id-ing

merc · 11-05-2002, 09:22 PM

Hi guys
I just got this little book--"The Luger Handbook" by Aarron Davis from Amazon .com
It cost about 10 bucks. It is a little paperback filled with information to help identify your lugers.
You guys that have been at it for awhile probably would not be too interested in it, but for the novice like me, it is super.
It has a tree like reference that will lead you into the correct identification of your pistol.
I have finally figured out (with lots of help from the forums too) that 1 of my Lugers is a 1920 DWM Commercial model (although it has a pre 1916 long sear bar on it) and the other is a model 1914 with German military proofs and a 1920 double date. The original date is 1917 and restamped 1920.
The book also gives you a pretty good idea of value.
Worth the 10 bucks
Paul

Edward Tinker · 11-05-2002, 09:34 PM

I don't have this one, sounds like it has some good information.

All of us need extra help and books that can help is good.

Dwight Gruber · 11-06-2002, 01:40 AM

Paul,

The Davis book is a handy reference to carry around, it is most useful for basic Luger identification in the field. You should be aware that it is full of detail misinformation, (Emphasis added by Admin-JS) particularly (but not exclusively) as regards exterior finish. Also, the values listed range from high to very high, more representitive of online dealer/collector retail prices than actual worth. If you are paying Davis's prices for a Luger you are probably paying too much.

You will thank yourself later for augmenting Davis with some other basic references. I recommend that you start with Charles Kenyon's "Lugers At Random" to begin to familiarize yourself with with the vast assortment of real Lugers; and John Walters's "The Luger Story" to fill out the background basics.

This will go a long ways toward getting you beyond the "novice" category, enjoy.

--Dwight

merc · 11-06-2002, 02:34 PM

Thanks Dwight
I thought the prices in the handbook a bit high. (or simply that I got a bargain)--No really
I paid 290 for the DWM and 300 for the Erfurt double date. Being that they are just shooters, but still real GERMAN Lugers. -it is a bargain.
I also got a book "Luger Tips" by Michael Reese II.
This is not bad but it doesn't lead you into identifications.
I think I will go look for the 2 books you recommend.
Paul
You can't learn too much.
Thanks

Dwight Gruber · 11-06-2002, 08:59 PM

Dude, -killer- prices on your Lugers, congrats. Frankly they sound good, particularly the Erfurt double-date. Pictures?

--Dwight

merc · 11-07-2002, 06:03 PM

Dwight
Check out the pictures in the Forum 'all military' page. It is dated 10/28 with a title of Erfurt.
I found it at the trading post when I went in for some reloading supplies.
Now everytime I go in I have to look at every gun in the place.
Paul

Edward Tinker · 11-07-2002, 08:39 PM

nice to see some deals out there!

sounds good, [img]smile.gif[/img]

LP08 · 11-10-2002, 12:05 AM

It is worth reminding list members that Aaron Davis specifically put inaccurate prices in his paperback luger book. He told me this at a Denver show last Spring. There were no prices in his draft and the publisher required prices so he, for whatever reason, decided to insert extremely high prices. They are not intended to be accurate.

11-05-2002, 09:22 PM	#1
merc User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NH Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	id-ing Hi guys I just got this little book--"The Luger Handbook" by Aarron Davis from Amazon .com It cost about 10 bucks. It is a little paperback filled with information to help identify your lugers. You guys that have been at it for awhile probably would not be too interested in it, but for the novice like me, it is super. It has a tree like reference that will lead you into the correct identification of your pistol. I have finally figured out (with lots of help from the forums too) that 1 of my Lugers is a 1920 DWM Commercial model (although it has a pre 1916 long sear bar on it) and the other is a model 1914 with German military proofs and a 1920 double date. The original date is 1917 and restamped 1920. The book also gives you a pretty good idea of value. Worth the 10 bucks Paul __________________ Merc Living without liberty is not living

11-05-2002, 09:34 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	I don't have this one, sounds like it has some good information. All of us need extra help and books that can help is good. __________________ 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

11-06-2002, 02:34 PM	#4
merc User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NH Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Dwight I thought the prices in the handbook a bit high. (or simply that I got a bargain)--No really I paid 290 for the DWM and 300 for the Erfurt double date. Being that they are just shooters, but still real GERMAN Lugers. -it is a bargain. I also got a book "Luger Tips" by Michael Reese II. This is not bad but it doesn't lead you into identifications. I think I will go look for the 2 books you recommend. Paul You can't learn too much. Thanks __________________ Merc Living without liberty is not living

11-07-2002, 06:03 PM	#6
merc User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NH Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dwight Check out the pictures in the Forum 'all military' page. It is dated 10/28 with a title of Erfurt. I found it at the trading post when I went in for some reloading supplies. Now everytime I go in I have to look at every gun in the place. Paul __________________ Merc Living without liberty is not living

11-07-2002, 08:39 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,967 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,596 Times in 2,117 Posts	nice to see some deals out there! sounds good, [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ 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

11-06-2002, 01:40 AM	#3
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Paul, The Davis book is a handy reference to carry around, it is most useful for basic Luger identification in the field. You should be aware that it is full of detail misinformation, (Emphasis added by Admin-JS) particularly (but not exclusively) as regards exterior finish. Also, the values listed range from high to very high, more representitive of online dealer/collector retail prices than actual worth. If you are paying Davis's prices for a Luger you are probably paying too much. You will thank yourself later for augmenting Davis with some other basic references. I recommend that you start with Charles Kenyon's "Lugers At Random" to begin to familiarize yourself with with the vast assortment of real Lugers; and John Walters's "The Luger Story" to fill out the background basics. This will go a long ways toward getting you beyond the "novice" category, enjoy. --Dwight

11-06-2002, 08:59 PM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Dude, -killer- prices on your Lugers, congrats. Frankly they sound good, particularly the Erfurt double-date. Pictures? --Dwight

11-10-2002, 12:05 AM	#8
LP08 User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It is worth reminding list members that Aaron Davis specifically put inaccurate prices in his paperback luger book. He told me this at a Denver show last Spring. There were no prices in his draft and the publisher required prices so he, for whatever reason, decided to insert extremely high prices. They are not intended to be accurate.