Fine Luger- should I?

madkiwi · 02-06-2007, 12:38 PM

I have the oppurtunity to purchase a Luger made in 1941 by Mauser (BYF)with the Wermacht proofs, original magazine and grips, in what can only be described as very nice condition. Bluing is fading overall, worn off high spots in places.

Problem is it is in an auction, with the pre-sale estimates from $1200-1800. Does that sound about right?

While cost should not be a consideration, I fear purchasing a fine gun like this will make me less inclined to actually shoot it (like my New Zealand marked 1942 Long Branch Lee Enfield- I don't want to damage it!).

Would I be better off looking for another example at a lower cost, or go for it and enjoy shooting it anyway?

Thanks for helping this Luger noobie.

madkiwi

Edward Tinker · 02-06-2007, 12:52 PM

Mark, welcome to the forum. If you worry, then buy a "shooter"... Far better to pay $700 and break a part than an $1800 (plus commission, plus tax) and have your now $2000 transform to a $700 shooter price.

Now, how often does this actually happen, i.e. breaking a part. I would say, infrequently, these were made for shooting. That said, I have shooters in my collection and my collectables that I don't shoot.

Buying at auction is a great deal! And can be far more expensive than buying from other means. All depends on who is bidding agaisnt you...

Ed

Big Norm · 02-06-2007, 04:38 PM

Mark,
we would really have to know more about the gun to advise you. With matching mags (if they are original), the price is in the ball bark. It also suggests that the gun may be all original and possibly collectible. Sometimes you can get lucky at an auction and get a real deal. But sometimes you can get carried away and get burned. I once got real lucky at an old farm auction that had mostly farmers there and one gun dealer that had the audacity to bid against me. That dealer didn't know squat about Lugers and I picked up a mint 1900 American Eagle with Ideal grips and holster/stock for $1600. All the farmers at the auction nearly fainted when they saw a slight bidding war going on over a pistol. The auctioneer told me after the auction, I got a real good deal and that the gun dealer thought the gun was worth $2200. Yea, the gun alone was worth that much. But with a nice Ideal stock/holster and grips, the price went up dramatically. When I told the dealer that I thought that it was worth $3500-$4500 (at the time, that was a little exagerated, but I was having fun), the dealer almost fainted along side all those farmers. So, you see, there are deals out there. When the time comes to sell off my collection, that will be the last Luger that I will sell.

Another time when I went to a farm auction, I saw a whole bunch of Luger holsters that were being auctioned off. I lost out on the holsters, but there was one good sized box of miscellaneous grips and stuff there. But, inside that box, there was one nice set of Erfurt marked and numbered grips. I was standing next to some guy from Germany and he suggested that I let the whole box go and try to buy the grips after the auction. Sounded good and I didn't bid on the whole box. The box went for $200. While the winning bidder was still in state of euphoria over his treasure, I made a quick bee line for him and explained that I wanted to buy one set of grips out of the box from him. He said yes and I got the grips for $25. Later, he came back to me and he was REALLY hot under the collar. Somebody did the same thing that I did but took their good old sweet time getting to the winning bidder. (You snooze, you lose. Hee! Hee!). My timing couldn't have been better. The second guys offer was much higher than mine. That set of grips will be the second to last thing that I sell when my time comes.

Anyway, you can win at auctions, but you have to establish a price in your mind beforehand and stick to it. Even a little bit of give on your part will get you burned. I've seen that happen too. I am now waiting for something on an internet auction site and trying to establish a price in my mind. But its something that people could get carried way with, so I am biding my time for now. There are also other variables involved so I will keep the rest of this a secret for now. (Hee! Hee! I'm having fun with you, and maybe Ed, now).
Big Norm

madkiwi · 02-06-2007, 08:07 PM

So much for that idea.

It sold for $2500 plus 13.5% buyer's premium. I didn't even get a chance to lift my bidding paddle before the price exceeded my limit.

Never mind.

Pete Ebbink · 02-06-2007, 08:45 PM

Probably this one (???)

http://68.167.203.107:8050/FMPro?-db...ID=43429&-Find

madkiwi · 02-06-2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pete Ebbink
Probably this one (???)

http://68.167.203.107:8050/FMPro?-db...ID=43429&-Find

Yup, that's the one.

Here is the link showing what it went for

http://www.proxibid.com/asp/LotDetai...86&lid=1824665

Alx · 02-14-2007, 07:12 PM

I am impressed and amazed at the restraint the seller used in describing this gun.
Most would have tried to sensationalize it with the "Black Widow" terminology.

