where are the cheap lugers?

Jim Mac · 02-14-2014, 07:54 PM

I get on the military P08 forum and see the whats it worth/value of this luger questions. Some of the answers the prices seems awful cheap. So my question to the average collectors, where do you guys find these under $500 lugers for sale? Im not talking about ones purchased ten years ago. I know of one that my son in laws friend sold for $175. He inherited it and didnt have a use for a "old" gun. Around here theres been a few on backpage and armslist. The last one the asking.price was $900. I picked it up for $550 and I thought that was a deal. Jim

DavidJayUden · 02-14-2014, 08:30 PM

Good question Jim. I see the business Checkpoint Charlie's mentioned regarding shooter grade Lugers, but I have never shopped there. And I don't know of any surplus Lugers being imported lately, probably verboten by the Gov't, so consequently prices go up on what is already here.
If you keep your eyes open you may stumble across an inexpensive one, but the only ones I've seen in the $500 range were priced accordingly.
But run WTB ads here, and on other like forums, and you never know what will turn up.
dju

kzullick · 02-14-2014, 09:03 PM

The only ones I ever saw for $500.00 were grossly pitted mismstched pieces of junk that I would be afraid to ever shoot. Maybe it's just the area I live in, but anything as a decent shooter (in my opinion) runs about $800.00 and up.

mrerick · 02-14-2014, 09:09 PM

The cheap Lugers are relegated to history...

"Now they belong to the ages...."

Kidding aside, the Luger was never an inexpensive pistol to produce or acquire. Even at the beginning, there were long negotiations with governments over price, and the Luger was always a premium priced firearm.

Today, pricing moves with demand in the marketplace...

Marc

TheRomanhistorian · 02-14-2014, 09:38 PM

They come up infrequently in my area from 500-1000 (I acquired one locally at 500 because it had been refinished and had some slightly ill-fitting thick repro grips). At present there's an odd 1950s rebarrelled commercial Luger with a 5.5" barrel and some odd target sight and a repro magazine which a local shop is selling for 700 (original grips though worn and partly filed down but with original finish (30%)). I'm pondering picking it up but I don't know if I need a second .30 calibre Luger.

I just don't like to pay more than $700 for a shooter because I already have a few shooters and I know I can usually get a deal if I wait.

Edward Tinker · 02-15-2014, 12:41 AM

I used to ask where these guys got the $350 lugers from ;-)

If you look you might find one for less than $500, but normal price is $600-$800 --- everything depending on how it looks IMHO.

G.T. · 02-15-2014, 01:24 AM

If you take the "shooter" or "collector" classifications out of the equation.. then any luger, whether refinished or original, is worth "at least' the sum total of it's parts.... So, if you can find any decent Luger for $600.00 to $700.00 and it's all good, then that's about as cheap as you're ever, ever going to find now'a'days, and chances are, for that price, something in going to be modified, missing or screwed up?? A very nice shooter, will run you anywhere from $900.00 to $1000.00 even if mis-matched, but built from nice parts... There seems to be a gazillion mis-matched and messed with Lugers for every nice collectible one.. so, all you guys that like shooting your 98% safe queens, you'll soon have a bridge to cross that you really didn't count on?? No matter how much you love these guns, it's evident to me that they break! And beyond that, due to design, age, or metal fatigue, or whatever... they seem to break a'lot!....

.. hence the booming spare parts market... I love to shoot Lugers...But, If I were casting about for a shooter.. I would expect to spend a minimum of $1000.00 for a ready to go example... That being said, a nice 1920 commercial is probably the best bet for value and condition...

.. best to all, til...lat'r...GT

Sergio Natali · 02-15-2014, 03:31 PM

In the world generally you get only what you pay for.

MikeP · 02-15-2014, 07:13 PM

Not realistic to expect a pawnshop or any dealer to offer a premium price.

They do it for a living. Not everybody can keep up with everything.
He knew you were only there to waste his time.

Another funny thing is older guys on some sites offering opinions that are five years behind times.
They would not consider selling off their stuff for their own quotes.
There is definitely a ballpark figure on most any popular collectable that sellers keep trying to push up.

The probability of a youngster starting out and ending up with dozens of Lugers which some have done in the past is unlikely unless he can simply afford to buy them.

Watched a program on a guy with a 220 foot yacht. He could prolly afford all the Colt Walkers in existence.

