Lugers at a Kalif. gun show

[Aaron]

Today at a Kalifornia gun show I found a total of four Lugers. One 1915 DWM in poor, pitted condition, so I had no interest and did not ask the price. Another 1939 dated Luger, also in a condition which did not meet my standards, so I passed it by. Then came a BYF 42 in 94% condition, very good bore, all matching, nice black grips, FXO mag with black plastic bottom, firm at $850 (private party, no tax). The last was an identical BYF 42 with 98%+ blue, just a tiny bit of muzzle wear, all matching, mint bore, super shiny mint black grips, black bottom FXO mag, an extremely nice, minty gun, $875 (plus tax and transfer fee). Still thinking about the last one, maybe I will go back and buy it.

[BILL]

At least you have something that you would even consider buying. I went to our Washington State show today and saw not one collectable grade Luger (maybe my standards are too high..ok, maybe one). I saw an atrocity (a fair condition 1936 Mauser with a Kreighoff toggle assy). The seller is conviced that the 'really nice' toggle makes the piece more desirable, hence, worth over a thousand dollars. I looked at about ten Lugers, all of which were at the last show. The only pistol I would be interested in is a 1906 American Eagle in about 20% but it is over $2000 (the seller knows it's worth more, though). I must say, I bought a really nice wood bottom mag for $35. I did see a lot of WWII loading tools, maybe time to start collecting those. Any other exciting finds at the shows? Next month will be better.

[Marvin]

I have almost quit going to local gunshows in N.C., S.C. and Georgia because the selection of collectible pistols are so low. Usually, when you do find a nice one it is priced over the normal value. What really "gets me", is the dealers that have some of the junky Lugers for sale and are asking more for them than a nice one will bring. They come on with their sales pitch about how Rare the pistol and not often seen. I just say, yea, uh huh, and then go on my way. The dealers usually have them when they leave the show. Sometimes they find someone that does not know anything about a Luger and can sell him the pistol at this inflated price because the buyer is taking the "word" of this great dealer who know all about these pistols. I have found that most dealers really know nothing about a Luger except they are expensive pistols. I would much rather pay a little more from a dealer that knows what he is talking about and can be intellegent with his conversation. Just a few of my thoughts on this subject.


Marvin

[BILL]

I agree. Sometimes it is more than I can do to just walk on by. When someone tries to convince me that a Luger is more valuable because someone has taken the time to put a rare toggle train on it (thereby ruining it's collector value) it is hard to just nod and smile. It is even worse when they say that they have to get more out of it because someone else got 'took' on this pistol but they are only trying to recoup a little of the lost cash. I am slowly moving to online collecting exclusively. We seem to be a more honorable group of afficionados. We will have to save the meaningful 'face to face' aspect for the spring get together in AZ.

[Russ]

i went to 2 shows in oregon this weekend. 5 lugers at the first show. all over priced and junky guns. none at the second show. got home and had a call frome a guy. went and looked at a 96% 1938 s/42 a realy nice gun with holster. i bought this one and was happy to get it.


i had to listen to all the dealers tell me how rare thair mismatched and reblued lugers were!!!!!! one guy told me how his dad took a 1906 american eagle of a german.


russ

[BILL]

Russ, don't you love the sales pitches? He didn't tell you that the German was a recent immigrant into the US did he? At least you found a nice pistol that you were interested in enough to buy. It seems that gun shows are getting thin in the Luger area here in the NW. Portland used to have an awesome Summer show (it was in August and a guy named Ted Dowd was the organizer). I always came away from there with at least one Luger or P.38 and no money.

[Thor]

Russ, here is one I extract an excerpt from on the P38 forum on the Gun & Knife site. Sounds familar, but man...strength the truth!!.. no just make the lie a BIG ONE! THOR


"The gun was brought back into the United States by an American Intelligence Officer during the war. He and other officers recovered this gun along with #'s 2,3 and 4 when they over took several German Officers and Soldiers. The German Officers were carrying these guns in separate presentation type cases, with no holsters.

The American Officers believed the German Officers were taking these guns to some high ranking officers in the German Military. I wonder if there is anyway to determine who the guns where for?

The gun is in extemely good condition. It has been in a safety deposit box for just about the whole time It's been in the United States. Owner feared someone might want it too much.

I would like to know what this gun might bring in auction either in the United States or maybe Europe. And who could do the auction." WHAT A CROCK!!

[John Sabato]

and each one would be a contribution of our favorite gun show sales pitch "antecdotes"( I can't believe I have used that word twice in one day)...


I think the very first one should be: "My father took this American Eagle 1906 Luger from a dead German"


(it must have belonged to Prince Erfurt! He always had such a think for American guns... He must have killed just before the surrender of General DWM. LOL so hard I can barely breathe!)


-John

[Thor]

I like the one about "It's not Nickel, it's chromed and a special presentation piece to a high Party Member" SURE...........it is! And the Crown N (almost always a commercial grade) is for ..........yeah.....it's for.......let me see now........Prince.........oh hell, I cant think of a German name that starts with "N", you got me!!"

[Thor]

This was being brought to the Fuerher by his butler and.....

let me see.......well........he was returning to by courier.....yes, that does sound good.,,,,,,,,and an airraid insued, killing the butler......yes okay...and uh....the Luger, complete in a paded and hermitically sealed presentation case, fell in a bomb hole.......yes that is it........ and was covered by the collapse of a building, yes that's right......and the steel framing PROTECTED.......the case which was dug up later by a lil ol Lady from Pasadena with a metal detector and brought STRAIGHT to this gun show" REminds me of a cross between a CARNACK SKETCH and John Lovitz doing the pathological Liar! Funny stuff people can dream up! Thor

[Big Norm]

The National Automatic Pistol Collectors Association (NAPCA) reported in their May, 2001 issue that a 1909 military luger has been found in Pasadena, California. Pictures were included in ther article. Capture papers are available and signed my LTC. Weisenheimer to the previous, and now deceased, owner who was known by the purchaser. I am not making any judgement, just reporting what was published in this reputable associations magazine.

Big Norm

[Big Norm]

I am a little embarressed. The NAPCA issue was the May 1st issue but the article was dated April 1st. I guess that it is late, and time to go to bed. Good Night.

Big Norm

[Dok]

even if it was at your expense!!

[Big Norm]

Well I got snookered. I did not even notice that it was a joke until I wrote to you people the the capture papers were signed LTC. Weisenheimer. But to my defense, the NAPCA mag was received in June and it was the May issue and the article was for April 1. Plus it was 12:30 AM. I was embarrassed. But when I thought about it, I laughed too.

Big Norm