My Trip To Ralph's...

Well, I just concluded my trip to Ralph Shattuck's wonderful home and luger HEAVEN...!


I am happy for the chance to go into my local gun shop and see maybe 6-8 lugers. I just went into shock seeing over 1,000 lugers, IN ONE PLACE!!! I think I am still sweating...


I did pick up an "un-advertised" 06/24 Swiss in very, very, very excellent (dare I say almost Minty) shape with pristine border checked grips !


I will post some photos this weekend when I get back home.


I am glad that I got to Ralph's place before the Forum members decended for the Luger Fest.


I do not think this 06/24 Swiss would have made it through the visit by you folks !


I am so excited to have purchased this, my 2nd. luger (my first real collector piece) and do appreciate all the Forum members' help and advice to this Luger newcomer.


Now,... off to start hunting my 3rd. luger...

[Herb]

Just like at a garage sale, someone always gets there early to grab the good stuff!!!!! LOL

[Dan Clemons]

Congratulations Pete:


Somehow Ralph seems to find the best of the best. You did the right thing buying as close to mint as you can afford. How hard was it trying to decide which one you wanted?


You just added a new family heirloom to the ebbink estate! I can't wait to see your photos.


I plan on taking a shopping cart to Peoria March 2nd.


Dan

Pete! We can't believe you went and handled all the "merchandise" before we got there!!


I guess you could say you were warming up the car?


I am excited about going on a trip for fun, since I always go for work, it'll be different to go for me!


Ed

[Thor]

Congrats Pete, Ralph's place is too cool huh! And meeting Ralph and Nancy is equally fun, they will roll out the red carpet for their guests. I am just curious how the top of the toggle on your Swiss Luger is marked? Thanks! Enjoy a really nice Luger!!! The Swiss Lugers have some of the most BEAUTIFUL bluing on them!

~Thor~

Ted,


The toggle has three engraved lines :


1. 1st. line is an engraved swiss cross.

2. 2nd. line says "Waffenfabrik".

3. 3rd. line says "Bern".


The toggle looks just like in the Blue Book, on page 829.


Lots of swiss cross proof marks on lots of places on the luger, as well.


You're right about the beautiful finish on the 06/24 Swiss gun. I am still in shock Ralph offered me this luger and that I actually bought it...


Ralph also gave me a neat gold-colored luger pistol lapel-pin...


Ralph let me hold a Hiram Maxim carbine (he bought for $ 1250.00 in the 50's and is now worth the sky...)


I can't believe how many (repeat, MANY) nice lugers he has...it's just not fair for one guy to have so many !

Dan,


You'll need to shopping cart for two reasons :


1. To bring your new lugers home; no doubt...

2. But you'll need it to bring your cash !!! (Ha! Ha!)


I came to Ralph's with my "Acquisition Plan". (My wife teases me that I create a plan for everything in my life...)That is, for each luger era (Imperial, Weimar, 3rd. Reich, and Post-WW2) I had listed 2-3 lugers on my wish list. This plan will guide me over the next 2-3 years of luger hunting.


A 06/24 Swiss was on my list for the Imperial era.


Ralph also took some time and reviewed my plan/list and he thought it was a well-rounded list that I should be able to fill up for $ 10-12K. I seem to have researched/picked lugers on my list that are more rare and were made in fewer numbers.


Picking out my 06/24 Swiss was not hard. I went to look at another Swiss he "advertised" on his inventory list. I saw it and it was in fine shape. But then he placed this other 06/24 Swiss next to it and it was no comparison. And he sold it to me for the same price !!!


I also had Ralph show me some other nice lugers in the $ 1500 to $ 2000 price range (also on my Acquisition Plan), but nothing was quite as nice after he brought out the 06/24. Of course, I did pay more for it, though...

[Thor]

WOW!!!Thor

[Dok]

Oh I wouldn't feel TOO bad... I hear he's willing to part with them...


Dok