Books about Lugers

briskspirit · 09-12-2020, 10:21 AM

Hi all!

I am looking to buy some books to read more about Lugers.
Ordered The Luger Book: The Encyclopedia of the Borchardt and Borchardt-Luger Handguns(by John Walter) from amazon - what's your opinion on this one?

Also looking for Imperial Lugers and Accessories (by Jan C Still) - are they truly so rare and high priced? How much would you pay for that book? (As I see them from 300 to 900 $!)

What else should I read? (I am more interested in Imperial era).

Thank you!

Norme · 09-12-2020, 10:42 AM

Hi Igor,
Imperial Lugers is my favorite Luger reference of all time and it's well worth reaching for. It's a little dated now but it's the most readable of all. For the same money You can buy the Borchardt 3 volume work by Görtz/Sturgess from Simsons for $300.00, it contains everything you need to know, and a lot you don't need. It's a bit of a slog but it's very up to date.
Norm

briskspirit · 09-12-2020, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norme

Hi Igor,
Imperial Lugers is my favorite Luger reference of all time and it's well worth reaching for. It's a little dated now but it's the most readable of all. For the same money You can buy the Borchardt 3 volume work by Görtz/Sturgess from Simsons for $300.00, it contains everything you need to know, and a lot you don't need. It's a bit of a slog but it's very up to date.
Norm

So you are suggesting to buy Borchardt instead of Imperial Luger? (I can afford only one high priced book...)

lugerholsterrepair · 09-12-2020, 12:16 PM

You can buy the Borchardt 3 volume work by Görtz/Sturgess from Simsons for $300.00
YES! If you want solid information and a LOT of it. The Jan Still Imperial Luger book is also a classic and a must have..But I would buy Borchardt and save up for Imperial later. You should be able to find a copy for $300 if you keep your eyes peeled.

Norme · 09-12-2020, 12:30 PM

Hi Igor,
I bought Imperial years ago when it only cost about 60 bucks (not that cheap in those days!) and it really got me hooked on collecting Imperial Lugers in general and Imperial Navy Lugers in particular.
Görtz/Sturgess is a monumental work, it's more up-to-date and contains everything you need to know and even more that you don't need, but it's a textbook and a pretty dry read.
In the end it's your choice
Norm

wlyon · 09-12-2020, 01:07 PM

I would recommend buying both over time. If you want basic good information that will satisfy most collectors buy the Still book. If you want tons of information, and I mean tons buy the Gortz/Sturgess. I have both but must admit I refer to Still's more frequently. Both are excellent. Bill

Dwight Gruber · 09-12-2020, 02:07 PM

John Walters's "The Luger Book" is the best single-volume Luger reference book on the shelf. His "The Luger story" is a good overall brief read.

If your interest is specifically the Imperial era, by all means buy "Imperial Lugers." Wait for a good price or see if somebody on the Forum has one to sell for (relatively) cheap.

I recommend staying away from Görtz/Sturgess volumes until you have a working background knowledge of the topic, or until you have developed a specific collecting interest. They are an indispensable resource, but it is long, disjointedly organized, and an excruciatingly tedious as a book to just read.

--Dwight

Vlim · 09-12-2020, 02:09 PM

It also depends on the era and contracts you are interested in.

There are good specialized books that get into more detail when it comes to (for example) police, navy, Simson, Swiss, Mauser, Post war, etc...

John Walter recently published an updated version of his Luger book. Lots of text, but it will teach the basics quickly.

Görtz/Sturgess stops in 1945.
The Mauser Parabellum book discusses the 1930-48 era,
Etc...

lugerholsterrepair · 09-12-2020, 02:16 PM

John Walters's "The Luger Book" is the best single-volume Luger reference book on the shelf. His "The Luger story" is a good overall brief read.
Not to mention it is inexpensive! Compared.

briskspirit · 09-12-2020, 04:09 PM

What is the difference between "The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols" and "Pistole Parabellum - History of the Luger System" ? Both have the same authors and written in 3 Volumes.

