Lesson about matching Lugers

[Johnny Peppers]

A very good lesson in whether to shoot a collectible or not. Depending upon the original condition of the pistol, the shot that cracked the receiver could very well have been a $1000 shot. A mismatched reblued Luger would have shot just as well, but the pain of having a really collectible pistol ruined is a lesson learned the hard way. Obviously everthing that will break on a Luger cannot be changed out just so that it can be shot. Had the artillery been a mismatch, the receiver could be changed out, and the only thing lost would be the money to have it repaired. Now the collectible has been reduced to a shooter.

Recently there was a prewar Colt Super Match in unfired condition in the original box for sale at $12,500. This pistol was definitely made to be fired and could be fired, but the first day at the range would probably knock $4000 off the value of the pistol. There are just too many lesser condition pistols to be fired rather than shooting something highly collectible.