Luger book by John Walter revised and reprinted

Vlim · 01-25-2017, 09:03 AM

Hi guys,

Just a heads up that John Walter revised and reprinted his Luger book as a very affordable paperback.

Lots of text, don't expect a photo book. But it is a good overview of Luger history. A good starting point for new collectors.

sheepherder · 01-25-2017, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlim

Hi guys,

Just a heads up that John Walter revised and reprinted his Luger book...

But which book??? "The Luger Story" or "The Luger Book"???

I have "The Luger Book" and it is more like a dictionary or encyclopedia rather than a timelined book/magazine...

DonVoigt · 01-25-2017, 09:59 AM

I do hope it is "improved"; I seldom use the first two- strange arrangement and almost impossible to find what one is looking for.

I'll wait for someone else to take the plunge and review the book.

mrerick · 01-25-2017, 10:13 AM

The book shows up as published by "The History Press" from the UK.

ISBN-10: 0750966270
ISBN-13: 978-0750966276

It is on Amazon's USA website at:

https://www.amazon.com/Luger-Story-W.../dp/0750966270

From a reseller that imports it from the UK, it's about $18 shipped in the USA.

I ordered one, and we'll see what it looks like!

Marc

cirelaw · 01-25-2017, 10:40 AM

Amazon~ https://www.amazon.com/Luger-Book-En...n+walter+luger

sheepherder · 01-25-2017, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirelaw

Amazon~ https://www.amazon.com/Luger-Book-En...n+walter+luger

Eric - That's the old paper-bound 8 3/4" x 11 1/4" book, which I have. Not the 'new' paperback book Vlim posted...

And it is a PITA as Don pointed out...Alphabetically arranged subjects, but not necessarily the more common or correctly named subjects...

Vlim · 01-25-2017, 11:26 AM

He is basically going through the years, starting with the development of the toggle lock until the American revival attempts by the likes of Mitchell and Stoeger.

He added more biographical details on the key players and discusses the most important variations.

It is not a Luger recognition guide, but a narration of the history of the luger. I like it.

cirelaw · 01-25-2017, 11:39 AM

Thank You~ I love luger books!!

ithacaartist · 01-25-2017, 12:13 PM

Gerben,

I'm pretty sure the stainless 90s' models were all made by Aimco in Houston. Mitchcell and Stoeger were among several concerns who had them stamped with their brand, and Stoeger, since they still owned copyright for "Luger," of course had that stamped on theirs.

One of mine is a P.08, is branded "OFM." The other, a M1900 configuration, is a "100 Years" commemorative that is stamped 1900 above the U.S. Great Seal on the receiver's top, and 2000 below. The former is plain stainless finish, the latter has been Cerokoted a very black black over the stainless to make it more closely resemble an original.

They work OK as range guns, I suppose, though I won't shoot either one very much, if at all. The ejector on my P.08 Was ground too thin and was bent. Fortunately, a replacement ejector from Tom Heller fit and works OK. Its extractor is weird, essentially the same as an original New Model extractor--but it has no little "ears" on its sides and looks like an Old Model extractor at first glance, although it sits in the New Model style breech block. The one in mine needed its claw dressed to help the pistol eject in a manner that doesn't slam the case against the left side of the upper, which gouged dents and burrs in all the case mouths.

Close tolerances certainly take a major holiday, too. The upper is sloppy, and shucks around in all directions. And the mag wells are extra-oversized, although it's possible to "fatten up" a regular mag with a few layers of tape to entice it to cycle. Even the mags that originally came with them rattle when installed.

My other issue with them is their flat surfaces which were buffed wavy, and look absolutely ridiculous. I have a casual impression that the ones made for contracts with fussier clients came out a little better in this respect, Mitchell and Stoeger the main examples of this.

The stainless ones seem to have been made in both calibers, and several configurations. There are pics in galleries on this site that show Navies, Old Model-style configurations and caliber, and standard P.08s, although I don't think an Artillery or Carbine was ever made.

cirelaw · 01-25-2017, 12:20 PM

I would like to take a moment to Thank our hero Tom Heller who has saved my butt on more than one occasion. He once provided a crucial part on one of my lugers. I was lucky it was a non numbered DWM part. THANK YOU TOM!!!

