"Is Luger collecting really dead?"

383 magnum · 05-09-2007, 03:14 PM

That is the first sentence in an article on Lugers in the 1972 book "Guns of the World." The article was written by Jim Helms and Bill Evans. It also states, "Some collectors are fed-up with paying the stupendously high prices commanded for the Luger and have turned to other fields saying that Lugers have 'dried up."'
That just shows that some things never change. Collectors were complaining about the high prices even in the so-called "good old days." The article lists values of different Lugers that range from $150 for a 1914 military to $950 for a 1902 carbine, both excellent condition. An S/42 dated Luger is valued at $75 in fair, $125 in good and $165 in excellent.
I realize these values cannot be compared to today considering inflation, but that two gun writers had the idea in 1972 that Lugers were drying up seems hard to believe35 years later.
I wonder what they would (or are) saying today?

Dwight Gruber · 05-09-2007, 04:16 PM

Actually you can compare them.

1914 military 1972 dollars = $150; 2006 dollars = $721

1902 carbine 1972 dollars = $950; 2006 dollars = $4,568

S/42 fair 1972 dollars = $75; 2006 dollars = $360
-------good 1972 dollars = $125; 2006 dollars = $601
-------excellent 1972 dollars = $165; 2006 dollars = $793

Prices are going up--a lot--on an objective, realistic basis.

--Dwight

SS109 · 06-06-2007, 11:44 PM

I think the Luger prices are high even though P08's continue to be imported. Based on supply & demand Luger prices should be holding steady, increased supply and increased demand.

lew1 · 06-07-2007, 07:14 AM

You have two factors involved. The first is that when the lugers are imported, they are priced close to the existing base. So the owner or buyer of a non-import marked luger thinks that such item is worth more.

The second is that the imported lugers, for the most part, are coming in at the lower end of the market and more people can and do afford them. This leads to an increased number of people interested in them which increases the demand for the non-import lugers, thereby increasing the price.

05-09-2007, 03:14 PM	#1
383 magnum User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 120 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	"Is Luger collecting really dead?" That is the first sentence in an article on Lugers in the 1972 book "Guns of the World." The article was written by Jim Helms and Bill Evans. It also states, "Some collectors are fed-up with paying the stupendously high prices commanded for the Luger and have turned to other fields saying that Lugers have 'dried up."' That just shows that some things never change. Collectors were complaining about the high prices even in the so-called "good old days." The article lists values of different Lugers that range from $150 for a 1914 military to $950 for a 1902 carbine, both excellent condition. An S/42 dated Luger is valued at $75 in fair, $125 in good and $165 in excellent. I realize these values cannot be compared to today considering inflation, but that two gun writers had the idea in 1972 that Lugers were drying up seems hard to believe35 years later. I wonder what they would (or are) saying today?

06-06-2007, 11:44 PM	#3
SS109 User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jefferson, CO Posts: 56 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think the Luger prices are high even though P08's continue to be imported. Based on supply & demand Luger prices should be holding steady, increased supply and increased demand. __________________ 1916 LP08 1923 9mm P08 Commercial Import 1920 .30 Luger Commercial

06-07-2007, 07:14 AM	#4
lew1 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 82 Thanked 204 Times in 112 Posts	You have two factors involved. The first is that when the lugers are imported, they are priced close to the existing base. So the owner or buyer of a non-import marked luger thinks that such item is worth more. The second is that the imported lugers, for the most part, are coming in at the lower end of the market and more people can and do afford them. This leads to an increased number of people interested in them which increases the demand for the non-import lugers, thereby increasing the price. __________________ charlie

05-09-2007, 04:16 PM	#2
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Actually you can compare them. 1914 military 1972 dollars = $150; 2006 dollars = $721 1902 carbine 1972 dollars = $950; 2006 dollars = $4,568 S/42 fair 1972 dollars = $75; 2006 dollars = $360 -------good 1972 dollars = $125; 2006 dollars = $601 -------excellent 1972 dollars = $165; 2006 dollars = $793 Prices are going up--a lot--on an objective, realistic basis. --Dwight