Go For it OR Stay Away

UF-28 · 01-24-2014, 03:10 PM

Gentlemen, Im looking to purchase my first P-08 Artillery luger
i have no photos but will describe them best as i can
1) 1918 9mm serial # 91xxb There is about 93% original blue. The bulk of the loss is usual,the muzzule,some silvering of sharp edges,slight graying of the gripstraps, and the usual flaking on the side plate and adjacent steel panel. the straw is about 65% the walnut grips are in nice shape, no chips or cracks,some mild point flattening
All numbered parts match, including the correct walnut base magazine,with the exception of the grips.The bore is really nice ,very sharp and crisp with a light scattered graying.
Priced at $ 2795.00 ............ is this a fair price?

2) 1917 9mm ser.# 17xxe .This one is very clean. Retaining about 97-98% of original blue.the little there is ,is restricted to the muzzleedge,frame rail, side plate,and slight silvering on the sharp edges.I dont see any pits or flaking anywhere.The grip straps look new. The strawed parts about 98% . The walnut grips are unblemished no stains or flattening.The bore is bright ,crisp without any evidence of much use.
Priced At $3195.00.............. is this a fair price.

Please give me an honest assesment from what i have described of each . Im eager to buy but i dont want to get burned. All comments and advice will be greatly appreciated. Id figure id run this past my Luger Brothers so as not to make a hasty purchase.

Thanks guys
RJ

mrerick · 01-24-2014, 03:14 PM

Without photos it's very difficult to give any reliable advice. Even with them it is difficult to judge finish.

Both prices seem very high. Perhaps 40% over fair collector price.

Check one of the reliable online dealers like checkpointcharlies.com or Simpson Ltd...

To be clear, unless there is something very very special about these, you would get burned at these prices in my opinion.

Marc

DavidJayUden · 01-24-2014, 03:23 PM

RJ:
Unfortunately, there is no "book" to go to for an exact figure.
I've been seeing Artillery Lugers, matching but probably not as nice as you describe, at around $2200. Like Marc says, check Simpsons, and decide for yourself if they are a good deal. Of course if anything, orig. stock, holster, etc. goes with them that makes the deal more attractive.
Does this help?
dju

spartacus38 · 01-24-2014, 03:23 PM

I specialize in collecting Artillery Lugers and their accessories.
I will be glad to discuss this with you.
Please private email your number and I will give you a call.
spartacus38@charter.net
Bob

sheepherder · 01-24-2014, 03:52 PM

I'm curious...What do you mean by 'flaking'???

"...and the usual flaking on the side plate..."

I've had five Lugers and don't recall any having problems with 'flaking'...

George Anderson · 01-24-2014, 06:14 PM

Due to rarity the 1918 is a better buy.

UF-28 · 01-24-2014, 06:40 PM

I should have said the blueing failing ,wearing , or fading , my bad

lugerholsterrepair · 01-24-2014, 08:01 PM

Of the 2... I am with George..the 1918 with a matching mag.

sheepherder · 01-24-2014, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UF-28

I should have said the blueing failing ,wearing , or fading , my bad

...Like 'speckles' where there's no blue???

gunbugs · 01-25-2014, 09:57 PM

A fellow who had way more experience than me in trading guns told me one day: "You can never pay too much for a good gun, you can only pay too early." The high price you pay today will become the average, or bargain with time. How long a time is the question. Unless you are buying them with the intent to sell in the not too distant future, then price is THE determining factor. If you have the money, you like the gun, and it isn't taking food off the table to do it, then go for it. You can always make reasonable offers. Worst thing that can happen is the seller says "No."

lugerholsterrepair · 01-25-2014, 10:03 PM

Worst thing that can happen is the seller says "No." Sometimes it's the "best" thing too!

Sergio Natali · 01-26-2014, 04:56 AM

First of welcome to this forum of Luger aficionados, where I'm sure you'll find many answers of your interest.
I'm afraid it's almost impossible to give a reliable advice without detailed photos; I agreee that the prices are on the high side, and must always be strictly related to the quality of the gun.
IMHO

Geo99 · 02-01-2014, 09:55 PM

Fellas,

Are you sure you're not a little low in your price estimates?

Can you please tell me where I can get a 98% 1917 artillery for $2300? I would love to buy one at that price.

