Looking for my FIRST Luger.

James_Dean · 10-01-2012, 01:44 PM

Have read a lot recently on this forum. Thanks to all for what looks like a lifetime of input and discussion.

Gun show is local in 2 weeks and I want to look for my first Luger. Have always been a history buff and WWII is a particularly interesting time span for many reasons so that range would be my first choice.

My father was retired Air Force and I lived in France and Germany for 6 years during the 1960's. I remember him having a Luger at one time but its long gone now.

I want a NICE shooter to start with I think. My concern is reblueing right now? Trying to understand the "when" and "when not". It looks as though a reblue would de-value the piece to the $500-$600 range? My question is WHY reblue at all then? Is there ever a time when reblueing makes sense? Should I be concerned with this for my first purchase?

Thanks for any feedback and I look forward to learning more here soon.

mrerick · 10-01-2012, 02:33 PM

Hi Dean, and welcome to the forum.

What part of the USA are you in?

Here in the SE (North Carolina) I have very rarely seen a Luger fairly offered or priced at a gun show. Almost everything at the local shows is improperly described and grossly overpriced. When the dealers see a knowledgeable Luger buyer, they show little interest in discussing what they have since they are generally aware of what they are doing.

There are special shows oriented to firearms collectors that are more fair.

Just be very careful shopping at shows.

Your question is well taken. Lugers are most interesting when at their historic (original) best. Years ago, they were not appreciated that way. That's why you see refinishing and chrome / nickle plating.

Marc

James_Dean · 10-01-2012, 04:48 PM

Hi Marc,
I am in North east Mississippi right now. Hope to be relocating to las vegas in the spring. The "show" I spoke of is in Tupelo Mississippi 10-12 to 10-14.

About 5 years ago I guess I went to a gun show in Knoxville Tn. There I ment a very nice collector that had several Lugers for sale. Lugers only if I remember right. I spent an hour or 2 with him showing me the numbers, marks to look for. Very helpfull. I wish I could remember his name but it excapes me. I hope maybe he is a member here. I would guess he was later 50's or early 60's.

So am I to understand the earlier Lugers will generally MORE $$ than WWII dated ones? I would of guessed the other way.

I have added my location as I know thats something needed at times. Sorry I had left that out.

Curly1 · 10-01-2012, 04:56 PM

Welcome to the forum James.

Keep an eye out in the WTS section here as shooters do come up for sale.

James_Dean · 10-01-2012, 05:39 PM

I will do that Gary, Thanks.

Dean

DavidJayUden · 10-01-2012, 06:04 PM

Also consider posting something up in the WTB section.
dju

James_Dean · 10-01-2012, 07:33 PM

Good idea dju...I just want to be careful and buy from a GOOD seller.

Edward Tinker · 10-01-2012, 08:00 PM

NO, WW2 lugers generally sell for more than any other era IMHO

James_Dean · 10-01-2012, 08:39 PM

Okay...thanks. Thats sounds right to me.

DavidJayUden · 10-01-2012, 09:07 PM

JD:
Regarding your desire to buy from a good seller, your chances are far better here on the Luger Forum. They go down progressively as you approach GunBroker, Private listings, gun shows, pawn shops, etc. And if you get interested in something that a forum member has for sale ask him for forum members with whom they have done previous business, and check them out. If nione of us has heard of the seller then it may be a red flag. And always insist on a 3 day non-firing inspection period.
dju

James_Dean · 10-01-2012, 09:57 PM

All very good advice...I do think this would be the place to find the right weapon.

CAP Black · 10-02-2012, 04:47 PM

Hi JD:
There are some cases when re-bluing should be done. Even some cases it could raise the FMV of the item. For instance I have an artillery that has seen much, much action - I presume war action. It has no bluing left and is rather shabby looking. Before too long I will have the item restored and then I would think it will be worth somewhat more. At least I will like looking at it more. The value probably won't increase as much as it will cost to have restored, though.

James_Dean · 10-02-2012, 05:56 PM

Understood. Thanks for the feedback. I am not THAT worried about the value issue as much as saving history. I have never understood the "over" concern about value in a hobby. Its suppose to be about what makes us happy isn't it ? Of couse no one WANTS to waste money...but its more than that to me anyway.

