first luger a Mauser?

4 Scale · 12-28-2017, 11:11 AM

Here's a link to the pistol https://www.simpsonltd.com/products/c30396

I basically followed your strategy three years ago, getting a $1,700 collectible '36 Mauser from Simpsons on the theory that I'd shoot it and only loose $600 or so in value if I broke a numbered part. It was an attempt to obtain both a nice shooter and a collectible in the same pistol.

In my opinion it was a reasonable approach mainly because I was impatient. I shot it a little but never got comfortable with the risk, and after three months I purchased a shooter from a forum member and "retired" the '36. It is still in my collection and was one of the most enjoyable purchases I've ever made. It taught me to appreciate the beauty of all-matching +90% finish collectibles, and that shooting is more fun with dedicated shooters.

If you are impatient like me, the pistol you are considering appears excellent and is reasonably priced for a dealer purchase. If you are patient, find a shooter either on the Luger forums or Gunbroker or via an auction service like Proxibid. Dealers do have true shooter grade pistols from time to time but they go very fast, within hours of posting in 'new items'.

Yesterday an all matching original finish '15 DWM P 08 sold on Gunbroker for $1,050. I got distracted and failed to bid; I wish I had. My point is, that with patience deals are out there.

Good luck to you, you are about to embark on a very enjoyable journey into Luger ownership.

12-28-2017, 11:11 AM	#7
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 490 Times in 251 Posts	Here's a link to the pistol https://www.simpsonltd.com/products/c30396 I basically followed your strategy three years ago, getting a $1,700 collectible '36 Mauser from Simpsons on the theory that I'd shoot it and only loose $600 or so in value if I broke a numbered part. It was an attempt to obtain both a nice shooter and a collectible in the same pistol. In my opinion it was a reasonable approach mainly because I was impatient. I shot it a little but never got comfortable with the risk, and after three months I purchased a shooter from a forum member and "retired" the '36. It is still in my collection and was one of the most enjoyable purchases I've ever made. It taught me to appreciate the beauty of all-matching +90% finish collectibles, and that shooting is more fun with dedicated shooters. If you are impatient like me, the pistol you are considering appears excellent and is reasonably priced for a dealer purchase. If you are patient, find a shooter either on the Luger forums or Gunbroker or via an auction service like Proxibid. Dealers do have true shooter grade pistols from time to time but they go very fast, within hours of posting in 'new items'. Yesterday an all matching original finish '15 DWM P 08 sold on Gunbroker for $1,050. I got distracted and failed to bid; I wish I had. My point is, that with patience deals are out there. Good luck to you, you are about to embark on a very enjoyable journey into Luger ownership. Last edited by 4 Scale; 12-02-2021 at 03:02 PM.