Where are these $300~$400 dollar lugers?

don_locke · 01-26-2010, 10:08 PM

Hello all,
Ever since I've been a little boy, I've been fascinated with lugers. Recently I stumbled upon your site and was reading a bit in the general information page. I was astounded to read that, according to the article, a shooter model can be had for around $300-$400 dollars. But where to look? Honestly, I'm still in the process of learning, and I really don't care if it's an all matching, collectors model. Just something pre-WWII, with a decent finish and that can squeeze off a few rounds without going to crap. What manufacturer would be ideal for my purposes and where could I find one potentially?
Thanks in advance! and kudos to what seems like the most professional gun-forum i've seen.

jonnyc · 01-26-2010, 10:17 PM

Well, you asked the magic question. The answer is...they don't seem to exist.
Although plentiful in the marketplace, every one seems to be a rare collectible. The prices of the good ones tend to artificially drive up the prices of the junky ones. A couple of years ago I paid $450 for my first "shooter". About $100 later it actually was a good "shooter". Then I traded up to a $700 "shooter" and I'll probably stick with that one.
With a bit of patience and luck you might be in the right place, at the right time someday.
Best.

alvin · 01-27-2010, 07:52 AM

Just noticed no such a thing on GB. But in theory, it's still possible and deserves a try. For example, RIA Regional has many guns selling in small bulk, if acquiring price is right, you get 3 or 4 guns, then you sell 2 or 3 of them, the one left could be ended up in the range, or even cheaper depends on your acquiring price and selling price.

The following is just an example, they carry quite a few batches having Lugers inside. Of course, the acquiring price must be "right" to achieve that goal.

Estimate: 1200 - 1800 for four. If you get the bulk at 1200, even pre-BP, you can achieve the goal. If getting them at 1800 post-BP, it's still possible to achieve the goal.

You can ambush there, and waiting appropriate deal. They have many. In worst case senario, you did not get it, but cost you virtually nothing.

http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie...014&iid=249228

Lugerdoc · 01-27-2010, 10:14 AM

I would bet that this group sells in excess of $3K and perhaps as much as $6K if all items are matching. I'm afraid that the days of $39.95 (or even $400) lugers, are long gone. Twenty years ago, I was purchasing mismatched imports for $350 in lots of 10 and selling them for $500 each. Now I have to pay at least that much for a non-pitted one to part out. TH

Edward Tinker · 01-27-2010, 10:54 AM

That article is about 9 years old, I need to figure out how to update (I admin but only for some things).

The cheapest luger I have seen is around $450 and that was nickled or chromed (besides a couple of VERY pitted lugers) and I resold it for $550; normal price for a reblued or very worn is around $600-$700

If its a WW2 era, its more than a weimar or WW1 era; and expect mismatched parts, reblued etc.

ed

alvin · 01-27-2010, 06:09 PM

Let's assume $800 can be sold for each gun through other channels, (e.g. on gunbroker.com). The goal is to cut one gun's cost from $800 to $400. Then $800 x 3 + $400 = $2800. Considering 15% BP, the bidding cap is around $2400.

If RIA has reserve on the group, the reserve should be lower than their lower-end estimation. Of course, the final price is decided by the market. If people buying these for reselling, they are unlikely to bid high. They must calcuate cost and profit. It's a business, not hobby anymore.

===

[Edit] If acquired at $6k, averagely each goes to $1500, immediate profitable reselling becomes mission impossible.

Curly1 · 01-27-2010, 07:33 PM

I got lucky a couple of years ago, there was a reblue at my longtime dealers case for $795, didnt pay any attention to it till a year later it was $495

I asked to see it and was told I could have it for $400 OTD and OTD it went.

Turns out it was a Landjagerer unit marked Luger, Eagle/WaA66 stamp on the right receiver. The Eagle/WaA66 stamp is only reported on 29 DWM Lugers.

So you never know what you are gonna fall into.

Rogerdog · 03-11-2010, 04:03 PM

The Rock Island regional is exactly what I just did.

I bid on this lot http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie...014&iid=252582

My final price plus 15% was $2070.00. In my neck of the woods the Smith and the Colt will sell quick at 500 apiece. That leaves me the 1916 LP08 and the 1918 P08 for $1070. Now I'm keeping both Lugers but if I wanted to liquidate the LP08 I could probably end up with the P08 for free.

Sure the lugers aren't showpieces but those white grips sure are pimpin'.

