Rock Island April Auction

[Big Norm]

Does anybody know what that 1906 commercial navy w/holster and stock eventually sold for at the April auction by Rock Island? I am just curious.
Big Norm

[Navy]

From John James courtesy of Jan's board..

LUGERS

LOT 3647 1900 AM. EAGLE $4,750.00

LOT 3648 FULL BOX AMMO 7.65MM PATRONEN/20R SELBSTLADE $900.00

LOT3650 1900 AM. EA. W/MANUAL & 2 SPARE MAGS $7,000.00

LOT 3653 1906 AM. EA. 9 M/M IN ORIGINAL BOX, ENGLISH MANUAL AND
SPARE MAG $10,000.00

LOT 3654 1906 COMMERCIAL NAVY W/RIG $13,000.00

LOT 3655 BROWN LUGER COMMERCIAL HOLSTER $1,300.00

LOT 3656 COMMERCIAL HOLSTER FOR NAVY LUGER $1,900.00

LOT 3657 1906 COMMERCIAL 7.65 M/M HOLSTER AND BELT $5,000.00

LOT 3658 KRIEGHOFF S/N P 1137 $7,000.00

LOT 3661 1914 DWM COMMERCIAL W/HOLSTER $3,750.00

LOT 3660 1906 COMMERCIAL 9 M/M $4,000.00

LOT 3662 1920 DWM COMMERCIAL IN ORIGINAL BOX $4,750.00

The good news is our stuff is increasing in value; the bad news is its gonna be hard to find good deals..

Ah, American capitalism...what a wonderful thing..

Tom A

[Frank H]

Tom--Is anything from this auction coming to live with you? Thanks for the post!

[Navy]

Hi Frank,

Alas no, but I do own Kreighoff P-1135, a "close relative" of P-1137; I was tempted to bid on it but knew if I did I would be setting myself up to go nutz searching for P-1136.

Tom A

[Big Norm]

Holy Cow!!! The bad news is that I shouldn't attend this auction. The good news is that it looks like I am a millionaire. Geez, $13,000 for a commercial 1906 navy rig!! Jerry Peters and I thought maybe $8,000 to $10,000. I thought ten grand would be pushing it. I missed seeing the commercial holster for the navy, but $1,900????

The 1906 commercial 9mm for $4000, was that the fat barrel? That was my alternative gun to look at. Oh well, we were all warned about the prices at this auction. It looks like the bidders went crazy.

This auction gives me mixed feelings. Many of my friends critisized me for sinking so much money into Lugers, especially ones that they knew that I would never shoot. Its just that these prices are coming a lot sooner than I thought. Its going to be hard for new people to get into collecting Lugers.
Big Norm

[Big Norm]

Just a little after thought, does a commercial holster and a stock for a 1906 commercial navy have any special markings on them?
Big Norm

[Navy]

Norm, et al...

The wisdom of buying the *very best* one could afford during the Luger market slump of the past 8-9 years has been vendicated. I figure my collection has increased by about 20% in value based on these numbers.

As George Anderson so aptly phrased it on Jan's board, "His future widow was very pleased with the results." Or words to that effect.

Tom A.

[Big Norm]

Tom A,
I take your last post to mean that George Anderson is still alive. Also, what slump in prices? Gotta go an re-oil some guns.
Big Norm

[George Anderson]

Still alive and lurking in the shadows. Trying to keep out of my wife's way.

[Edward Tinker]

See Geo, we are all much alike,

[George Anderson]

Ed, please check you emails I have another request for you.geo

[Lugers down under]

I paid NZ$2750 (US$1800) for a 1917 DWM Double date complete rig with WW2 depot proofs in correct holster last week down here in NZ. The bidding was fierce including many postal bids.
I did not believe it would go so high but it did.
It is a sign of the times guys.
I know of NZ biiders on the Rock Island Auction and a Luger collector friend of mine here was prepared to go to $12K on the navy and it went for more.
We discussed it prior to the Auction and we are also very surprised.
Regards

[Big Norm]

Gentlemen,
we all must consider that this is an exceptional auction with exceptional prices. Put these prices on a Luger at a Michigan gun show and the guns and holsters will just sit there. If money were your motivating factor, you would make more money in a banks money market account, if you take a time factor into consideration.

Another consideration is the condition of the articles sold. From the pictures and other information supplied, the articles look and sound in exceptional condition. But, anybody who has been on this forum for any length of time knows, pictures and supplied information by the seller are not a good substitute for actually handling the article for sale. Some people bust their butts trying to give accurate information while others are not so careful. These articles that are sold at auctions are not returnable.

Finally, after some thought, this auction has a 15% buyers premium as well as a 2.5% premium for purchases with a credit card. Are the prices stated taking into account these large premiums?

These factors should be taken into consideration when looking at these auction prices. On this forum, we have many different kinds of people. Some just want something to shoot, some are into it just to make money and some are collectors. Personally, I am one of the later. I buy at what I think is a reasonable price and only rarely sell or trade. Even without knowing more about these prices and other add on costs (to speak nothing of the real physical condition of the articles), I consider the prices to be rediculous. I worry that people are going think that these prices are the standard prices even for shooter quality Lugers. Are we approaching a "Tulip Bulb" depression in Lugers? Or the famous term of Allen Greenspans of "Irrational Exuberance"? Or is this just another fine example of capitalism doing what it is supposed to do?
Big Norm

[JL]

I was at the auction. There were very high quality weapons in many different catagories. The prices for military rifles helmets and most other things that I follow were above the usual range at this venue. The cheapest German 98k rifle sold for $1,600 if I remember correctly and that is before the 15% premium. The 2.5% on credit cards was new for the april auction.
The navy luger was a beauty. JL

[Imperial Arms]

For those who are interested, the price realized sheet for the April auction is now available on the RIA web site.

Cheers,
Albert