Which book ?

[HuntMaster]

Hello everyone,
I want to learn more about the different types of Lugers and the various manufacturers. I thought I would tell the Mrs to get me a Luger book for Christmas.
Is there a general consensus on what book I should go with 1st?
I realize there are probably many books on the subject, but I thought I would ask you guys what you recommend, as I can't swing buying multiple books all at once.
Thanks for input in advance.
Derek

[Edward Tinker]

Try reading this first.

Plus the FAQ, plus searches, plus kinda think which era you like best, Imperial, Weimar or Nazi / commercial or military...

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=6937

[Ron Smith]

Derek,

If you are looking for a general over view. I would go with Lugers at Random by Kenyon. It's becoming somewhat out dated, but still a good picture encyclopedia of different variations. Relatively speaking , it can still be found at a reasonable price.

If you are interested in Imperial WWI Lugers as well as other pistols. Jan Still's Central Powers Pistols is the finest book on the market. And can be purchased directly from Jan for under $100, a bargain. After it sells out, it will triple in value.

Ron

[LugerVern]

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

If you are looking for a general over view. I would go with Lugers at Random by Kenyon. It's becoming somewhat out dated, but still a good picture encyclopedia of different variations. Relatively speaking , it can still be found at a reasonable price.

If you are interested in Imperial WWI Lugers as well as other pistols. Jan Still's Central Powers Pistols is the finest book on the market. And can be purchased directly from Jan for under $100, a bargain. After it sells out, it will triple in value.

Ron

If I had to do it all over again I would buy both of these books first and then go from there. Ron hit the nail on the head.

Vern

[FNorm]

Derek,

Anything by Jan Still. I find, right now, his Imperial Lugers, and Third Reich Lugers are most interesting to me. The Krieghoff by Randall Gibson I found fascinating with his descriptions of the minute difference between the manufacturers. It all depends on where you want to go. There are separate books on Dutch Luger, Simson lugers, etc. See Links and Resorces.

[HuntMaster]

Thanks for the quick replies.
I suppose I am looking for a general overview. As I increasingly learn to love the Luger, I would like to be able to identify these pistols if and when I find them at gunshows, etc.... .
I have been proud of my 1st two purchases, as I feel I got them at the right price, and want to be able to spot a fake ,or know what to pay for different makes, or if I spot a seriously undervalued treasure.
I'll take a look at these suggestions.
Also, I recently purchased a 1917 Artillery model, which according to some info out there on the web , many were destroyed after the war, or had shorter barrels installed, thus ruining the guns. I would have thought the gun was worth far more than the $1200 I paid, even if it was a low-grade shooter, based on some of the info circulating the world-wide-web.
I have since perceived that this find is somewhat common, and therefor may not be the prized possesion I would have thought before joining this forum.
So far, this forum has been a great source of information, but sometimes I just want to kick back and read in my easy chair.

Derek

[Thor]

I love Jan Still's books for referencing, serial number ranges, different variations for Military Issued Lugers. I also love to just LOOK at Luger: the Multinational Pistol by Charles Kenyon Jr. Those colored photos make it a great book to admire the Luger pistol and it is facinating how many countries got this incredible gun. SIMPSONS LTD was selling this one

[lugerholsterrepair]

Derek, Also, I recently purchased a 1917 Artillery model, which according to some info out there on the web , many were destroyed after the war, or had shorter barrels installed, thus ruining the guns. I would have thought the gun was worth far more than the $1200 I paid, even if it was a low-grade shooter, based on some of the info circulating the world-wide-web.
I have since perceived that this find is somewhat common, and therefor may not be the prized possesion I would have thought before joining this forum.


Think again. Artillery pistols..even shooters are highly sought after. Many collectors don't even have a shooter. There are many accessories that go with them that other pistols don't have.
I agree with Ron's recommendation. Jan Still's Central Powers book is the one to get if you are on a budget. You will get GREAT value for your limited money.
Thor's recomendation is great too but a little advanced for a novice. Beautiful photo's make a person want to get it all but no real in depth information. As I recall it isn't cheap either? To tell you the truth..buy all the books you can find and afford. You won't regret any book purchase you make.

Jerry Burney

[HuntMaster]

What does everyone think of "The Luger Pistol" by Fred A. Datig. I saw one yesterday for $50, but wouldn't buy until I found out what you guys think of it.

