New buyer looking at this gun...what do you think?

carl1000 · 08-13-2020, 09:23 AM

So I'm looking at this P-08 Luger from CKguns. I haven't read much about this vendor. I've been doing a lot of research on Lugers to get caught up on the education of them. This one is supposedly 99% finish. The white fill paint doesn't look right. But may be recent. What do you guys think bought this gun? The price doesn't seem bad for what it "supposed" to be. Thanks for any help.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101490582

ithacaartist · 08-13-2020, 10:45 AM

The white is a cosmetic add-on, it didn't leave the factory with it. It can sometimes cover up evidence of pantograph-applied or hand engraved characters which are not original. The proof marks on the right side of the frame are verrry shallow, maybe because the surface was worked down by a refinish. This strikes me as a gun that needs to be examined in-hand to get the right clues to confirm or deny authenticity.

MikeP · 08-13-2020, 11:21 AM

Sure is a shiny example. Close scrutiny is in order.

DTR04 · 08-13-2020, 12:07 PM

Beware. Lists serial as 4059m in header. That is not an "m" in the picture of the pistol. Not sure what letter that is.

Lyn Islaub · 08-13-2020, 02:15 PM

Wrong magazine for this year.

Norme · 08-13-2020, 02:33 PM

I've been harping on this for some time now, white gunk smeared into the markings is a big turn-off for me. It's "lipstick on a pig" in my opinion.
Norm

tharpo · 08-13-2020, 02:35 PM

The gun suffix letter is a "v" and the gun is a 41 byf not 42 as it says in the description.

carl1000 · 08-13-2020, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tharpo

The gun suffix letter is a "v" and the gun is a 41 byf not 42 as it says in the description.

I noticed that. It's not a 42. Definitely a 41. Don't know why they put that

Ron Wood · 08-13-2020, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norme

I've been harping on this for some time now, white gunk smeared into the markings is a big turn-off for me. It's "lipstick on a pig" in my opinion.
Norm

Don't blame the pig.

Ron

Joe in Colorado · 08-15-2020, 12:09 PM

I know our forum is not a place to complain, but I have had a very bad experience with this dealer and definitely feel cheated.

I remember now-unlike every other dealer during a return-he kept the CC fee, later promised compensation then blew it off, even after promising me in person on the phone.

The main issue was his overblown representation of the pistol, including a "mint" but actually very pitted bore.

In trusting him I lost money on the incoming postage, CC fee, incoming and outgoing FFL fees, lost time and aggravation.

Normally I don't make comments like this but please be advised.

Joe

Fla.Mallard · 08-15-2020, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe in Colorado

I know our forum is not a place to complain, but I have had a very bad experience with this dealer and definitely feel cheated.

I remember now-unlike every other dealer during a return-he kept the CC fee, later promised compensation then blew it off, even after promising me in person on the phone.

The main issue was his overblown representation of the pistol, including a "mint" but actually very pitted bore.

In trusting him I lost money on the incoming postage, CC fee, incoming and outgoing FFL fees, lost time and aggravation.

Normally I don't make comments like this but please be advised.

Joe

I, too, have had a bad encounter with this seller. He sold me a 1937 that had rounded corners on close examination and it had the straw parts blued even though it was an early ser.#. It looked like a refinish for a "mint Luger that never went to war." I sent it back and it cost me postage both ways plus insurance .. over $125. He was reluctant to take it back.

mrerick · 08-15-2020, 09:11 PM

Isn't the Mauser "v" block reserved for commercial guns along with the "u" block?

The "million dollar" grip chip must be free on this one...

Wrong description (41 not 42). Wrong suffix letter on frame (v not m). Million dollar chip. Wrong period magazine. Paint concealing markings.

Why would you pay top dollar (actually a price approaching a matching magazine high condition gun) for this?

carl1000 · 08-17-2020, 11:18 PM

Oh, I’m not buying it. To many red flags for sure.

Sergio Natali · 08-18-2020, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norme

I've been harping on this for some time now, white gunk smeared into the markings is a big turn-off for me. It's "lipstick on a pig" in my opinion.
Norm

I agree completely, I never liked all that white not even on a GLOCK.

MikeP · 08-19-2020, 02:06 AM

It takes seconds to remove the white.
There was a dealer of various things I knew around 1962. He whited all the Lugers he sold and a little kit to do it with.
Average Luger price was around $50 bucks.