01-26-2010, 10:08 PM	#1
don_locke New User Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Where are these $300~$400 dollar lugers? Hello all, Ever since I've been a little boy, I've been fascinated with lugers. Recently I stumbled upon your site and was reading a bit in the general information page. I was astounded to read that, according to the article, a shooter model can be had for around $300-$400 dollars. But where to look? Honestly, I'm still in the process of learning, and I really don't care if it's an all matching, collectors model. Just something pre-WWII, with a decent finish and that can squeeze off a few rounds without going to crap. What manufacturer would be ideal for my purposes and where could I find one potentially? Thanks in advance! and kudos to what seems like the most professional gun-forum i've seen.

01-27-2010, 10:14 AM	#4
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	I would bet that this group sells in excess of $3K and perhaps as much as $6K if all items are matching. I'm afraid that the days of $39.95 (or even $400) lugers, are long gone. Twenty years ago, I was purchasing mismatched imports for $350 in lots of 10 and selling them for $500 each. Now I have to pay at least that much for a non-pitted one to part out. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-27-2010, 10:54 AM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	That article is about 9 years old, I need to figure out how to update (I admin but only for some things). The cheapest luger I have seen is around $450 and that was nickled or chromed (besides a couple of VERY pitted lugers) and I resold it for $550; normal price for a reblued or very worn is around $600-$700 If its a WW2 era, its more than a weimar or WW1 era; and expect mismatched parts, reblued etc. ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

01-27-2010, 07:33 PM	#7
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,230 Thanks: 113 Thanked 703 Times in 365 Posts	I got lucky a couple of years ago, there was a reblue at my longtime dealers case for $795, didnt pay any attention to it till a year later it was $495 I asked to see it and was told I could have it for $400 OTD and OTD it went. Turns out it was a Landjagerer unit marked Luger, Eagle/WaA66 stamp on the right receiver. The Eagle/WaA66 stamp is only reported on 29 DWM Lugers. So you never know what you are gonna fall into. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

01-26-2010, 10:17 PM	#2
jonnyc User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 425 Thanks: 2 Thanked 46 Times in 34 Posts	Well, you asked the magic question. The answer is...they don't seem to exist. Although plentiful in the marketplace, every one seems to be a rare collectible. The prices of the good ones tend to artificially drive up the prices of the junky ones. A couple of years ago I paid $450 for my first "shooter". About $100 later it actually was a good "shooter". Then I traded up to a $700 "shooter" and I'll probably stick with that one. With a bit of patience and luck you might be in the right place, at the right time someday. Best.

01-27-2010, 07:52 AM	#3
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Just noticed no such a thing on GB. But in theory, it's still possible and deserves a try. For example, RIA Regional has many guns selling in small bulk, if acquiring price is right, you get 3 or 4 guns, then you sell 2 or 3 of them, the one left could be ended up in the range, or even cheaper depends on your acquiring price and selling price. The following is just an example, they carry quite a few batches having Lugers inside. Of course, the acquiring price must be "right" to achieve that goal. Estimate: 1200 - 1800 for four. If you get the bulk at 1200, even pre-BP, you can achieve the goal. If getting them at 1800 post-BP, it's still possible to achieve the goal. You can ambush there, and waiting appropriate deal. They have many. In worst case senario, you did not get it, but cost you virtually nothing. http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie...014&iid=249228

01-27-2010, 06:09 PM	#6
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Let's assume $800 can be sold for each gun through other channels, (e.g. on gunbroker.com). The goal is to cut one gun's cost from $800 to $400. Then $800 x 3 + $400 = $2800. Considering 15% BP, the bidding cap is around $2400. If RIA has reserve on the group, the reserve should be lower than their lower-end estimation. Of course, the final price is decided by the market. If people buying these for reselling, they are unlikely to bid high. They must calcuate cost and profit. It's a business, not hobby anymore. === [Edit] If acquired at $6k, averagely each goes to $1500, immediate profitable reselling becomes mission impossible.

03-11-2010, 04:03 PM	#8
Rogerdog New User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The Rock Island regional is exactly what I just did. I bid on this lot http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie...014&iid=252582 My final price plus 15% was $2070.00. In my neck of the woods the Smith and the Colt will sell quick at 500 apiece. That leaves me the 1916 LP08 and the 1918 P08 for $1070. Now I'm keeping both Lugers but if I wanted to liquidate the LP08 I could probably end up with the P08 for free. Sure the lugers aren't showpieces but those white grips sure are pimpin'.