New P-08 Collector

aff96 · 07-01-2010, 03:43 PM

Hello all!
I am brand new to the forum and just started collecting P-08's.

I've been collecting TR medals/badges for a few years and have a fairly extensive collection and I'm very active on WAF, as the corrct forum is very very educational and helpful.

So now onto P-08's that I have loved since I was a kid , I'm 58.

To date I only have my grandfather's 1920 commercial & a complete matching number 42 byf with holster etc.

I've read a dozen or so books (none of Jan Still's as I cannot find them) and watch several vidoes as well.

My question and I apologize for this lenghty post, is what models should I initially acquire with an interest in WW I & WW II era models?

For 1933 to 1945 I would think the more common i.e. S/42, 42 etc.

No clue about WW I models would be best to add initially??

Sorry to impose, expecially from a newby like me, but any suggustions would be so very helpful.

Thanks so much!

Happy 234 Birthday USA!

Greg

Norme · 07-01-2010, 04:18 PM

Hi Greg, Welcome to the forum. There are over 300 different Luger variations, which is one of the reasons they interest collectors so much. Unless you have unlimited resources, you won't be able to acquire them all, so my advice is to decide which era or country interests you the most, and then focus on that. Your first step should be to hit the books! Good luck collecting. Regards, Norm

aff96 · 07-01-2010, 05:17 PM

Thank you Norm!
Yep, that's why for now WWII era first & WWI era second.
Read a handful of books & looking for more.
Thanks again!
Greg

mrerick · 07-01-2010, 06:21 PM

If you check on Amazon you can find books like Kenyon's "Lugers at Random" and also used copies of John Walter's "The Luger Story". Both are useful.

Jan Still's books were published privately and had limited distribution. You can occasionally see them become available here and from booksellers that specialize in firearm books.

There are apparently some new books coming in the next months... Keep your eyes open.

Marc

FNorm · 07-01-2010, 08:52 PM

Second that. "Lugers at Random" is a good place to start. While it is dated, and has some errors it is a good first book. Maybe it's just around me, but I seem to be finding a lot of good Mauser era, lugers lately.

FN

aff96 · 07-05-2010, 01:57 PM

Thanks guys!
I've picked up & read Lugers at Random, The Luger Story by J Walter, The Luger Pistol by F Datig, The Luger Handbook by A Davis, P-08 Handbook (the little yellowbook) & just ordered J Still's newer book on Imperials. J Still's other 2 luger books (Third Reich & Imperial) I can't find at a less that super high price.
Also I found Simpson's website selling ton's of Luger's & assessories. Are the a good dealer? Any other directions?
Greatly appreciate the help!
Greg

DavidJayUden · 07-05-2010, 02:57 PM

My suggestion is that you put your money away and promise yourself not to buy more Lugers for, say, 90 days. Then start watching/studying all the transactions going on. You may miss a great deal but you are more likely to avoid costly mistakes.
dju

aff96 · 07-05-2010, 04:46 PM

Thanks David!
That's exactly what I have decided to do, wait for +- 90 days or so and study & educate myself.

That's what I did years ago when I started collecting TR medals/badges etc.

To date I only have my grandfather's 1920 commercial and my mint holstered "Black Widow."

Appreciate it a ton!
Greg

DavidJayUden · 07-05-2010, 05:05 PM

Well if your are going to start somewhere, those 2 Lugers are a very good place to begin. Say, you wouldn't have any knowledge of Nazi U-Boat sextants and their value would you?
dju

aff96 · 07-05-2010, 05:33 PM

Hi David,
I primarily only collect Badges/medasl and have a nice group of Schwerin U-Boot badges.
I did see one cased Uboot sextant sell sometime in the last couple of years for +- $1200 I believe.
You can post pics on the WAF forum I belong to:
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/index.php
and the Kriegs guys can sure help you out with authenticy and maybe value. If not you can email me pics & I'll be happy to post them for you.
affjm96@wavecable.com
Greg

tomaustin · 07-06-2010, 12:49 AM

get it out of the holster and also do not buckle-up the holster when empty....store the weapon outside the holster...there are several leather experts on here who will guide you........

Edward Tinker · 07-06-2010, 06:24 AM

Yes, those are good books for general knowledge, the more specialized are good to get at a later date (Gibson's Krieghoff lugers, the Simson book, Navy Lugers, the specific markings and acceptance books, etc)

You can spend a couple thousand on books; you ahve a fairly good start, although Jan's books are the best for each era.

Ed

aff96 · 07-06-2010, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Yes, those are good books for general knowledge, the more specialized are good to get at a later date (Gibson's Krieghoff lugers, the Simson book, Navy Lugers, the specific markings and acceptance books, etc)

You can spend a couple thousand on books; you ahve a fairly good start, although Jan's books are the best for each era.

