"The" Luger book?

Parker · 12-07-2005, 11:59 AM

Hello,

My brother in law has had a long interest in Lugers; I'd like to buy him one or two books. Is there a definitive book on Lugers? I am thinking of a $100+ book that is a couple inches thick with good photos, etc.

Thanks!

Edward Tinker · 12-07-2005, 12:08 PM

Lots of them, in fact this has been brought up several times, but who knows where!

There are several wide ranging books. First question, does he like a certain time period, or own a certain time period Luger?

Jan C. Still has the best books for certain eras; he has one each on; Imperial Lugers, Weimar Lugers, Axis Pistols, and Third Reich Lugers, most are available on e-bay.

On many eras, Kenyons, Lugers at Random is good.

Walters, The Luger Story is a good read, and worthwhile.

Datig and Jones are good, but out of date.

Other books I have left out are too specialized or suck.

Ed

Pete Ebbink · 12-07-2005, 12:21 PM

I find "The Luger Book" by John Walter to be very informative and useful. It is in an encylcopedia format, with topics listed from A-to-Z. Out-of-print...but can be found on e-Bay and gun bookstores from time to time such as Ray Riling Arms Books :

http://www.rayrilingarmsbooks.com/cgi-bin/rrb455.cgi

Do not confuse "The Luger Book" with other books by Walter titled "Luger" and "The Luger Story".

Edward Tinker · 12-07-2005, 12:46 PM

I have the Luger Book, it is a good tool, but I do not think it worthwhile for a new collector, they would look in it and be overwhelmed, not understanding and thus get bored. A new collector wants lots of pictures, simple explanations and the facts.

As a christmas present, I might buy this and something else, but not by itself

Ed

Dwight Gruber · 12-07-2005, 04:49 PM

From your description, I'd say start him out with a hat trick--Kenyon's "Lugers at Random" and "Luger-THE-Multinational Pistol" and Walter's "The Luger Story".

It may stretch your budget just a bit, and you may have to search to find copies at good prices, but I can think of no better way to start out.

Keep your eye on ebay.

--Dwight

trigger643 · 12-07-2005, 11:30 PM

I'm going to have to disagree with you, Ed. Walter's was my first Luger book. I've had quite a few of the Luger books since then, and the only one I kept was Walter's "The Luger Book" (as I recall, you purchased my copy of Datig's book). Sure, it is Encyclopedic in construction and delivery, contains a few flaws and out-right errors, but by and large it is probably the most complete attempt at defining the pistol to date and I've used it to extensively to cross reference other german martial arms. It also pointed this novice collector towards only wanting mainstream guns and walking away from the exoctics which are so often conterfeited.

Edward Tinker · 12-07-2005, 11:52 PM

its okay if you disagree with me, its in my library, so it is ok in my "book".

Ed

Lugerdoc · 12-08-2005, 11:03 AM

I too like the John Walter books, but I cut my teeth on "lugers at Random" and still believe that this is the best place for a beginner to start. I have new ones in stock @$65 postpaid. I also have a few more new copies of "The luger Parabellum" @$30, for those of your getting interested in the 1970s Mauser lugers. Tom Heller POB 398 St.Charles, MO.63302. Happy Holidays.

Pete Ebbink · 12-09-2005, 11:43 AM

Greg,

For Swiss luger interests, the big, oversized book by V. Bobba is a must. It is written in Italian and English on a split page format and has color photos of the nicest Swiss lugers one can hope to find...

Simpson's has it for sale, new...they run about $ 80 used one-Bay from time to time...

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...products_id=37

Parker · 12-12-2005, 08:36 AM

Thank you, guys, I appeciate it.

Greg

Heinz · 12-12-2005, 07:05 PM

Greg, the other luger forum, www.gunboards.com/luger/default.asp (The link is available in the Links and resources on this board) has a book review section. You might want to look that over to see what you like.