HardBaller · 02-24-2007, 12:20 PM

Seeing some of the awesome items "Big Norm" has posted, now I am curious as to how he made out with his auction above. Any pics or descriptions? Is the secret over?

02-06-2007, 12:38 PM	#1
madkiwi New User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Fine Luger- should I? I have the oppurtunity to purchase a Luger made in 1941 by Mauser (BYF)with the Wermacht proofs, original magazine and grips, in what can only be described as very nice condition. Bluing is fading overall, worn off high spots in places. Problem is it is in an auction, with the pre-sale estimates from $1200-1800. Does that sound about right? While cost should not be a consideration, I fear purchasing a fine gun like this will make me less inclined to actually shoot it (like my New Zealand marked 1942 Long Branch Lee Enfield- I don't want to damage it!). Would I be better off looking for another example at a lower cost, or go for it and enjoy shooting it anyway? Thanks for helping this Luger noobie. madkiwi

02-06-2007, 12:52 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	Mark, welcome to the forum. If you worry, then buy a "shooter"... Far better to pay $700 and break a part than an $1800 (plus commission, plus tax) and have your now $2000 transform to a $700 shooter price. Now, how often does this actually happen, i.e. breaking a part. I would say, infrequently, these were made for shooting. That said, I have shooters in my collection and my collectables that I don't shoot. Buying at auction is a great deal! And can be far more expensive than buying from other means. All depends on who is bidding agaisnt you... Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

02-24-2007, 12:20 PM	#8
HardBaller User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Seeing some of the awesome items "Big Norm" has posted, now I am curious as to how he made out with his auction above. Any pics or descriptions? Is the secret over? __________________ Better to Die On Your Feet Than Live On Your Knees

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02-06-2007, 04:38 PM	#3
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Mark, we would really have to know more about the gun to advise you. With matching mags (if they are original), the price is in the ball bark. It also suggests that the gun may be all original and possibly collectible. Sometimes you can get lucky at an auction and get a real deal. But sometimes you can get carried away and get burned. I once got real lucky at an old farm auction that had mostly farmers there and one gun dealer that had the audacity to bid against me. That dealer didn't know squat about Lugers and I picked up a mint 1900 American Eagle with Ideal grips and holster/stock for $1600. All the farmers at the auction nearly fainted when they saw a slight bidding war going on over a pistol. The auctioneer told me after the auction, I got a real good deal and that the gun dealer thought the gun was worth $2200. Yea, the gun alone was worth that much. But with a nice Ideal stock/holster and grips, the price went up dramatically. When I told the dealer that I thought that it was worth $3500-$4500 (at the time, that was a little exagerated, but I was having fun), the dealer almost fainted along side all those farmers. So, you see, there are deals out there. When the time comes to sell off my collection, that will be the last Luger that I will sell. Another time when I went to a farm auction, I saw a whole bunch of Luger holsters that were being auctioned off. I lost out on the holsters, but there was one good sized box of miscellaneous grips and stuff there. But, inside that box, there was one nice set of Erfurt marked and numbered grips. I was standing next to some guy from Germany and he suggested that I let the whole box go and try to buy the grips after the auction. Sounded good and I didn't bid on the whole box. The box went for $200. While the winning bidder was still in state of euphoria over his treasure, I made a quick bee line for him and explained that I wanted to buy one set of grips out of the box from him. He said yes and I got the grips for $25. Later, he came back to me and he was REALLY hot under the collar. Somebody did the same thing that I did but took their good old sweet time getting to the winning bidder. (You snooze, you lose. Hee! Hee!). My timing couldn't have been better. The second guys offer was much higher than mine. That set of grips will be the second to last thing that I sell when my time comes. Anyway, you can win at auctions, but you have to establish a price in your mind beforehand and stick to it. Even a little bit of give on your part will get you burned. I've seen that happen too. I am now waiting for something on an internet auction site and trying to establish a price in my mind. But its something that people could get carried way with, so I am biding my time for now. There are also other variables involved so I will keep the rest of this a secret for now. (Hee! Hee! I'm having fun with you, and maybe Ed, now). Big Norm

02-06-2007, 08:07 PM	#4
madkiwi New User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So much for that idea. It sold for $2500 plus 13.5% buyer's premium. I didn't even get a chance to lift my bidding paddle before the price exceeded my limit. Never mind.

02-06-2007, 08:45 PM	#5
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Probably this one (???) http://68.167.203.107:8050/FMPro?-db...ID=43429&-Find

02-14-2007, 07:12 PM	#7
Alx User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nashville, Tennessee area Posts: 263 Thanks: 5 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I am impressed and amazed at the restraint the seller used in describing this gun. Most would have tried to sensationalize it with the "Black Widow" terminology.