A lesson learned

submarine vet · 11-29-2002, 02:28 AM

I posted "What a day" in this forum about finding an Artillery for sale and got some helpful responses which got my mind in gear.

I went back to take a second look at the piece. (CA 10-day waiting period, you know)

Armed with a little more knowledge from this forum, I decided to cancel the purchase. The piece had no factory crest on the toggle, few proof marks and worst of all, had "GERMANY" stamped in 3 places. Also, it appeared to have been re-blued and the "straw" was almost non-existant.

I want to believe that the dealer really thought the price was fair, but who can say.

Anyway, the wife still says to get one. I'm checking with a couple of dealers in the Orange Co., CA area tomorrow.

My point? Thanks to this forum, I've learned to be cautious. THANKS GUYS

Ron

Frank · 11-29-2002, 10:03 AM

Hey Sub Guy, sounds like you made the correct decision. But one word of caution. The stamping of "Germany" is not necessarily a bad thing. Many Lugers were imported into the US after WWI and were "import marked" stamped with "Germany". For the most part these pistols were in the original condition, in other words, not messed with. These guns do NOT have the same stigma as the more recent import marked pistols.

Of course, they could have been messed with since they arrived in the States, so one still has to be careful. But, if you find a nice one with the "Germany" Stamp, don't throw the baby out with the bath water!!!!

Good Luck in your quest to find a nice one!!!

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

wterrell · 11-29-2002, 10:19 AM

Here is a link to a dealer that has a few lugers:

LPo8's

[quote] DWM 1917 ARTILLERY, 9mm; 96% blue, 20% straw, good bore, very
good grips, fine tune front & rear sights.... $1695.00
<hr></blockquote>

[quote] DWM 1917 ARTILLERY, 9mm; 95% blue, 70% straw, good bore,
good grips, some pitting, fine tune front & rear sights, excellent matching
magazine.... $1395.00

<hr></blockquote>

Pete Ebbink · 11-29-2002, 12:36 PM

And another, with photos and prices...

http://fgsinc.8m.com/photo4.html

Regards,

Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Karl · 11-29-2002, 01:03 PM

Sub vet,

You haven't stated whether you wanted this gun as a collector piece or a shooter. If you want a shooter this might be a good gun if the price is right. WWI era lugers usually have pitted bores to some extent because of the corrosive primer used. If the bore is relatively nice you might present the dealer with your research and offer what you consider a reasonable price. Nothing to lose, he already knows you're a serious buyer. KFS

Pete Ebbink · 11-29-2002, 08:31 PM

Hello Karl,

In Sub Vet's other posting, titled "What A Day", I think he mentioned this LP-08 was to run a bit over $ 1,700.00...

Regards,

Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

11-29-2002, 02:28 AM	#1
submarine vet User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A lesson learned I posted "What a day" in this forum about finding an Artillery for sale and got some helpful responses which got my mind in gear. I went back to take a second look at the piece. (CA 10-day waiting period, you know) Armed with a little more knowledge from this forum, I decided to cancel the purchase. The piece had no factory crest on the toggle, few proof marks and worst of all, had "GERMANY" stamped in 3 places. Also, it appeared to have been re-blued and the "straw" was almost non-existant. I want to believe that the dealer really thought the price was fair, but who can say. Anyway, the wife still says to get one. I'm checking with a couple of dealers in the Orange Co., CA area tomorrow. My point? Thanks to this forum, I've learned to be cautious. THANKS GUYS Ron

11-29-2002, 10:19 AM	#3
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Here is a link to a dealer that has a few lugers: LPo8's [quote] DWM 1917 ARTILLERY, 9mm; 96% blue, 20% straw, good bore, very good grips, fine tune front & rear sights.... $1695.00 <hr></blockquote> [quote] DWM 1917 ARTILLERY, 9mm; 95% blue, 70% straw, good bore, good grips, some pitting, fine tune front & rear sights, excellent matching magazine.... $1395.00 <hr></blockquote> __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

11-29-2002, 10:03 AM	#2
Frank RIP Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hot & Dry PHX, AZ Posts: 2,078 Thanks: 24 Thanked 163 Times in 87 Posts	Hey Sub Guy, sounds like you made the correct decision. But one word of caution. The stamping of "Germany" is not necessarily a bad thing. Many Lugers were imported into the US after WWI and were "import marked" stamped with "Germany". For the most part these pistols were in the original condition, in other words, not messed with. These guns do NOT have the same stigma as the more recent import marked pistols. Of course, they could have been messed with since they arrived in the States, so one still has to be careful. But, if you find a nice one with the "Germany" Stamp, don't throw the baby out with the bath water!!!! Good Luck in your quest to find a nice one!!! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

11-29-2002, 12:36 PM	#4
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	And another, with photos and prices... http://fgsinc.8m.com/photo4.html Regards, Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

11-29-2002, 01:03 PM	#5
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 515 Thanks: 0 Thanked 250 Times in 112 Posts	Sub vet, You haven't stated whether you wanted this gun as a collector piece or a shooter. If you want a shooter this might be a good gun if the price is right. WWI era lugers usually have pitted bores to some extent because of the corrosive primer used. If the bore is relatively nice you might present the dealer with your research and offer what you consider a reasonable price. Nothing to lose, he already knows you're a serious buyer. KFS

11-29-2002, 08:31 PM	#6
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hello Karl, In Sub Vet's other posting, titled "What A Day", I think he mentioned this LP-08 was to run a bit over $ 1,700.00... Regards, Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />