Rarity or Condition?

Edward Tinker · 06-27-2002, 03:41 PM

Actually kind of a hard one... My gut feeling is that to have the history of any one piece, I would want the one with honest wear. But, and collectors books always disagree, I would take a rare piece in bad condition. As an example, one of the American Test LugerÃ¢??s (7.65 / 9mm) that is rough shape, could very well have been one of those that was down in the Philippians and to me that would be ok. But a rare piece in bad shape won't go up in value as fast as a rare piece in good shape.

So the questions remains, even monetarily, is it smarter to buy a rare piece in bad shape or a honest piece in good shape.

Which has historically gone up in price percentage wise?

A 1906 American in 60% shape
or a Mauser 1940 in 90% shape?

06-27-2002, 03:41 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	Actually kind of a hard one... My gut feeling is that to have the history of any one piece, I would want the one with honest wear. But, and collectors books always disagree, I would take a rare piece in bad condition. As an example, one of the American Test LugerÃ¢??s (7.65 / 9mm) that is rough shape, could very well have been one of those that was down in the Philippians and to me that would be ok. But a rare piece in bad shape won't go up in value as fast as a rare piece in good shape. So the questions remains, even monetarily, is it smarter to buy a rare piece in bad shape or a honest piece in good shape. Which has historically gone up in price percentage wise? A 1906 American in 60% shape or a Mauser 1940 in 90% shape? __________________ 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