Did the newb screw up?

[sailmotion]

I am the ultimate Luger NON-EXPERT. While I can appreciate the historical significance of the gun, I know very little when it comes to a "great deal" or a fraud. Despite this ignorance, I search various sites pretty religiously looking for reasonably priced Luger's. I'm pretty selective and don't want a mismatched "Frankenstein". After many months of searching, I have been unable to find a Luger which called my name...until yesterday.

With less then 15 minutes left in the auction and an already acceptable bid, I found the following:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=410238327

With no time to think or reconsider, I punched the "Buy it Now" button. I am now the proud owner of a Luger; but is it one I should hide in my safe or proudly share at the range? Don't hold back - if I was duped, I deserve to be embarrassed.

[Norme]

Hi Pat, It looks like you did OK. Apart from the chipped grip and the non period correct magazine (both mentioned by the seller), it's a gun most Luger collectors would be happy to own.
Regards, Norm

[DavidJayUden]

I also think you did fine. And there is a fellow on this forum that can repair that chip if you are so inclined.
Welcome!
dju

[mrerick]

Have Hugh Clark fix the grip and keep your eye out for a WW-I period magazine.

You may have a police magazine, depending on the appearance of the base stampings.

Congratulations!

This one is collectible, and many of us don't shoot collectible pistols because of the risk of breaking numbered parts.

Marc

[Edward Tinker]

welcome to the forum

A bit of mixed signals here, you said you look for lugers religiously, but then came across this one with 15 mins to spare

Actually, hundreds of lugers for sale on any one day, gunbroker, auction arms, guns america (some repeats), this forum, Jan Still's forum and many other gun sights, and this is not counting the hundreds that Simpsons, Legacy, Pre-98 have for sale (all upper end dealers).

Biggest thing is take your time, buy books, study, see what era you are interested in.

if just a luger, well you got one for a decent price, should clean up a bit.

Congrats

Ed

[ChrisLL]

Congratulations! Looks like a fair price to me; I am no expert but do watch the auctions, etc. Enjoy your new Luger.

Chris

[alanint]

It looks like a previous owner really scrubbed the grips on this pistol. Did the seller garranty they matched as well?

If matching, I would treat them with linseed oil or similar to bring a nice sheen back to them and to recover some color.

Nice buy!

[John Sabato]

I think you did fine! +1 on getting the grip repaired by Hugh.

[Zorba]

I don't think you can complain about the price - in my also-not-expert opinion. Congrats!

+3 (or whatever) on Hugh's grip services!

[sailmotion]

Thanks everyone. I can't tell you how relieved I am to discover I didn't purchase a $1K+ paperweight. Also, thanks for the multiple recommendations for someone to repair the grip. However, the recommendations have confused me a little. I was under the impression that ANY modifications (eg., re-bluing, modern grips, etc.) diminish the value of a "collectible". Was I wrong?

And regarding "collectibles", mrerick advised that shooting a collectible may be ill-advised due to the risk of breaking matching parts. While I certainly want my Luger to be and remain of "collectible" quality, I also want to enjoy it for the purpose it was intended - shooting. I have no "safe queens" and never really intended to have any. Is breaking parts a high or low level risk? I might assume a low risk, but maybe not a high one. Furthermore, is it sacrilege to show up at the range with a vintage Luger? On reflection, I realize in my many hours at various ranges, I have never once seen someone else shooting a Luger. Strange?

More good advice - "get a period correct magazine". I will now be looking for WWI era magazines. Are these the wood toggle variety?

I apologize for all the questions, but I feel like a kid who just got his first bike without training wheels and is unfamiliar with what to do with it. If you have the patience, I have the curiosity.

[Balder]

sailmotion,

Congrats on a fine Luger! And remember that everyboy on this forum also started out as newbies. Prepare for new acquisitions, Lugers are contagious little things. Trust me, I know.

