Did I do right?

Trip to local pawn shop offered three options: a. S-42, Russian import, sns I could see were matching,import stamped on barrel & obvious reblue($450) b. 1921 DWM,same as above,($425) c, Polish radom,take down lever, matching,WA 77,fair to decent original finish, NON IMPORT($425). I realize this is akin to heresy at this site but I got the Radom.The question is how do you determine the value of an import? Where does the value drop on a gun like a Luger because its an import? Please be gentle on the comments. I've got a medical history you wouldn't believe.

Thanks for the FORUM. I've impressed the local pawn shop gurus based on what I've read about Lugers.

[Lonnie Zimmerman]

Grady; if you want a Radom you did fine!


Lonnie

[BILL]

First off, the Lugers and Radoms are all imported(since none were actually made in this country..ok, some were stolen from the German govt). Seriously, though, the prices you quoted are not unreasonable at all. I don't know about the Radom though, never got into Polish guns. There is no definite price point on imported vs. non-imported Lugers. There are the purist collectors (and that isn't a bad thing) that will not consider the recent imports to be collectable, but that is changing. I think the biggest 'price break' is usually more apparent on refinish vs. original finish. That depends on the pistol, condition, variation, rarity, accessories, etc.

I'd have gotten one of the Lugers...


{whisper: I've wanted a Radom for a while, you did ok}


But the prices were okay for the Lugers, as Bill said, I don't know about the Radom prices, but more than likely it was okay?


If you are happy, then cool!





ED

[Orv Reichert]

I do not buy an import gun unless it is 100% original. all parts matching..no pitting..no renumbered parts and what seems to have been nice finish under the dip blue.


In other words...I want a nice gun that was dipped and imported. These will have value and are collectible [in my opinion]


I think you did well with the Vis/Radom..now, get yourself a nice P38P marked Nazi holster and a spare mag!


Orv Reichert

[Marvin]

I think you did OK with the Radom as they are nice pistols! Over the past 4-5 years, I have seen the prices on the Radoms go from about $250-300 to the current value of $400-500, and these are not mint condition either. The Radom is a well designed pistol and very collectible.


Marvin

Dear R.Grady - if you are happy with the deal, that's just fine. You must have checked out the Radom [Pistole Mod 35[p] pretty carefully before you bought it , right? The earlier, the better they were. you don't say how old yours is, but a guide is whetehr or not it has the hammer-drop device. Later guns dropped this expensive item, and in the end they were a mite sloppy in the fit and finish.

Enjoy for us


Terry Foley

[Kyrie]

Hi Folks,


I more or less agree with Orv. The only place we differ is on the reblue - if itâ??s a reblue it has zero original finish and consequently has no collector value (IMO). Please note Iâ??ve said nothing about its collectability


Best regards,


Kyrie

[Orv Reichert]

Thanks for the info. I really like 08s but these were sad to see. Condition seemed good but how do you know what is underneath the dip blue. The Radom does have the drop safety and the take down lever, bore is excellent and I tried it out this afternoon. Very smooth,seems a little heavier than a BHP. Disassembly is 95% same as a BHP also(no surprise). It functioned flawlessly. Reference the holster mentioned a P38P? So the p38 holster is also for the Radom. There is an original Radom holster on Ebay for $500+ and still going up.As always, thanks for the info.


RGG

[Lonnie Zimmerman]

Grady; check out Checkpoint Charlie for Radom holsters. He usually has a few. Be sure and tell him you don"t want one that has been oiled down etc!


Lonnie