Wanting to buy a "Vickers"

[Ron Wood]

If indeed it has not been refinished and is in 95% or better original condition, that is a reasonably good deal. Because of the tropical conditions where the Vickers and DWM Lugers were employed, the Dutch routinely reworked, rebarreled and refinished their service pistols. If you look at the barrel, you may see a small date stamp indicating that the pistol was reworked and indicating the year it was last reworked. There may also be a small â??GSâ?� stamp indicating an arsenal rework.

Since this was a standard practice, like the Swiss Lugers that were also periodically maintained, this arsenal rework does not detract much from the value of a Dutch Luger. A period arsenal rework probably commands at least 90% of the value of an original factory finished piece in equivalent condition (until you get up to the 98+% original finish level, then the sky is the limit). Of course a modern â??Bubbaâ??s basementâ?� refinish knocks the value way down. The Luger you are considering, if a period arsenal rework in 95% or better condition with NO or very tiny pitting over a very small area (under the grip pitting is common and should be expected unless you are extremely lucky) is likely worth close to the asking price.

Vickers Lugers are probably the most difficult Dutch Lugers to acquire, particularly in factory original finish.