Shooter value

hayhugh · 09-22-2020, 09:41 AM

What is a shooter worth? The way I understand it is: if you take a Luger and make changes (change numbers, change parts, refinish upper/ lower) you have made it into a shooter. Does it make a difference how many changes were made (only one or a half a dozen) Now then, does the shooters value change according to the value of the gun before the changes were made or is a shooter a shooter? Most posts I have seen mention $1000.00 or less as a shooters value. What say you???

Sergio Natali · 09-22-2020, 10:35 AM

I don't know how it's in the States, but here in Italy a "shooter" is a gun that has been modified one or more times, refinished etc, in other words that it is no longer "original", and therefore wouldn't be a problem to use it for fun at the shooting range. Usually a "shooter" hardly costs much more than 1K €

Karl · 09-22-2020, 11:16 AM

There is no simple answer other than a shooter is worth whatever you are willing to pay for it. Some shooters are very nice, others have no merit other than they shoot. I think that the $1000. or less range is a good estimate, with mostly original examples at the top and buffed-out or otherwise seriously flawed examples at the bottom. I paid $1500. for my artillery Luger shooter which is in excellent original condition except that it is an upper-lower mismatch. I am satisfied with what I paid.

KFS

HerrKaiser · 09-22-2020, 07:36 PM

Similar to others here, I paid $1000 for an all matching commercial 1920's 5 digit gun with a large spot of finish rash but otherwise great blue (my "collectible shooter" as I call it), another $1000 for a G.T. build Mauser shooter with different toggle train that has functioned flawlessly, and another ~$1500 for a matching Erfurt Artillery shooter that has been refinished and re-strawed.

My shooters just happen to be really nice looking to me and all have worked without a hitch so far, easily worth the money. I've seen more mongrel and problematic shooters sell for $900 or even lower. Heck, I saw a nice looking, original finish-but British proofed- 1918 DWM just go for $925 on the other gun boards, and I wouldn't even call that a shooter as the British proofs to me are part of the gun's WWI or WWII heritage as a British trophy.

hayhugh · 09-24-2020, 10:36 AM

I have a Navy and I think the frame is the only original part and it has been refinished.

Joe in Colorado · 09-24-2020, 09:18 PM

I was thinking of posting this anyway, and now it fits great with this thread on shooters.

Here is a shooter now on GB, clearly disclosed by the seller, currently at $555.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/879435652

I think it looks cool-a model 1900 Black Widow!

Seriously though-in general-do really old Lugers like this need a good spring/etc check before shooting?

Another example-I have an "06/24" Bern, a recent import that seems reworked for post-service Swiss target practice-the firing pin mismatched, the sear bar is white, the trigger is great but scary light, the recoil spring seems light offhand. OK to try it?

Best Wishes, Joe

spacecoast · 09-25-2020, 07:43 AM

That's an interesting gun - one of "US Test Configuration" pistols that has a serial number too high to be on the Bannerman list. It would certainly be a unique shooter, but I would be a little concerned about the repair to the right side of the pistol. You might also ask for a picture with the grips off to see if the flat recoil spring has been changed to a coil spring. That may be why they refer to it as a "1902" model rather than a Model 1900.

Ron Wood · 09-25-2020, 09:11 AM

That "repair" to the right side of the pistol is an unfortunate attempt to stake the toggle lock frame catch. These were originally friction mounted and silver soldered, They sometimes work loose, particularly if a high temperature hot blue was used for refinishing, and I have seen a number of examples where the catch was missing. As far as function goes, a missing catch does not matter much. have no idea why they designated it a "1902" other than being misinformed...a 1902 still has a flat recoil spring. Not a bad looking early shooter for 500+ bucks, wouldn't want to go much higher though.

But, it is a new number for the "Test Configuration" data base so that makes me happy.
Ron

09-22-2020, 09:41 AM	#1
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 886 Thanks: 851 Thanked 508 Times in 271 Posts	Shooter value What is a shooter worth? The way I understand it is: if you take a Luger and make changes (change numbers, change parts, refinish upper/ lower) you have made it into a shooter. Does it make a difference how many changes were made (only one or a half a dozen) Now then, does the shooters value change according to the value of the gun before the changes were made or is a shooter a shooter? Most posts I have seen mention $1000.00 or less as a shooters value. What say you???