Jim Mac · 02-20-2014, 09:49 PM

So, last night Im checking out tucson backpage. The place where 99% of the guns are priced higher than retail and. 22 ammo is $50 a brick. Theres a ad that catches my attention. "Old gun" price is listed at $200. I hit the link and theres a picture of a chromed luger! Said it was grandpas gun and knows nothing else about it. I figured its a joke but replied anyway. Said the thing lost its real collectors value, also mentiomed even hitler, goering or rommel didnt get a chromed luger issued to them. But if he wanted to sell I said its probably worth 500-600 not $200. And let me know. O course the ads been taken off and never a reply. Jim

stressed · 02-20-2014, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Mac

So, last night Im checking out tucson backpage. The place where 99% of the guns are priced higher than retail and. 22 ammo is $50 a brick. Theres a ad that catches my attention. "Old gun" price is listed at $200. I hit the link and theres a picture of a chromed luger! Said it was grandpas gun and knows nothing else about it. I figured its a joke but replied anyway. Said the thing lost its real collectors value, also mentiomed even hitler, goering or rommel didnt get a chromed luger issued to them. But if he wanted to sell I said its probably worth 500-600 not $200. And let me know. O course the ads been taken off and never a reply. Jim

At that price I would have bought it. Would of had it stripped and reblued and still been ahead.

Sergio Natali · 02-21-2014, 05:55 AM

Really good Lugers at cheap prices cannot be found I'm afraid.

I think that if one doesn't want to spend much shoud address himself towards another sort of weapon, for instance here you can find a very good WWII Mauser or Walther P.38 for the equivalent of less then USD 900.00

Jim Mac · 02-22-2014, 08:24 AM

I wanted it because I would love to have a plated luger. Something about it just has a cool factor. Ive got a rock island nickle finished 1911. And like the look of it. Jim

stressed · 02-22-2014, 10:33 AM

I hear you. I would love a nickel PPK in .32 military manufacture. obviously the nickel would hurt the value, but would not matter to me in said gun as it would just look great IMO.

MikeP · 02-23-2014, 08:46 AM

Last year I saw a really nice 1914 Erfurt, Nickled or chromed with an original mm mag at a local estate sale.

It went for $750, which I just could not justify, but it was nicely done.

In the old days of a hundred Lugers and P38s on a table, there would be a sprinkling of them, often with "Stag" grips.

Lugerdoc · 02-23-2014, 12:09 PM

I agree with GT, if you can find a nice looking 9mm PO8 locally with a "firm guarantee" of good function for less than $1K, it's probably a good buy. You might be surprised, how many "$500" (or less) mail order lugers that I receive for repair after most major gun shows. Some times I'll end up with them to part out, once the owner finds out the cost to get it to function reliably. TH

02-14-2014, 07:54 PM	#1
Jim Mac User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 264 Thanks: 2 Thanked 70 Times in 37 Posts	where are the cheap lugers? I get on the military P08 forum and see the whats it worth/value of this luger questions. Some of the answers the prices seems awful cheap. So my question to the average collectors, where do you guys find these under $500 lugers for sale? Im not talking about ones purchased ten years ago. I know of one that my son in laws friend sold for $175. He inherited it and didnt have a use for a "old" gun. Around here theres been a few on backpage and armslist. The last one the asking.price was $900. I picked it up for $550 and I thought that was a deal. Jim

02-14-2014, 09:09 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	The cheap Lugers are relegated to history... "Now they belong to the ages...." Kidding aside, the Luger was never an inexpensive pistol to produce or acquire. Even at the beginning, there were long negotiations with governments over price, and the Luger was always a premium priced firearm. Today, pricing moves with demand in the marketplace... Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

02-14-2014, 09:38 PM	#5
TheRomanhistorian User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 301 Thanks: 170 Thanked 88 Times in 64 Posts	They come up infrequently in my area from 500-1000 (I acquired one locally at 500 because it had been refinished and had some slightly ill-fitting thick repro grips). At present there's an odd 1950s rebarrelled commercial Luger with a 5.5" barrel and some odd target sight and a repro magazine which a local shop is selling for 700 (original grips though worn and partly filed down but with original finish (30%)). I'm pondering picking it up but I don't know if I need a second .30 calibre Luger. I just don't like to pay more than $700 for a shooter because I already have a few shooters and I know I can usually get a deal if I wait. __________________ Michael Nos morituri te salutant - Supposed saying of the gladiators to the emperor ('We, who are about to die, salute you.') 'We are the lantern bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind' - From Rosemary Sutcliff's The Lantern Bearers

02-15-2014, 12:41 AM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	I used to ask where these guys got the $350 lugers from ;-) If you look you might find one for less than $500, but normal price is $600-$800 --- everything depending on how it looks IMHO. __________________ 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