Doubs · 08-19-2020, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norme

I've been harping on this for some time now, white gunk smeared into the markings is a big turn-off for me. It's "lipstick on a pig" in my opinion. Norm

Agree. I bought a 1900/06 Swiss Luger last week. The cross-in-shield and "DWM" were both filled with white. The first thing I did when I got it home was use Hoppe's #9, a toothbrush and a toothpick to remove it. Now it looks like this:

Yakman · 08-19-2020, 10:09 PM

Doubs, I think what you have looks like a nice gun. Why do you think it is a pig. Norme says you had "lipstick on a pig" and you agreed with him. That expression implies the use of something, lipstick, to disguise the undesirable nature or aspects of an object, your gun. Without the lipstick the object, your gun, would still be a pig.

It only takes a few seconds to remove the white from what appears from your photo to be somewhere around a 98% gun that the a previous owner was proud enough of to try to emphasize its attributes. Certainly his prerogative.

Whiting in markings on Lugers is not attractive, to me. Therefore, no guns of mine have it, but I do have the marker if I wanted to. When I feel the need, I'll mark something I want to emphasize in a photo that might otherwise be hard to see. Oh, is that different? Norme's statement was pretty all encompassing and with some emphasis, "I've been harping", and some gave a thumbs up.

From the sixties into the nineties when I had a gun show display for my Lugers, without some white to show their distinguishing features they were nothing but 58 indistinguishable black guns on an eight foot table to the uninitiated folks this display was supposed to tell a story to. I must say I don't think others thought they looked like pigs with lipstick on them. I won many prizes with my collection, so I hardly think the judges were reminded of pigs with lipstick, either.

I don't think I'm talking to many folks here who have ever had that thrill of competing for prizes at a gun show against all comers, Colt, Winchester, and other Luger collections, and make it to the winner's circle. My friend and most difficult Luger competitor in those days was Grant Eckert, to drop a name.

So, to show total disdain to the white-in says limited experience in Luger collecting to me. It has its place. To acquire Lugers with no theme to the collection makes one a gatherer to me and not a collector. I'm that gatherer today.

One could take one Luger, say an '06 Cross In Shield, put it standing on its stand with it being the only item on your table at your local gun show and it would only draw glances. White in the distinguishing features, make an attractive explanation sheet giving its history, importance, some technical details like caliber, barrel length, etc. and you'll stand there all day answering questions from interested show goers who would have otherwise walked on by.

Jack

Doubs · 08-20-2020, 01:27 AM

Jack, I think Norme means that using white on a Luger - no mater how nice the gun - can hide faults such as an over stamp or a stamp that has been "enhanced". Thus, "lipstick on a pig". perhaps not the best way to say it but it makes the point.

My Swiss is at least 95%, all matching and truly very nice. I don't put mine on display except in pictures and I make sure that my lighting shows the markings very well. It's a personal choice and I avoid it for the most part.

DonVoigt · 08-20-2020, 08:58 AM

If the luger already has "white", I leave it; if not- I don't add it.

Either way it is not a big deal! Vote with your toothbrush! JMHO

DonVoigt · 08-20-2020, 08:59 AM

If the luger already has "white", I leave it; if not- I don't add it.

Either way it is not a big deal! Vote with your toothbrush! JMHO

08-13-2020, 09:23 AM	#1
carl1000 User Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 35 Times in 5 Posts	New buyer looking at this gun...what do you think? So I'm looking at this P-08 Luger from CKguns. I haven't read much about this vendor. I've been doing a lot of research on Lugers to get caught up on the education of them. This one is supposedly 99% finish. The white fill paint doesn't look right. But may be recent. What do you guys think bought this gun? The price doesn't seem bad for what it "supposed" to be. Thanks for any help. https://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n_id=101490582

08-13-2020, 10:45 AM	#2
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,282 Thanks: 7,007 Thanked 2,476 Times in 1,319 Posts	The white is a cosmetic add-on, it didn't leave the factory with it. It can sometimes cover up evidence of pantograph-applied or hand engraved characters which are not original. The proof marks on the right side of the frame are verrry shallow, maybe because the surface was worked down by a refinish. This strikes me as a gun that needs to be examined in-hand to get the right clues to confirm or deny authenticity. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

08-15-2020, 09:11 PM	#12
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	Isn't the Mauser "v" block reserved for commercial guns along with the "u" block? The "million dollar" grip chip must be free on this one... Wrong description (41 not 42). Wrong suffix letter on frame (v not m). Million dollar chip. Wrong period magazine. Paint concealing markings. Why would you pay top dollar (actually a price approaching a matching magazine high condition gun) for this? __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

08-20-2020, 08:58 AM	#19
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	If the luger already has "white", I leave it; if not- I don't add it. Either way it is not a big deal! Vote with your toothbrush! JMHO __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

08-20-2020, 08:59 AM	#20
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,677 Thanks: 1,439 Thanked 4,347 Times in 2,038 Posts	If the luger already has "white", I leave it; if not- I don't add it. Either way it is not a big deal! Vote with your toothbrush! JMHO __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

08-13-2020, 11:21 AM	#3
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Sure is a shiny example. Close scrutiny is in order.

