Talking to an older Luger collector

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by 4 Scale

To expand on the example: I think a $1,500 Mauser devalues by perhaps a few hundred dollars if a minor part breaks.

From what I've read here, breaking of even a small numbered part and replacing it with a mismatch halves the value. It's like being a just little bit pregnant.

Then either the shooter or the collectible becomes a $500 parts gun

A complete Luger whether matched or mismatched is worth more than $500 in parts. Parting it out will bring more than the $1500 you spent for it, assuming you sell every part. I use Numrich's parts prices as my 'template', and in many areas they are less than the same parts/assemblies go for on eBay or Gunbroker...But total is still more than a complete Luger.

...$.02 (I accept PayPal)...