02-15-2014, 01:24 AM	#7
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,523 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,707 Times in 1,012 Posts	It's all relative.... If you take the "shooter" or "collector" classifications out of the equation.. then any luger, whether refinished or original, is worth "at least' the sum total of it's parts.... So, if you can find any decent Luger for $600.00 to $700.00 and it's all good, then that's about as cheap as you're ever, ever going to find now'a'days, and chances are, for that price, something in going to be modified, missing or screwed up?? A very nice shooter, will run you anywhere from $900.00 to $1000.00 even if mis-matched, but built from nice parts... There seems to be a gazillion mis-matched and messed with Lugers for every nice collectible one.. so, all you guys that like shooting your 98% safe queens, you'll soon have a bridge to cross that you really didn't count on?? No matter how much you love these guns, it's evident to me that they break! And beyond that, due to design, age, or metal fatigue, or whatever... they seem to break a'lot!...... hence the booming spare parts market... I love to shoot Lugers...But, If I were casting about for a shooter.. I would expect to spend a minimum of $1000.00 for a ready to go example... That being said, a nice 1920 commercial is probably the best bet for value and condition... .. best to all, til...lat'r...GT

02-14-2014, 08:30 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Good question Jim. I see the business Checkpoint Charlie's mentioned regarding shooter grade Lugers, but I have never shopped there. And I don't know of any surplus Lugers being imported lately, probably verboten by the Gov't, so consequently prices go up on what is already here. If you keep your eyes open you may stumble across an inexpensive one, but the only ones I've seen in the $500 range were priced accordingly. But run WTB ads here, and on other like forums, and you never know what will turn up. dju

02-14-2014, 09:03 PM	#3
kzullick Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: East Berwick, Pennsylvania Posts: 236 Thanks: 682 Thanked 102 Times in 83 Posts	The only ones I ever saw for $500.00 were grossly pitted mismstched pieces of junk that I would be afraid to ever shoot. Maybe it's just the area I live in, but anything as a decent shooter (in my opinion) runs about $800.00 and up.

02-15-2014, 03:31 PM	#8
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	In the world generally you get only what you pay for. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

02-15-2014, 07:13 PM	#9
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Not realistic to expect a pawnshop or any dealer to offer a premium price. They do it for a living. Not everybody can keep up with everything. He knew you were only there to waste his time. Another funny thing is older guys on some sites offering opinions that are five years behind times. They would not consider selling off their stuff for their own quotes. There is definitely a ballpark figure on most any popular collectable that sellers keep trying to push up. The probability of a youngster starting out and ending up with dozens of Lugers which some have done in the past is unlikely unless he can simply afford to buy them. Watched a program on a guy with a 220 foot yacht. He could prolly afford all the Colt Walkers in existence.

02-20-2014, 09:49 PM	#10
Jim Mac User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 264 Thanks: 2 Thanked 70 Times in 37 Posts	So, last night Im checking out tucson backpage. The place where 99% of the guns are priced higher than retail and. 22 ammo is $50 a brick. Theres a ad that catches my attention. "Old gun" price is listed at $200. I hit the link and theres a picture of a chromed luger! Said it was grandpas gun and knows nothing else about it. I figured its a joke but replied anyway. Said the thing lost its real collectors value, also mentiomed even hitler, goering or rommel didnt get a chromed luger issued to them. But if he wanted to sell I said its probably worth 500-600 not $200. And let me know. O course the ads been taken off and never a reply. Jim

02-21-2014, 05:55 AM	#12
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Really good Lugers at cheap prices cannot be found I'm afraid. I think that if one doesn't want to spend much shoud address himself towards another sort of weapon, for instance here you can find a very good WWII Mauser or Walther P.38 for the equivalent of less then USD 900.00 __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

02-22-2014, 08:24 AM	#13
Jim Mac User Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 264 Thanks: 2 Thanked 70 Times in 37 Posts	I wanted it because I would love to have a plated luger. Something about it just has a cool factor. Ive got a rock island nickle finished 1911. And like the look of it. Jim

02-22-2014, 10:33 AM	#14
stressed User Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 197 Thanks: 41 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	I hear you. I would love a nickel PPK in .32 military manufacture. obviously the nickel would hurt the value, but would not matter to me in said gun as it would just look great IMO. __________________ Looking for any Mauser S/42 #89 parts

02-23-2014, 08:46 AM	#15
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Last year I saw a really nice 1914 Erfurt, Nickled or chromed with an original mm mag at a local estate sale. It went for $750, which I just could not justify, but it was nicely done. In the old days of a hundred Lugers and P38s on a table, there would be a sprinkling of them, often with "Stag" grips.

02-23-2014, 12:09 PM	#16
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Shooter luger prices I agree with GT, if you can find a nice looking 9mm PO8 locally with a "firm guarantee" of good function for less than $1K, it's probably a good buy. You might be surprised, how many "$500" (or less) mail order lugers that I receive for repair after most major gun shows. Some times I'll end up with them to part out, once the owner finds out the cost to get it to function reliably. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net