room representing virtually all variations. In addition there are banks of cabinets containing examples from the very beginnings of semi-auto firearm development. I saw drawer after drawer the contents of each easily valued from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. An experience of a lifetime.

[Ron Wood]

On Jan Still's forum I had an inquiry from a European member if it was possible to order the 3-volume set from a European source as costs (shipping and customs fees) for ordering from Simpson's in the US is prohibitive. I just received the following information from Dr. Sturgess:

"Thanks for making the postings. Please ask enquirers from Europe to contact me by e-mail (feel free to send my address to them or post it) and I will either handle their orders direct or direct them to the appropriate retailer for their territory. All North/South America and Pacific Rim enquiries should be dealt with by Brad Simpson at the Simpson web-site."

Per his instructions, Dr. Sturgess' email address is: gsturgess@newtonhall.co.uk

Hope this information is useful for European members of this forum.
Ron

[rhuff]

I can not, in my wildest dreams, conceive of having just the number of Lugers showing on the walls in the photo. I think that I would move my bed into that room so I could just stare at them.

[Douglas Jr.]

This picture is breathtaking!
Looking forward to get my 3-book set.
Douglas.

[mrerick]

Mine has been on order for a few weeks too... glad to see manufacturing and shipment happen!

Does the DVD contain the book in PDF format, or in a form that could be easily transported on a memory stick or SD card?

I'd love to be able to bring the book in softcopy form to gun shows with me. It will facilitate verifying the correctness of pistols at shows using either a PC or a tablet.

Marc

[Sammler]

Ron,

What do you know about that l-o-n-g barrel Luger (lower left corner of the photo)?

[Ron Wood]

Originally Posted by Sammler

Ron,

What do you know about that l-o-n-g barrel Luger (lower left corner of the photo)?

Unfortunately, not a thing. There were so many other things that I wanted to see during my brief 5 hours (I could have spent a month) that it barely caught my attention. Since Dr. Sturgess does not deal in "bubba's basement" or gunsmith flights of fancy, I would guess that it may be one of the odd-ball 1920s carbines, or something offered by Pacific Arms or other dealers of that era that would make up Lugers in just about any barrel length you wanted. At any rate it almost certainly is legitimate, I just don't know its pedigree.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Ron, Some people have ALL the fun! I am envious..5 hours..man..not enough time for sure!