Balder

[DavidJayUden]

Welcome to the confusing world of Lugers. They are the greatest guns ever, but no, you shouldn't shoot them. Never alter the original finish, except to have the grips repaired...I completely understand your confusion. It can be maddening, and none of us has the ultimate answer for others, only what we choose to do.
It is sort of a matter of personal choice, as you alone will bear the consequences.
I can not imagine a $1000 collectable piece being devalued by having the grip repaired, any more than having a new strap put onto a holster.
If it was an extremely high end gun, then leave it as-is.
Shoot it at your peril, as if it breaks the value will drop some, but in your case not all that far, maybe $200?
Now every one on this forum will have a different answer, so sit back and enjoy.
But in the mean time go have fun with your new Luger...
dju

[Curly1]

Welcome to the forum, nice acqusition.

[Quentin]

Originally Posted by sailmotion

... regarding "collectibles", mrerick advised that shooting a collectible may be ill-advised due to the risk of breaking matching parts. While I certainly want my Luger to be and remain of "collectible" quality, I also want to enjoy it for the purpose it was intended - shooting. I have no "safe queens" and never really intended to have any. Is breaking parts a high or low level risk? I might assume a low risk, but maybe not a high one. Furthermore, is it sacrilege to show up at the range with a vintage Luger? On reflection, I realize in my many hours at various ranges, I have never once seen someone else shooting a Luger. Strange? ...

Sail, congratulations on the new P08! It looks good.

As far as shooting it, well you do take a chance of parts breakage - and the WWI models aren't as strong as the Mausers of the second world war.

Still, it probably won't break with light use, say 25-100 rounds a year. And if a part breaks, well you've only dropped maybe $300 in value from $1000 instead of many thousands for a highly collectable model. But I'll leave that up to you. It would be smart to have a good gunsmith that knows Lugers look it over before shooting, check headspace, frame/receiver/barrel cracking, etc.

I can tell you my mixed numbers 1913 DWM has been quite durable since I bought it in 1975 and fired many thousands of rounds over the years. I did have one part break, the big axle pin to the rear (fortunately a very easy fix) but as I said it already was a mixed numbers pistol so no loss in value as a shooter. Over the last year I have shot it more than most years since at 100+ years now it draws more interest with friends and range buddies.

Anyway, you're right - you don't see a Luger at a normal range often but they do draw attention. I've never had anyone scold me that I shouldn't shoot such an old gun.

Now my other P08, an all matching 1941 byf... I've never fired that one! It's near pristine and probably has less than 500 rounds through it so should stand up to much shooting but I know what would happen if I fired it once!

[Sergio Natali]

First of all welcome to this forum where I'm sure you'll always find new things to learn.
No, I don't think that you bought a $1K+ paperweight.
As far as the so called multiple recommendations for someone to repair the grip, I think it would be a good idea.
On the left ear under the thumb safety there should be the "Geladen" inscription.
Are the grips matching?
In any case congratulation for the purchase.

Sergio

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by luger.parabellum

On the left ear under the thumb safety there should be the "Geladen" inscription.

... ...

No, no! It should say "Gesundheit!"...

[ChrisLL]

Sail,

If you decide to shoot (I would but that's me) you might want to repair the grip and then get some reproduction grips to shoot with and set the others in the back of your safe. They are fairly easily damaged (esp. where yours is) and then you won't have to worry about destroying them. Some of the older grips (I suspect from drying/shrinking) move around a bit on the gun when shooting, which makes damage even more likely. There are no solid/easy fixes that I know for that (tried a couple, no luck), I ended up ordering some plastic reproduction grips from vit-zemanek (eBay) from the Czech Republic as several members have had pretty good luck with his grips. All of them seem to require a bit of fitting. Enjoy.

[alanint]

There are a number of fixes for loose grips, which can be found if you search the site. One quick fix is small "o" rings around the base of each grip screw.

[ChrisLL]

Originally Posted by alanint

There are a number of fixes for loose grips, which can be found if you search the site. One quick fix is small "o" rings around the base of each grip screw.

Yes, I tried the o-ring fix, and the hot glue fix as well, but unfortunately after shooting a while the grips, esp the right one still shifted. Maybe they never fit that well (although #s match). Just my experience, I know others have had better luck.

I figured I was better off to shoot w/reproductions.

[Tony Min]

Both my brother in law and I bring our $1000 Lugers out to the range regular. It is actually a very accurate gun and with new springs can be 99% reliable.
Mine likes 115gr Winchester white box FMJ