Ed

Thanks Ed! I have just bought Jan's book on TR lugers from a member. I just bought your book as well, hopefully it will arrive soon!!!!!
I have at least 300 reference books for TR medals/badges and will follow suit with P-08's as well.
Just love reading reference books, can't believe what I've learned so far and money saved by studying
Appreciate it!
Greg

aff96 · 07-06-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomaustin

get it out of the holster and also do not buckle-up the holster when empty....store the weapon outside the holster...there are several leather experts on here who will guide you........

Thanks Tom! Yes I do not keep the 2 pieces in their holsters as I didn't want any holster wear.
Thank you for confirming what I thought!!
Appreciate it!
Greg

07-01-2010, 03:43 PM	#1
aff96 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New P-08 Collector Hello all! I am brand new to the forum and just started collecting P-08's. I've been collecting TR medals/badges for a few years and have a fairly extensive collection and I'm very active on WAF, as the corrct forum is very very educational and helpful. So now onto P-08's that I have loved since I was a kid , I'm 58. To date I only have my grandfather's 1920 commercial & a complete matching number 42 byf with holster etc. I've read a dozen or so books (none of Jan Still's as I cannot find them) and watch several vidoes as well. My question and I apologize for this lenghty post, is what models should I initially acquire with an interest in WW I & WW II era models? For 1933 to 1945 I would think the more common i.e. S/42, 42 etc. No clue about WW I models would be best to add initially?? Sorry to impose, expecially from a newby like me, but any suggustions would be so very helpful. Thanks so much! Happy 234 Birthday USA! Greg

07-06-2010, 12:49 AM	#11
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	aff96, if you really mean holstered, the recommendation of this forum is get it out of the holster and also do not buckle-up the holster when empty....store the weapon outside the holster...there are several leather experts on here who will guide you........

07-06-2010, 06:24 AM	#12
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,962 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	Yes, those are good books for general knowledge, the more specialized are good to get at a later date (Gibson's Krieghoff lugers, the Simson book, Navy Lugers, the specific markings and acceptance books, etc) You can spend a couple thousand on books; you ahve a fairly good start, although Jan's books are the best for each era. 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

07-01-2010, 04:18 PM	#2
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,607 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Greg, Welcome to the forum. There are over 300 different Luger variations, which is one of the reasons they interest collectors so much. Unless you have unlimited resources, you won't be able to acquire them all, so my advice is to decide which era or country interests you the most, and then focus on that. Your first step should be to hit the books! Good luck collecting. Regards, Norm

07-01-2010, 05:17 PM	#3
aff96 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you Norm! Yep, that's why for now WWII era first & WWI era second. Read a handful of books & looking for more. Thanks again! Greg

07-01-2010, 06:21 PM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,919 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	If you check on Amazon you can find books like Kenyon's "Lugers at Random" and also used copies of John Walter's "The Luger Story". Both are useful. Jan Still's books were published privately and had limited distribution. You can occasionally see them become available here and from booksellers that specialize in firearm books. There are apparently some new books coming in the next months... Keep your eyes open. Marc

07-01-2010, 08:52 PM	#5
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	Second that. "Lugers at Random" is a good place to start. While it is dated, and has some errors it is a good first book. Maybe it's just around me, but I seem to be finding a lot of good Mauser era, lugers lately. FN

07-05-2010, 01:57 PM	#6
aff96 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks guys! I've picked up & read Lugers at Random, The Luger Story by J Walter, The Luger Pistol by F Datig, The Luger Handbook by A Davis, P-08 Handbook (the little yellowbook) & just ordered J Still's newer book on Imperials. J Still's other 2 luger books (Third Reich & Imperial) I can't find at a less that super high price. Also I found Simpson's website selling ton's of Luger's & assessories. Are the a good dealer? Any other directions? Greatly appreciate the help! Greg

07-05-2010, 02:57 PM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	My suggestion is that you put your money away and promise yourself not to buy more Lugers for, say, 90 days. Then start watching/studying all the transactions going on. You may miss a great deal but you are more likely to avoid costly mistakes. dju

07-05-2010, 04:46 PM	#8
aff96 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks David! That's exactly what I have decided to do, wait for +- 90 days or so and study & educate myself. That's what I did years ago when I started collecting TR medals/badges etc. To date I only have my grandfather's 1920 commercial and my mint holstered "Black Widow." Appreciate it a ton! Greg

07-05-2010, 05:05 PM	#9
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Well if your are going to start somewhere, those 2 Lugers are a very good place to begin. Say, you wouldn't have any knowledge of Nazi U-Boat sextants and their value would you? dju

07-05-2010, 05:33 PM	#10
aff96 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 24 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi David, I primarily only collect Badges/medasl and have a nice group of Schwerin U-Boot badges. I did see one cased Uboot sextant sell sometime in the last couple of years for +- $1200 I believe. You can post pics on the WAF forum I belong to: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/index.php and the Kriegs guys can sure help you out with authenticy and maybe value. If not you can email me pics & I'll be happy to post them for you. affjm96@wavecable.com Greg