12-07-2005, 11:59 AM	#1
Parker New User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	"The" Luger book? Hello, My brother in law has had a long interest in Lugers; I'd like to buy him one or two books. Is there a definitive book on Lugers? I am thinking of a $100+ book that is a couple inches thick with good photos, etc. Thanks!

12-07-2005, 11:30 PM	#6
trigger643 User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Murfreesboro Posts: 502 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I'm going to have to disagree with you, Ed. Walter's was my first Luger book. I've had quite a few of the Luger books since then, and the only one I kept was Walter's "The Luger Book" (as I recall, you purchased my copy of Datig's book). Sure, it is Encyclopedic in construction and delivery, contains a few flaws and out-right errors, but by and large it is probably the most complete attempt at defining the pistol to date and I've used it to extensively to cross reference other german martial arms. It also pointed this novice collector towards only wanting mainstream guns and walking away from the exoctics which are so often conterfeited. __________________ "There are three reasons to own a gun: To protect yourself and your family, to hunt dangerous and delicious animals, and to keep the King of England out of your face." Ã¢?? Krusty the Clown

12-08-2005, 11:03 AM	#8
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	I too like the John Walter books, but I cut my teeth on "lugers at Random" and still believe that this is the best place for a beginner to start. I have new ones in stock @$65 postpaid. I also have a few more new copies of "The luger Parabellum" @$30, for those of your getting interested in the 1970s Mauser lugers. Tom Heller POB 398 St.Charles, MO.63302. Happy Holidays. __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

12-07-2005, 12:08 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,995 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	Lots of them, in fact this has been brought up several times, but who knows where! There are several wide ranging books. First question, does he like a certain time period, or own a certain time period Luger? Jan C. Still has the best books for certain eras; he has one each on; Imperial Lugers, Weimar Lugers, Axis Pistols, and Third Reich Lugers, most are available on e-bay. On many eras, Kenyons, Lugers at Random is good. Walters, The Luger Story is a good read, and worthwhile. Datig and Jones are good, but out of date. Other books I have left out are too specialized or suck. Ed

12-07-2005, 12:21 PM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	I find "The Luger Book" by John Walter to be very informative and useful. It is in an encylcopedia format, with topics listed from A-to-Z. Out-of-print...but can be found on e-Bay and gun bookstores from time to time such as Ray Riling Arms Books : http://www.rayrilingarmsbooks.com/cgi-bin/rrb455.cgi Do not confuse "The Luger Book" with other books by Walter titled "Luger" and "The Luger Story".

12-07-2005, 12:46 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,995 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	I have the Luger Book, it is a good tool, but I do not think it worthwhile for a new collector, they would look in it and be overwhelmed, not understanding and thus get bored. A new collector wants lots of pictures, simple explanations and the facts. As a christmas present, I might buy this and something else, but not by itself Ed

12-07-2005, 04:49 PM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	From your description, I'd say start him out with a hat trick--Kenyon's "Lugers at Random" and "Luger-THE-Multinational Pistol" and Walter's "The Luger Story". It may stretch your budget just a bit, and you may have to search to find copies at good prices, but I can think of no better way to start out. Keep your eye on ebay. --Dwight

12-07-2005, 11:52 PM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,995 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	its okay if you disagree with me, its in my library, so it is ok in my "book". Ed

12-09-2005, 11:43 AM	#9
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Greg, For Swiss luger interests, the big, oversized book by V. Bobba is a must. It is written in Italian and English on a split page format and has color photos of the nicest Swiss lugers one can hope to find... Simpson's has it for sale, new...they run about $ 80 used one-Bay from time to time... http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...products_id=37

12-12-2005, 08:36 AM	#10
Parker New User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you, guys, I appeciate it. Greg

12-12-2005, 07:05 PM	#11
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 410 Times in 180 Posts	Greg, the other luger forum, www.gunboards.com/luger/default.asp (The link is available in the Links and resources on this board) has a book review section. You might want to look that over to see what you like.