Still looking, still dreaming,
- Geo

DavidJayUden · 02-02-2014, 01:00 AM

I'm scouring the thread and not finding any reference to a 98% 1917 at $2300. Help us out here.

dju

01-24-2014, 03:10 PM	#1
UF-28 User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Toms River,NJ Posts: 37 Thanks: 56 Thanked 14 Times in 4 Posts	Go For it OR Stay Away Gentlemen, Im looking to purchase my first P-08 Artillery luger i have no photos but will describe them best as i can 1) 1918 9mm serial # 91xxb There is about 93% original blue. The bulk of the loss is usual,the muzzule,some silvering of sharp edges,slight graying of the gripstraps, and the usual flaking on the side plate and adjacent steel panel. the straw is about 65% the walnut grips are in nice shape, no chips or cracks,some mild point flattening All numbered parts match, including the correct walnut base magazine,with the exception of the grips.The bore is really nice ,very sharp and crisp with a light scattered graying. Priced at $ 2795.00 ............ is this a fair price? 2) 1917 9mm ser.# 17xxe .This one is very clean. Retaining about 97-98% of original blue.the little there is ,is restricted to the muzzleedge,frame rail, side plate,and slight silvering on the sharp edges.I dont see any pits or flaking anywhere.The grip straps look new. The strawed parts about 98% . The walnut grips are unblemished no stains or flattening.The bore is bright ,crisp without any evidence of much use. Priced At $3195.00.............. is this a fair price. Please give me an honest assesment from what i have described of each . Im eager to buy but i dont want to get burned. All comments and advice will be greatly appreciated. Id figure id run this past my Luger Brothers so as not to make a hasty purchase. Thanks guys RJ

01-24-2014, 03:14 PM	#2
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Without photos it's very difficult to give any reliable advice. Even with them it is difficult to judge finish. Both prices seem very high. Perhaps 40% over fair collector price. Check one of the reliable online dealers like checkpointcharlies.com or Simpson Ltd... To be clear, unless there is something very very special about these, you would get burned at these prices in my opinion. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-24-2014, 03:52 PM	#5
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,400 Thanked 4,442 Times in 2,330 Posts	I'm curious...What do you mean by 'flaking'??? "...and the usual flaking on the side plate..." I've had five Lugers and don't recall any having problems with 'flaking'... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

01-24-2014, 08:01 PM	#8
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,928 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Of the 2... I am with George..the 1918 with a matching mag. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

01-25-2014, 10:03 PM	#11
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,928 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Worst thing that can happen is the seller says "No." Sometimes it's the "best" thing too! __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

01-24-2014, 03:23 PM	#3
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	RJ: Unfortunately, there is no "book" to go to for an exact figure. I've been seeing Artillery Lugers, matching but probably not as nice as you describe, at around $2200. Like Marc says, check Simpsons, and decide for yourself if they are a good deal. Of course if anything, orig. stock, holster, etc. goes with them that makes the deal more attractive. Does this help? dju

01-24-2014, 03:23 PM	#4
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	I specialize in collecting Artillery Lugers and their accessories. I will be glad to discuss this with you. Please private email your number and I will give you a call. spartacus38@charter.net Bob

01-24-2014, 06:14 PM	#6
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,528 Times in 787 Posts	Due to rarity the 1918 is a better buy.

01-24-2014, 06:40 PM	#7
UF-28 User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Toms River,NJ Posts: 37 Thanks: 56 Thanked 14 Times in 4 Posts	I should have said the blueing failing ,wearing , or fading , my bad

01-25-2014, 09:57 PM	#10
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 657 Thanks: 364 Thanked 1,175 Times in 393 Posts	A fellow who had way more experience than me in trading guns told me one day: "You can never pay too much for a good gun, you can only pay too early." The high price you pay today will become the average, or bargain with time. How long a time is the question. Unless you are buying them with the intent to sell in the not too distant future, then price is THE determining factor. If you have the money, you like the gun, and it isn't taking food off the table to do it, then go for it. You can always make reasonable offers. Worst thing that can happen is the seller says "No."

01-26-2014, 04:56 AM	#12
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	First of welcome to this forum of Luger aficionados, where I'm sure you'll find many answers of your interest. I'm afraid it's almost impossible to give a reliable advice without detailed photos; I agreee that the prices are on the high side, and must always be strictly related to the quality of the gun. IMHO __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

02-01-2014, 09:55 PM	#13
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 398 Thanks: 102 Thanked 125 Times in 74 Posts	Fellas, Are you sure you're not a little low in your price estimates? Can you please tell me where I can get a 98% 1917 artillery for $2300? I would love to buy one at that price. Still looking, still dreaming, - Geo __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers

02-02-2014, 01:00 AM	#14
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I'm scouring the thread and not finding any reference to a 98% 1917 at $2300. Help us out here. dju