My First Luger Twelve Years Ago~

[cirelaw]

1906 French Contract! What was your first please? Thank You All For Over A Decade Of Friendship And Allot More! Eric

[DonVoigt]

Eric,,
My first was a worn out Erfurt in 1967, bought it at a "trade" lot; stopped to shoot on the way home and it would not "work"- typical jams - that I could fix now but not then. I drove straight to a gun shop and traded it for something else.

Fast forward 25 years, to my second luger; bought an "artillery". Beautiful - always wanted one- was inspecting it at my table after it was mine- noticed it had two rear sights- the one on the barrel and the one on the toggle! Tried to find the "old man" who sold it to me, but he was long gone! (I should have spent my money on books- like we advise folks to do now..)

Fast forward another 25 years or so to 2013( I was kind of "bummed" on lugers)- to my third attempt at luger ownership.

My L1 is a nice police model 1917/1920 "double date" from Merseburg that got me started on my current slide into luger never - never land. I don't have a picture of it alone, but here it is with My L6 , another police model I bought from Don Maus. You will notice both of these are former artillery lugers with 4" barrels installed.

Now I have more than 80 of the danged things.

Here are pictures first of the recent spree and a "good" one!

[cirelaw]

Don, a wonderful History! TKS

[Sergio Natali]

Eric

My very first Luger was a Russian capture that I bought in order to learn how to disassemble and reassemble it.
I took it several times to the range then in the end I traded it for something else (a nice Erfurt if I remember correctly).

[Bill_in_VA]

80, Don??? Holy cow! I thoughtI had a bunch at 13.

My first was a Century Arms import byf42 - mostly matching (sear, toggle axel, hold-open stippled over.) I bought it back around 1994 (?) from a local gun shop for $395. They a dozen or more st that price for me to choose from. I still have and it's one of my [two] shooters.

[cirelaw]

Sergio, do you still own your first!!!

[cirelaw]

I have 20 and I promised Debbby no more. Three beautiful grandchildren took their place!

[RShaw]

80 Lugers?!! 13?? 20?? Wow! Can't imagine that really.....
I should have started this far earlier.... But... no worries. Now is now and the future is wide open! I have a GRAND total of 2 (two) Luger P08's ... a 1917 DWM collector piece, and a 1918 reblued DWM which I will soon acquire as a shooter. By Dutch law I can only have 2 firearms more on my license, unless I get a license as a collector- which I am looking into now.

But I am having fun, and learning all kinds of interesting things... this forum is invaluable. Also looking into several books... I should have acquired those first.

[cirelaw]

Bob, I guess you are very lucky that you can own any! Great Stuff! Thank You~

[RShaw]

Yes I am... very true. These works of art ARE expensive though.. but fascinating. Perhaps a bigger (+) is that a new world is opening in terms of making new friends with this interest in common, both here on the forum and at the shooting club of which I am a part. Becoming a collector here is not so difficult.. then I am able to own as many as I want. ($ permitting of course)

To maintain a collector's license, one needs to show that the collection "has a function" which means giving a talk once in a while, or promoting the preservation of history in other ways. Still learning how this works. Also one needs to define a specific description of one's collection- ie. "German military pistols from WWII" or "Luger P08 pistols" or ..... "Colt revolvers"
Then one may collect only firearms which are included in that description, not additional firearms outside that description. (except the 5 allowed on a shooting license.)

Interesting..........

[cirelaw]

WAY COOL!!!!!! A great way to pass along a life time your passion. I encourage us all and take a few minutes to post your addiction, one of which you will never cure and share your thoughts, knowledge and hints. Please post some pictures of Luger Family Photo Albums~~ Eric

[RShaw]

Actually, after losing my job in Germany now a year ago, I have much more time for hobbies and "addictions." I am now working as an "English language coach" at a school near here- I would be able to give a talk on the history.. mechanics.. other aspects of these firearms to students and staff... getting new people interested would be a great function of a collection I think. This would be great fun to do...

[cirelaw]

A Fine Kick Ass Attitude!!!! A Warm Welcome~

[RShaw]

Thank you

[cirelaw]

All Over 100 Years Old!

[RShaw]

These are beautiful guns Eric.. WOW!! Enjoy them!! Do you ever have a chance to show them at schools or shooting clubs... collector meetings? That would be great fun! Once you have a big enough collection... you would have "extras" for trade to acquire others to make a series or "mini collection....". VERY cool ). "Luger addition" must be a recognized condition in some obscure medical journal somewhere. Very contagious )

[cirelaw]

Thank You, I wanted a sample of each! I'm somewhat restricted by a stroke years ago and have difficulty travelling to even local gunshows! I gave up on drugs and alcohol and married my third wife Debby, A wife who also loves lugers. Years ago I purchased a 1920 Luger Carbine for her that I will post tomorow! I treat it as an I.R.A. funded with lugers. I have to thank members of each of our Forums and George Anderson who fueled my addiction. Thank You~ Eric

[RShaw]

Hi Eric,
Sounds like you have overcome a difficult limitation with a unique approach! My wife really isn't into guns at all but she recognizes my American side and lets me have my fun. (My wife is Dutch) I look forward to your post tomorrow....So what do you look for to expand your collection..? Or, how do you decide what to buy and what to pass up when you go to auctions or gun shows?

[cirelaw]

Thank You, due to a stroke 15 years ago, I'm somewhat restricted. Most gunshow sell more beef jerky than real guns. Our forum member can supply all my needs! My third wife is a charm and bought my my 1920 Carbine that I will post! I have 20, a sample of each and I thank my God daily for being so generous to us both. Lugers are my life! Their beauty, history and Accessories. Most of all the friendships that will out live everything else. Windmills and bicycles and so much more. Someday maybe a visit. Spread the word! Eric

[cirelaw]

PM Sent!!