01-25-2017, 09:03 AM	#1
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	Luger book by John Walter revised and reprinted Hi guys, Just a heads up that John Walter revised and reprinted his Luger book as a very affordable paperback. Lots of text, don't expect a photo book. But it is a good overview of Luger history. A good starting point for new collectors. Attached Thumbnails

01-25-2017, 09:59 AM	#3
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,355 Times in 2,041 Posts	I do hope it is "improved"; I seldom use the first two- strange arrangement and almost impossible to find what one is looking for. I'll wait for someone else to take the plunge and review the book. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

01-25-2017, 10:13 AM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	The book shows up as published by "The History Press" from the UK. ISBN-10: 0750966270 ISBN-13: 978-0750966276 It is on Amazon's USA website at: https://www.amazon.com/Luger-Story-W.../dp/0750966270 From a reseller that imports it from the UK, it's about $18 shipped in the USA. I ordered one, and we'll see what it looks like! Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war. Last edited by mrerick; 01-25-2017 at 04:46 PM.

01-25-2017, 10:40 AM	#5
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,138 Times in 2,176 Posts	Amazon~ https://www.amazon.com/Luger-Book-En...n+walter+luger Attached Thumbnails

01-25-2017, 12:13 PM	#9
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,376 Thanks: 7,448 Thanked 2,613 Times in 1,380 Posts	Gerben, I'm pretty sure the stainless 90s' models were all made by Aimco in Houston. Mitchcell and Stoeger were among several concerns who had them stamped with their brand, and Stoeger, since they still owned copyright for "Luger," of course had that stamped on theirs. One of mine is a P.08, is branded "OFM." The other, a M1900 configuration, is a "100 Years" commemorative that is stamped 1900 above the U.S. Great Seal on the receiver's top, and 2000 below. The former is plain stainless finish, the latter has been Cerokoted a very black black over the stainless to make it more closely resemble an original. They work OK as range guns, I suppose, though I won't shoot either one very much, if at all. The ejector on my P.08 Was ground too thin and was bent. Fortunately, a replacement ejector from Tom Heller fit and works OK. Its extractor is weird, essentially the same as an original New Model extractor--but it has no little "ears" on its sides and looks like an Old Model extractor at first glance, although it sits in the New Model style breech block. The one in mine needed its claw dressed to help the pistol eject in a manner that doesn't slam the case against the left side of the upper, which gouged dents and burrs in all the case mouths. Close tolerances certainly take a major holiday, too. The upper is sloppy, and shucks around in all directions. And the mag wells are extra-oversized, although it's possible to "fatten up" a regular mag with a few layers of tape to entice it to cycle. Even the mags that originally came with them rattle when installed. My other issue with them is their flat surfaces which were buffed wavy, and look absolutely ridiculous. I have a casual impression that the ones made for contracts with fussier clients came out a little better in this respect, Mitchell and Stoeger the main examples of this. The stainless ones seem to have been made in both calibers, and several configurations. There are pics in galleries on this site that show Navies, Old Model-style configurations and caliber, and standard P.08s, although I don't think an Artillery or Carbine was ever made. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

01-25-2017, 11:26 AM	#7
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	He is basically going through the years, starting with the development of the toggle lock until the American revival attempts by the likes of Mitchell and Stoeger. He added more biographical details on the key players and discusses the most important variations. It is not a Luger recognition guide, but a narration of the history of the luger. I like it.

01-25-2017, 11:39 AM	#8
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,138 Times in 2,176 Posts	Thank You~ I love luger books!!

01-25-2017, 12:20 PM	#10
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,138 Times in 2,176 Posts	I would like to take a moment to Thank our hero Tom Heller who has saved my butt on more than one occasion. He once provided a crucial part on one of my lugers. I was lucky it was a non numbered DWM part. THANK YOU TOM!!!