Some Major Gun Auction Advice Please

Jasta2 · 11-30-2009, 12:18 PM

In my search for Lugers I've had to rely mostly on the online auctions like 'Gunbroker' and 'Auction Arms'. The online Luger dealers like 'Simpsons' and 'Phoenixinvestments' look to be quite on the high dollar side.Nothing found at the local gun dealers. My question is, are the major gun auctions like 'Rock Island Armory' which is having a large gun auction starting Dec.5th I believe, and has 107 Lugers listed among 100s of others. All have a min/max sale est. like ( $1400-$2000 or $4000-$5500) as a sample. I take the final sale price could be both below and above these est prices.(plus 15% comm.) Are these large auctions a good place to drop a bid or two? Or should I wait untill I can attend local gun auctions and shows where I can handle the Luger? Sold-Sold-Sold, Sorry, watiching to many Barrett-Jackson car auctions on TV
Thanks,Bill

Ron Smith · 11-30-2009, 01:42 PM

RIA auctions aren't the best from what I have heard. They charge a premium (read commission) on top of the final selling price. Their descriptions aren't what could be called accurate either.

I have had my best luck on GB and AA. You can often negotiate with seller's, if you hold your tongue just right. Check Point Charlie is good to deal with, and his prices aren't bad.

Ron

abukafura · 11-30-2009, 07:52 PM

I second everything that Ron said. My experiences years ago with RIA were not good and their descriptions definitely are not valid. I think you will find a mixed bag of comments about Phoenix as well. Charley is a great guy and stands behind his stuff 100%.

Curly1 · 11-30-2009, 08:19 PM

+2 on Charlie, bought several pieces over the years and holsters, he doesnt have more than 1 pic each on his site but will send more upon request. Nice guy to talk to too. Yeah one of the pieces was a luger.

spartacus38 · 11-30-2009, 08:28 PM

Auctions are like walking through a minefield.

If you visibly check the items and know what you are doing

you can find some nice guns.Pictures are not good enough.

AA and GB are both good as long as you have an inspection

period.

It is a tough market out there unless you know what you are

doing.

Bob

Carl · 11-30-2009, 09:48 PM

Try local gun shows, sometimes dealers pick up a Luger that they underprice because of lack of knowledge. In the meantime buy as many books as you can afford. Remember knowledge is power. Here in PA, where I live, there is a gun show every weekend. Ask every person who has one to examine it including take it down if they will let you. The more you handle the more you will learn.

Carl

MikeP · 12-01-2009, 01:26 AM

Auctions are especially tough due to description variences and outright monkey business.
Buying something as much in demand as a Luger today can be problematic for anybody.
No simple answer.

Hands on knowledgeable inspection is best, and there are problems there.
Don't 'spose that helps much.

Tough days to start on Lugers.

lew1 · 12-01-2009, 07:31 AM

All of the above. Charlie stands behind his offerings. I have had good experiences with Amoskeag, bad experiences with RIA and Devine.

Best is to be able to physically hold it in hand.

I have always wondered though, considering how the auction houses go after the absentee bidders, why they do not offer more pictures, etc to them. Including standing behind what they orally say and an inspection period.

11-30-2009, 12:18 PM	#1
Jasta2 User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 514 Thanks: 349 Thanked 101 Times in 52 Posts	Some Major Gun Auction Advice Please In my search for Lugers I've had to rely mostly on the online auctions like 'Gunbroker' and 'Auction Arms'. The online Luger dealers like 'Simpsons' and 'Phoenixinvestments' look to be quite on the high dollar side.Nothing found at the local gun dealers. My question is, are the major gun auctions like 'Rock Island Armory' which is having a large gun auction starting Dec.5th I believe, and has 107 Lugers listed among 100s of others. All have a min/max sale est. like ( $1400-$2000 or $4000-$5500) as a sample. I take the final sale price could be both below and above these est prices.(plus 15% comm.) Are these large auctions a good place to drop a bid or two? Or should I wait untill I can attend local gun auctions and shows where I can handle the Luger? Sold-Sold-Sold, Sorry, watiching to many Barrett-Jackson car auctions on TV Thanks,Bill

11-30-2009, 01:42 PM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	RIA auctions aren't the best from what I have heard. They charge a premium (read commission) on top of the final selling price. Their descriptions aren't what could be called accurate either. I have had my best luck on GB and AA. You can often negotiate with seller's, if you hold your tongue just right. Check Point Charlie is good to deal with, and his prices aren't bad. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

11-30-2009, 08:19 PM	#4
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,247 Thanks: 125 Thanked 717 Times in 374 Posts	+2 on Charlie, bought several pieces over the years and holsters, he doesnt have more than 1 pic each on his site but will send more upon request. Nice guy to talk to too. Yeah one of the pieces was a luger. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

12-01-2009, 07:31 AM	#8
lew1 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 82 Thanked 204 Times in 112 Posts	All of the above. Charlie stands behind his offerings. I have had good experiences with Amoskeag, bad experiences with RIA and Devine. Best is to be able to physically hold it in hand. I have always wondered though, considering how the auction houses go after the absentee bidders, why they do not offer more pictures, etc to them. Including standing behind what they orally say and an inspection period. __________________ charlie

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-30-2009, 07:52 PM	#3
abukafura Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, near Greeen Bay Posts: 327 Thanks: 1,314 Thanked 90 Times in 57 Posts	I second everything that Ron said. My experiences years ago with RIA were not good and their descriptions definitely are not valid. I think you will find a mixed bag of comments about Phoenix as well. Charley is a great guy and stands behind his stuff 100%.

11-30-2009, 08:28 PM	#5
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	Auctions are like walking through a minefield. If you visibly check the items and know what you are doing you can find some nice guns.Pictures are not good enough. AA and GB are both good as long as you have an inspection period. It is a tough market out there unless you know what you are doing. Bob

11-30-2009, 09:48 PM	#6
Carl User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Central PA Posts: 113 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Try local gun shows, sometimes dealers pick up a Luger that they underprice because of lack of knowledge. In the meantime buy as many books as you can afford. Remember knowledge is power. Here in PA, where I live, there is a gun show every weekend. Ask every person who has one to examine it including take it down if they will let you. The more you handle the more you will learn. Carl

12-01-2009, 01:26 AM	#7
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Auctions are especially tough due to description variences and outright monkey business. Buying something as much in demand as a Luger today can be problematic for anybody. No simple answer. Hands on knowledgeable inspection is best, and there are problems there. Don't 'spose that helps much. Tough days to start on Lugers.