10-01-2012, 01:44 PM	#1
James_Dean User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ms. USA Posts: 16 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Looking for my FIRST Luger. Have read a lot recently on this forum. Thanks to all for what looks like a lifetime of input and discussion. Gun show is local in 2 weeks and I want to look for my first Luger. Have always been a history buff and WWII is a particularly interesting time span for many reasons so that range would be my first choice. My father was retired Air Force and I lived in France and Germany for 6 years during the 1960's. I remember him having a Luger at one time but its long gone now. I want a NICE shooter to start with I think. My concern is reblueing right now? Trying to understand the "when" and "when not". It looks as though a reblue would de-value the piece to the $500-$600 range? My question is WHY reblue at all then? Is there ever a time when reblueing makes sense? Should I be concerned with this for my first purchase? Thanks for any feedback and I look forward to learning more here soon.

10-01-2012, 02:33 PM	#2
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	Hi Dean, and welcome to the forum. What part of the USA are you in? Here in the SE (North Carolina) I have very rarely seen a Luger fairly offered or priced at a gun show. Almost everything at the local shows is improperly described and grossly overpriced. When the dealers see a knowledgeable Luger buyer, they show little interest in discussing what they have since they are generally aware of what they are doing. There are special shows oriented to firearms collectors that are more fair. Just be very careful shopping at shows. Your question is well taken. Lugers are most interesting when at their historic (original) best. Years ago, they were not appreciated that way. That's why you see refinishing and chrome / nickle plating. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

10-01-2012, 04:56 PM	#4
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,236 Thanks: 116 Thanked 708 Times in 369 Posts	Welcome to the forum James. Keep an eye out in the WTS section here as shooters do come up for sale. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

10-01-2012, 04:48 PM	#3
James_Dean User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ms. USA Posts: 16 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Marc, I am in North east Mississippi right now. Hope to be relocating to las vegas in the spring. The "show" I spoke of is in Tupelo Mississippi 10-12 to 10-14. About 5 years ago I guess I went to a gun show in Knoxville Tn. There I ment a very nice collector that had several Lugers for sale. Lugers only if I remember right. I spent an hour or 2 with him showing me the numbers, marks to look for. Very helpfull. I wish I could remember his name but it excapes me. I hope maybe he is a member here. I would guess he was later 50's or early 60's. So am I to understand the earlier Lugers will generally MORE $$ than WWII dated ones? I would of guessed the other way. I have added my location as I know thats something needed at times. Sorry I had left that out.

10-01-2012, 05:39 PM	#5
James_Dean User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ms. USA Posts: 16 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I will do that Gary, Thanks. Dean

10-01-2012, 06:04 PM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Also consider posting something up in the WTB section. dju

10-01-2012, 07:33 PM	#7
James_Dean User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ms. USA Posts: 16 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Good idea dju...I just want to be careful and buy from a GOOD seller.

10-01-2012, 08:00 PM	#8
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,524 Times in 2,090 Posts	NO, WW2 lugers generally sell for more than any other era IMHO

10-01-2012, 08:39 PM	#9
James_Dean User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ms. USA Posts: 16 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Okay...thanks. Thats sounds right to me.

10-01-2012, 09:07 PM	#10
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	JD: Regarding your desire to buy from a good seller, your chances are far better here on the Luger Forum. They go down progressively as you approach GunBroker, Private listings, gun shows, pawn shops, etc. And if you get interested in something that a forum member has for sale ask him for forum members with whom they have done previous business, and check them out. If nione of us has heard of the seller then it may be a red flag. And always insist on a 3 day non-firing inspection period. dju

10-01-2012, 09:57 PM	#11
James_Dean User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ms. USA Posts: 16 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	All very good advice...I do think this would be the place to find the right weapon.

10-02-2012, 04:47 PM	#12
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 168 Times in 96 Posts	Hi JD: There are some cases when re-bluing should be done. Even some cases it could raise the FMV of the item. For instance I have an artillery that has seen much, much action - I presume war action. It has no bluing left and is rather shabby looking. Before too long I will have the item restored and then I would think it will be worth somewhat more. At least I will like looking at it more. The value probably won't increase as much as it will cost to have restored, though.

10-02-2012, 05:56 PM	#13
James_Dean User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Columbus, Ms. USA Posts: 16 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Understood. Thanks for the feedback. I am not THAT worried about the value issue as much as saving history. I have never understood the "over" concern about value in a hobby. Its suppose to be about what makes us happy isn't it ? Of couse no one WANTS to waste money...but its more than that to me anyway.