Help with Luger Value! Should I Buy?

[Zorba]

Originally Posted by Jack Lawman

What Jason was really wondering, was if collectors still like to use the term "black widow" to describe these lugers, or if we could come up with a newer, perhaps better term. As I stated above, I don't care either way. If someone comes up with a better name fine. Otherwise, I'll just call them "byf41" or "byf42" with black grips.

This is a two edged sword. As a total NOOB, I do like the term - but I know (just) enough to understand why it would annoy long timers.

But trying to replace a term that has (apparently) become this widespread can be very problematic. As a few of you know, I am a Belly Dancer. There are those in the Belly Dance world who really detest that term, and push for something else. It isn't working. The general public knows it as "Belly Dance" and I don't see that changing anytime soon. A similar situation exists with the term "Cabaret", in reference to the "Cabaret Style" of Belly Dance. "Cabaret" means "strip club" in most of the world; but not in America, where the term originates. So almost everyone calls "American Cabaret Belly Dance" - you guessed it: "American Cabaret Belly Dance" much to the annoyance of the ones who would change it.

Come full circle to "Black Widow". It may not be authentic, but everyone involved knows what it means - like it or not - and the term most likely won't go away. That being the case, just like "Belly Dance" or "Cabaret" - its a pointless use of energy to try to change it at this point in time, might as well embrace it.

Dems me thoughts - I have a nice picture of a "Black Widow" as computer wallpaper that I'm looking at as I write this. The only difference I can see between it and a non- is that it has black grips!

[Jack Lawman]

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" could easily be replaced by "A black gripped luger by any other name would look as badass". I guess it all comes down to just how anal retentive one happens to be. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_retentiveness

Personally, I don't care either way. I'll call it whatever you'd like. I'll go out on a limb and say that many who dislike the term "Black Widow" have no problem referring to the "United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1" as a "Garand". It's not quite the same, but it's not much different.

Jack

By the way, nice luger!