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by HuntMaster

What does everyone think of "The Luger Pistol" by Fred A. Datig. I saw one yesterday for $50, but wouldn't buy until I found out what you guys think of it.

Derek, not to be a pain, but did you even go to the thread I pointed out?

2 pages of comments on books, many by the same people here?

The answer to your question is slippery, depending on the experience and interests of the person asking, and the same goes for whomever is recommending.

For anyone more serious than just buying a Luger to have, the first indispensible book is Kenyon's "Lugers At Random". First published in 1969 it is not the most up-to-date source, but it remains the most comprehensive catalog of the most varieties of Lugers and their characterisitcs. Its photographs are large, perfunctory, and of moderate reproduction quality, its real value is in its comprehensiveness and text information.

The best current general history of the Luger is John Walters's "The Luger Story", ©1995. Datig's 1955 (revised 1958) book is a sentimental favorite, but it requires careful and experienced reading to see just how much was -not- known about Lugers in those years, and how much of Datig's speculation has proved to be in error.

For an inexperienced but ambitious Luger buff I recommend Aaron Davis's "Luger Handbook". With one serious reservation. This pocket-sized booklet begins with an excellent Luger identification system. It is a great little resource to take to gun shows or Luger dealers to help one become familiar with the various Luger variations as they present themselves.

That having been said, anyone buying this book would be wise to rip out the pages following the identification section and throw them away. The book's text is full of factual errors, and the price guides are straight out of cloud-cuckoo-land.

Davis's book, and its usefulness, introduces something which does not seem to come up whenever the topic is Luger books. That is, the paper is adjunct to the steel. It is important to "read"--examine--as many Lugers as possible, in order that one has a frame of reference for the information in the books.

The next level of good Luger books is a broad spectrum of volumes which are more tightly focussed on specific topics. And here also I will diverge a bit from the "conventional wisdom" found in these Forums.

Most recommend that one read books and decide what special interests one has, and then buy Lugers along those interests. I suspect that most inexperienced Luger aficionados are fairly bewildered by the Luger variety, and do not begin to have the background to make such a decision. Rather, one might profitably consider what varieties of Luger one has little interest in, and then explore the others for the interest they might hold.

At this point an aspiring Luger collector might do well to buy both books and Lugers. At least one or two, examples which one can disassemble and examine with books at hand to act as practical study guides.

The next indispensible books are Jan Still's volumes on the major Luger eras. These books are full of details which answer many of the questions one automatically comes up with about one's Luger--where? when? how many? used by whom? The photographs in these books are noteworthy in their excellence. Buy the volumes which match the era of the Lugers you have, and also which meet the historic interests you may be developiing.

The truly specialized books will present themselves directly to your evolving interests--"The Dutch Luger", "The Navy Luger", "The Swiss Parabellum", "La Luger Artiglieria", "The Krieghoff Parabellum", and Bender's holster and accessories book, among others.

Pay attention to the Luger Forums. At some point you may find yourself wanting to answer other people's questions, as well as asking your own (or perhaps you want to start answering your more detailed questions yourself). This is an excellent method of learning about Lugers, the necessity to figure out answers and check your facts while doing so. This is when books such as "German Small Arms Markings", "The Imperial German Regimental Markings", John Walters's "The Luger Book" ©1986, and Costanzo's proof marks magnum opus become worthwhile purchases.

I have not read Henrotin's e-books, but as a researcher I find printed pages much more satisfying and useful.

I hope this commentary has some value for you. I have gone rather farther afield than perhaps your question intended, but these things have been on my mind and I appreciate your providing the opportunity to express them.

--Dwight

[wlyon]

It is a fine older book. Some of the info had been updated by researchers since the book was printed. It was one of the earlier luger references. My advise buy every luger reference book you can afford. They all have something to add. If you only want one or a few books you can't beat Jan Still's books. Bill

[SteveM]

Another that I don't think was mentioned was The Luger Book by John Walter. Some of the info may be dated, but it is still a good reference. Everything to do with Lugers from A to Z.

[HuntMaster]

Yes, I read through the posted thread, but guess I skipped over the part on Datigs' book. I see that Still's book is by far the favorite.
Many thanks for the replies.

Derek