08-13-2020, 12:07 PM	#4
DTR04 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 51 Thanks: 90 Thanked 35 Times in 17 Posts	Beware. Lists serial as 4059m in header. That is not an "m" in the picture of the pistol. Not sure what letter that is.

08-13-2020, 02:15 PM	#5
Lyn Islaub Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 435 Thanks: 3 Thanked 152 Times in 72 Posts	Wrong magazine for this year.

08-13-2020, 02:33 PM	#6
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	I've been harping on this for some time now, white gunk smeared into the markings is a big turn-off for me. It's "lipstick on a pig" in my opinion. Norm

08-13-2020, 02:35 PM	#7
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 536 Thanks: 116 Thanked 375 Times in 153 Posts	The gun suffix letter is a "v" and the gun is a 41 byf not 42 as it says in the description.

08-15-2020, 12:09 PM	#10
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 102 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	I know our forum is not a place to complain, but I have had a very bad experience with this dealer and definitely feel cheated. I remember now-unlike every other dealer during a return-he kept the CC fee, later promised compensation then blew it off, even after promising me in person on the phone. The main issue was his overblown representation of the pistol, including a "mint" but actually very pitted bore. In trusting him I lost money on the incoming postage, CC fee, incoming and outgoing FFL fees, lost time and aggravation. Normally I don't make comments like this but please be advised. Joe

08-17-2020, 11:18 PM	#13
carl1000 User Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 16 Thanks: 0 Thanked 35 Times in 5 Posts	Oh, I’m not buying it. To many red flags for sure.

08-19-2020, 02:06 AM	#15
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	It takes seconds to remove the white. There was a dealer of various things I knew around 1962. He whited all the Lugers he sold and a little kit to do it with. Average Luger price was around $50 bucks.

08-19-2020, 10:09 PM	#17
Yakman User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 119 Thanks: 878 Thanked 81 Times in 40 Posts	Doubs, I think what you have looks like a nice gun. Why do you think it is a pig. Norme says you had "lipstick on a pig" and you agreed with him. That expression implies the use of something, lipstick, to disguise the undesirable nature or aspects of an object, your gun. Without the lipstick the object, your gun, would still be a pig. It only takes a few seconds to remove the white from what appears from your photo to be somewhere around a 98% gun that the a previous owner was proud enough of to try to emphasize its attributes. Certainly his prerogative. Whiting in markings on Lugers is not attractive, to me. Therefore, no guns of mine have it, but I do have the marker if I wanted to. When I feel the need, I'll mark something I want to emphasize in a photo that might otherwise be hard to see. Oh, is that different? Norme's statement was pretty all encompassing and with some emphasis, "I've been harping", and some gave a thumbs up. From the sixties into the nineties when I had a gun show display for my Lugers, without some white to show their distinguishing features they were nothing but 58 indistinguishable black guns on an eight foot table to the uninitiated folks this display was supposed to tell a story to. I must say I don't think others thought they looked like pigs with lipstick on them. I won many prizes with my collection, so I hardly think the judges were reminded of pigs with lipstick, either. I don't think I'm talking to many folks here who have ever had that thrill of competing for prizes at a gun show against all comers, Colt, Winchester, and other Luger collections, and make it to the winner's circle. My friend and most difficult Luger competitor in those days was Grant Eckert, to drop a name. So, to show total disdain to the white-in says limited experience in Luger collecting to me. It has its place. To acquire Lugers with no theme to the collection makes one a gatherer to me and not a collector. I'm that gatherer today. One could take one Luger, say an '06 Cross In Shield, put it standing on its stand with it being the only item on your table at your local gun show and it would only draw glances. White in the distinguishing features, make an attractive explanation sheet giving its history, importance, some technical details like caliber, barrel length, etc. and you'll stand there all day answering questions from interested show goers who would have otherwise walked on by. Jack

08-20-2020, 01:27 AM	#18
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 769 Thanked 1,611 Times in 525 Posts	Jack, I think Norme means that using white on a Luger - no mater how nice the gun - can hide faults such as an over stamp or a stamp that has been "enhanced". Thus, "lipstick on a pig". perhaps not the best way to say it but it makes the point. My Swiss is at least 95%, all matching and truly very nice. I don't put mine on display except in pictures and I make sure that my lighting shows the markings very well. It's a personal choice and I avoid it for the most part.