New to the forum and luger collecting.

Tim K · 07-28-2012, 07:06 PM

Hi Everyone,

My name is Tim and I reside in southern Ohio and am new to luger collecting. I believe lugers to be among the most elaborate and beautiful guns every made with so much heritage, history, character, and sheer beauty it is facinating to see such variations out there in collections and, in some cases, available on the market.

I do have a question. Is it wise to purchase a "Professionally Restored" luger? I am curious and personally like to see quality and beauty intertwined as is often portrayed in a well restored item.

I am really looking forward to communicating and sharing the fun of luger collecting with everyone.

Tim

policeluger · 07-28-2012, 07:09 PM

Welcome.....perhaps as a opener, start hitting gun shows, look around and perhaps meet some of the LF members in your area...and read all you can get a hold of on the subject.....best to you

mrerick · 07-28-2012, 07:32 PM

Hi Tim, and welcome to the forum.

As you start acting on your interest in the Luger pistols, consider studying first. I call this "Luger University", and it involves identifying one of the eras that you're particularly interested in (Pre WW-I; WW-I; Weimar era; WW-II; Post WW-II) and obtaining the reference books on that era. This will help you understand what is "correct" about Lugers of each period for a given manufacturer.

If you're partial to beautiful pistols, consider the Swiss manufactured Lugers. They are remarkable. Bobba's book on Swiss Lugers is available directly from Italy at a reasonable price. (see Abe Books online for a connection to the "DEA Store" in Italy). It's under $51.

Luger collectors value pistols most highly in their original factory state. That means that any wear; alteration; refinishing or restoration reduces the value of a Luger pistol. Rarity can trump this in some cases; but doesn't end up pushing the value of a restored pistol above that of an original. Of course, this can help you obtain a variation at a lower cost - just don't expect it to appreciate as a more collectable one would.

There is nothing like inspecting an original high condition collectable Luger in person. The photos can't communicate accurately things like finish appearance. For that reason, I like to attend shows that are geared toward firearms collectors. At a recent collector's show in Salisbury NC I was able to examine several from different eras, and get a good idea of how original condition Lugers should appear. Do this any time you can.

At regular gun shows in my area, I see the majority of Lugers overpriced for their condition, and / or misrepresented. It's easy to make a mistake. For that reason the reference books are a great value if you're serious - even at the apparent high cost.

If it's true that the upcoming George Sturgess book will be available on DVD at $35 a copy, get one - it's a bargain. (Simpson's will be selling the book sets).

Ron Smith · 07-28-2012, 07:35 PM

Nothing wrong with restored Lugers. The thing you don't want to do is pay a collector price for it, unless it's extremely rare in some form.

Restored Lugers ( restored exactingly) are considered a notch or two above shooter grade.

Welcome to the forum...

Tim K · 07-28-2012, 07:56 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome and advice, I will certainly go with it.

Tim

paid4c4 · 07-28-2012, 08:34 PM

Tim, I agree with you about Lugers being beautiful pistols. I'm just a freshman at Luger University and study every chance I get. I just bought my second one which is listed in the All P-08 Military Lugers section: 1941 byf P-08 Military Luger PHOTO'S ADDED. I don't know enough to advise you but I wanted to say hi as I live in Northern Kentucky, sure is a small world.
Bill

padredan · 07-29-2012, 01:00 AM

tim welcome to the forum, good luck.

Tim K · 07-29-2012, 03:49 AM

Hey Bill,

If you don't mind me asking, where do you live in northern, Kentucky? I am right across the river from the Maysville/Augusta, KY area...in Georgetown, Ohio.

Tim

Tim K · 07-29-2012, 03:52 AM

Hi Patron,

Thanks for the welcome. Got a trivia question for you? Which state has a capital named after a color?

Tim

By the way I like your quote. There's a great deal of truth in it.

paid4c4 · 07-29-2012, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim K

Hey Bill,

If you don't mind me asking, where do you live in northern, Kentucky? I am right across the river from the Maysville/Augusta, KY area...in Georgetown, Ohio.

Tim

Tim, we live at the top on I75 hill off of Kyles Lane. I've been to Georgetown and you have a really nice place. National Gun Day will be held at the Louisville, Ky State Fairgrounds on September 22 and 23. There are a number of Luger dealers at the show.
Bill

CJS57 · 07-29-2012, 01:35 PM

Welcome! My advice is don't buy restored Lugers unless you can sell them and make money. They have there place in the situation where the gun was damaged beyond recognition, was previously reblued and now it is re-reblued to a better standard or it is a family heirloom. But for collecting it is the kiss of death. Restored guns make your whole collection suspect as well!

Tim K · 07-29-2012, 06:35 PM

Chris,

Thanks for the advice about restored lugers.

Tim

07-28-2012, 07:06 PM	#1
Tim K User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New to the forum and luger collecting. Hi Everyone, My name is Tim and I reside in southern Ohio and am new to luger collecting. I believe lugers to be among the most elaborate and beautiful guns every made with so much heritage, history, character, and sheer beauty it is facinating to see such variations out there in collections and, in some cases, available on the market. I do have a question. Is it wise to purchase a "Professionally Restored" luger? I am curious and personally like to see quality and beauty intertwined as is often portrayed in a well restored item. I am really looking forward to communicating and sharing the fun of luger collecting with everyone. Tim

07-28-2012, 07:32 PM	#3
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,907 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,108 Times in 1,509 Posts	Hi Tim, and welcome to the forum. As you start acting on your interest in the Luger pistols, consider studying first. I call this "Luger University", and it involves identifying one of the eras that you're particularly interested in (Pre WW-I; WW-I; Weimar era; WW-II; Post WW-II) and obtaining the reference books on that era. This will help you understand what is "correct" about Lugers of each period for a given manufacturer. If you're partial to beautiful pistols, consider the Swiss manufactured Lugers. They are remarkable. Bobba's book on Swiss Lugers is available directly from Italy at a reasonable price. (see Abe Books online for a connection to the "DEA Store" in Italy). It's under $51. Luger collectors value pistols most highly in their original factory state. That means that any wear; alteration; refinishing or restoration reduces the value of a Luger pistol. Rarity can trump this in some cases; but doesn't end up pushing the value of a restored pistol above that of an original. Of course, this can help you obtain a variation at a lower cost - just don't expect it to appreciate as a more collectable one would. There is nothing like inspecting an original high condition collectable Luger in person. The photos can't communicate accurately things like finish appearance. For that reason, I like to attend shows that are geared toward firearms collectors. At a recent collector's show in Salisbury NC I was able to examine several from different eras, and get a good idea of how original condition Lugers should appear. Do this any time you can. At regular gun shows in my area, I see the majority of Lugers overpriced for their condition, and / or misrepresented. It's easy to make a mistake. For that reason the reference books are a great value if you're serious - even at the apparent high cost. If it's true that the upcoming George Sturgess book will be available on DVD at $35 a copy, get one - it's a bargain. (Simpson's will be selling the book sets). __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

07-28-2012, 07:35 PM	#4
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Nothing wrong with restored Lugers. The thing you don't want to do is pay a collector price for it, unless it's extremely rare in some form. Restored Lugers ( restored exactingly) are considered a notch or two above shooter grade. Welcome to the forum... __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

07-28-2012, 07:56 PM	#5
Tim K User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks! Thanks for the warm welcome and advice, I will certainly go with it. Tim

07-29-2012, 01:00 AM	#7
padredan User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: louisiana Now, but from the Rebublic of Texas Posts: 937 Thanks: 429 Thanked 316 Times in 182 Posts	tim welcome to the forum, good luck. __________________ In this world nothing is free, except the grace of God

07-28-2012, 07:09 PM	#2
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	Welcome.....perhaps as a opener, start hitting gun shows, look around and perhaps meet some of the LF members in your area...and read all you can get a hold of on the subject.....best to you

07-28-2012, 08:34 PM	#6
paid4c4 User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 62 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Tim, I agree with you about Lugers being beautiful pistols. I'm just a freshman at Luger University and study every chance I get. I just bought my second one which is listed in the All P-08 Military Lugers section: 1941 byf P-08 Military Luger PHOTO'S ADDED. I don't know enough to advise you but I wanted to say hi as I live in Northern Kentucky, sure is a small world. Bill

07-29-2012, 03:49 AM	#8
Tim K User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hey Bill, If you don't mind me asking, where do you live in northern, Kentucky? I am right across the river from the Maysville/Augusta, KY area...in Georgetown, Ohio. Tim

07-29-2012, 03:52 AM	#9
Tim K User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi Patron, Thanks for the welcome. Got a trivia question for you? Which state has a capital named after a color? Tim By the way I like your quote. There's a great deal of truth in it.

07-29-2012, 01:35 PM	#11
CJS57 User Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 224 Thanks: 0 Thanked 81 Times in 41 Posts	Welcome! My advice is don't buy restored Lugers unless you can sell them and make money. They have there place in the situation where the gun was damaged beyond recognition, was previously reblued and now it is re-reblued to a better standard or it is a family heirloom. But for collecting it is the kiss of death. Restored guns make your whole collection suspect as well!

07-29-2012, 06:35 PM	#12
Tim K User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Chris, Thanks for the advice about restored lugers. Tim