09-22-2020, 10:35 AM	#2
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	I don't know how it's in the States, but here in Italy a "shooter" is a gun that has been modified one or more times, refinished etc, in other words that it is no longer "original", and therefore wouldn't be a problem to use it for fun at the shooting range. Usually a "shooter" hardly costs much more than 1K € __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

09-22-2020, 07:36 PM	#4
HerrKaiser User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: South Carolina Posts: 812 Thanks: 762 Thanked 807 Times in 383 Posts	Similar to others here, I paid $1000 for an all matching commercial 1920's 5 digit gun with a large spot of finish rash but otherwise great blue (my "collectible shooter" as I call it), another $1000 for a G.T. build Mauser shooter with different toggle train that has functioned flawlessly, and another ~$1500 for a matching Erfurt Artillery shooter that has been refinished and re-strawed. My shooters just happen to be really nice looking to me and all have worked without a hitch so far, easily worth the money. I've seen more mongrel and problematic shooters sell for $900 or even lower. Heck, I saw a nice looking, original finish-but British proofed- 1918 DWM just go for $925 on the other gun boards, and I wouldn't even call that a shooter as the British proofs to me are part of the gun's WWI or WWII heritage as a British trophy. __________________ -QM Looking for Mauser S/42 toggle train #22

09-24-2020, 09:18 PM	#6
Joe in Colorado User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 71 Thanks: 102 Thanked 136 Times in 38 Posts	Model 1900 Black Widow I was thinking of posting this anyway, and now it fits great with this thread on shooters. Here is a shooter now on GB, clearly disclosed by the seller, currently at $555. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/879435652 I think it looks cool-a model 1900 Black Widow! Seriously though-in general-do really old Lugers like this need a good spring/etc check before shooting? Another example-I have an "06/24" Bern, a recent import that seems reworked for post-service Swiss target practice-the firing pin mismatched, the sear bar is white, the trigger is great but scary light, the recoil spring seems light offhand. OK to try it? Best Wishes, Joe Attached Thumbnails

09-25-2020, 07:43 AM	#7
spacecoast User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL and PA Posts: 332 Thanks: 276 Thanked 243 Times in 109 Posts	That's an interesting gun - one of "US Test Configuration" pistols that has a serial number too high to be on the Bannerman list. It would certainly be a unique shooter, but I would be a little concerned about the repair to the right side of the pistol. You might also ask for a picture with the grips off to see if the flat recoil spring has been changed to a coil spring. That may be why they refer to it as a "1902" model rather than a Model 1900. __________________ My avatars are the Bulgarian word for "Fire", as seen on my 1900, 1906 and 1908 Bulgarian Contract DWM Lugers. Looking for a DWM Commercial side plate #95

09-22-2020, 11:16 AM	#3
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 515 Thanks: 0 Thanked 253 Times in 112 Posts	There is no simple answer other than a shooter is worth whatever you are willing to pay for it. Some shooters are very nice, others have no merit other than they shoot. I think that the $1000. or less range is a good estimate, with mostly original examples at the top and buffed-out or otherwise seriously flawed examples at the bottom. I paid $1500. for my artillery Luger shooter which is in excellent original condition except that it is an upper-lower mismatch. I am satisfied with what I paid. KFS

09-24-2020, 10:36 AM	#5
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 886 Thanks: 851 Thanked 508 Times in 271 Posts	I have a Navy and I think the frame is the only original part and it has been refinished.

09-25-2020, 09:11 AM	#8
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,992 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	That "repair" to the right side of the pistol is an unfortunate attempt to stake the toggle lock frame catch. These were originally friction mounted and silver soldered, They sometimes work loose, particularly if a high temperature hot blue was used for refinishing, and I have seen a number of examples where the catch was missing. As far as function goes, a missing catch does not matter much. have no idea why they designated it a "1902" other than being misinformed...a 1902 still has a flat recoil spring. Not a bad looking early shooter for 500+ bucks, wouldn't want to go much higher though. But, it is a new number for the "Test Configuration" data base so that makes me happy. Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction