Book of Luger, C-96 values

[Edward Tinker]

I have a few score of luger books - a few have values, but I generally don't trust them, they are too low or too high.

Reese had a value guide
Aaron Davis has value in his books
Blue book has values

I think you have to give more info on what you have heard; but personally I would go by values I see at gunbroker (sold items) - probably not Rock Island as they are usually poorly written and either too high or too low

Look at retail sites like Simpson's LTD but figure 30-40% less for collector to collector selling

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Blue book has values

I think you have to give more info on what you have heard; but personally I would go by values I see at gunbroker (sold items)...

I don't even bother to look at the Blue Book values. By the time they are printed the values are already out of date. They do not take into consideration the difference between 'collectors' and casual buyers, they don't reflect regional values, they use their own 'condition' value system, and they don't take into consideration 'trends' in buyers wants. A good example of 'trends' is the upswing in interest in Totenkopf and Russian Contract Lugers, fueled by intense and sometimes passionate discussion on many Internet forums.

Then there are intermittent surges in certain models that bring down the values of related handguns - the Walther P1 is still selling locally at $499 [Gander Mountain has dozens], which affects sales of all large 9mm handguns.

I like Ed's view; that completed sales of Gunbroker items, averaged, gives a good indication of the fair market value. In fact, I need to research the values of all my handguns for insurance and estate purposes.