1917 vs. 1918

[Big Norm]

Frazer,
Collecting Lugers is a lot like car collecting. People want the first one made and the last one madeof any given model. Then again, the 1917 was a transition where the first ones had adjustable screws on the front and rear sights and the last ones didn't. So the last 1917 probably resembled the 1918. But its still the date on the chamber that matters.

But the production tally doesn't tell the whole story. More 1918's as a percent of production probably were captured by the allies or turned in by the Germans at the end of the war and subsequently destroyed then any other production year. This increases the collector value of a nice 1918. The earlier years had a better chance of becoming a war trophy by an ally foot solder than a 1918. At the end of the war, guys were just happy to be still alive and wanted to go home just at like the end of any other war and Lugers were quite common in those days. Certainly not the valuable collectors pieces that they are today.

But be careful there, Raygun and Frazer. Australia doesn't care if these pistols are collectible or not. A destroyed Luger is still a worthless Luger.
Big Norm