$200 considered a good price for Imperial Lugers?

lugerholsterrepair · 09-12-2020, 04:11 PM

$200 considered a good price for Imperial Lugers? If you know of a copy for that price you better snap it up before someone, anyone, else does!

briskspirit · 09-12-2020, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlim

It also depends on the era and contracts you are interested in.

There are good specialized books that get into more detail when it comes to (for example) police, navy, Simson, Swiss, Mauser, Post war, etc...

John Walter recently published an updated version of his Luger book. Lots of text, but it will teach the basics quickly.

Görtz/Sturgess stops in 1945.
The Mauser Parabellum book discusses the 1930-48 era,
Etc...

I am interested more in Imperial era Lugers. I like everything that was made before the end of the WWI.

lugerholsterrepair · 09-12-2020, 04:29 PM

Interest is sometimes not a fixed entity. Exposure to the complete spectrum through good books could change, or focus your interest. You just never know until you try.

Doubs · 09-12-2020, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Gruber

John Walters's "The Luger Book" is the best single-volume Luger reference book on the shelf. His "The Luger story" is a good overall brief read.

If your interest is specifically the Imperial era, by all means buy "Imperial Lugers." Wait for a good price or see if somebody on the Forum has one to sell for (relatively) cheap.

I recommend staying away from Görtz/Sturgess volumes until you have a working background knowledge of the topic, or until you have developed a specific collecting interest. They are an indispensable resource, but it is long, disjointedly organized, and an excruciatingly tedious as a book to just read.

--Dwight

Generally excellent advice all the way around. John Walter's book "The Luger Story" is a very good single volume that covers a lot of ground and the price is right. "Imperial Lugers" is excellent for the period covered. (Check Abebooks.com for used copies that are quite inexpensive)

I recently purchased the three volume set by Gortz & Sturgess and, as Dwight says, it's disjointed and at times difficult to find what you want. However, it comes with a DVD containing the whole set and I find myself using it more and more as I become comfortable with how to best use it. It is, IMO, the best reference available in spite of it's drawbacks.

Norme · 09-12-2020, 04:42 PM

"What is the difference between "The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols" and "Pistole Parabellum - History of the Luger System" ? Both have the same authors and written in 3 Volumes."

They are the same books. "Pistole Parabellum" is the first edition, called the green set by collectors and is favored by old-fashioned guys like me who like books that lay flat when you open them, are printed on better paper and have bigger and better illustrations. "The Borchardt etc", called the red set, appeals to young fellas who like computers. It comes with a searchable disc that lets you zoom in on the illustrations. It is said to be updated but I have both sets and have only come across one instance where the red set has something extra, a rare accessory that had no illustration in the early set but was illustrated in the later edition.
Norm

briskspirit · 09-12-2020, 05:29 PM

So to sum up:
The Luger Book: The Encyclopedia of the Borchardt and Borchardt-Luger Handguns (John Walter) - BOUGHT for $23.95
Imperial Lugers (Jan Still, First Edition) - BOUGHT for $215 with shipping!

So next should be "The Luger Story" and "The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols" ? (Put on wishlist for my birthday).

Anything else you could advise?

Thank you for all your replies!
This is the best place for those who interested in Lugers and also I've never met better community than you all guys!

Vlim · 09-12-2020, 05:32 PM

The red set actually has several improvements, mainly on the Swiss guns (I know, because I provided the info after reading the 'green' version and noticing the issues it had).

I know of several other experts who provided additional info after the green edition was published.

Did I mention that "The Parabellum Is Bacķ! 1945-2000" is also a wonderful and well researched book?

Edward Tinker · 09-12-2020, 05:56 PM

READ the reviews here on the forum

http://forum.lugerforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=133

see above in the stickies

briskspirit · 09-12-2020, 08:13 PM

Also what's your opinion on "World of Luger: Proof Marks" by Sam Costanzo?

To Edward Tinker - thank you, I have read all pinned posts but in my post I've got slightly different answers as I am focusing mainly on Imperial era right now.

Norme · 09-12-2020, 08:32 PM

"World of Lugers"? It was the only game in town back in the day, but the day was 1977. Save your money.
Norm

09-12-2020, 10:21 AM	#1
briskspirit User Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 58 Thanks: 80 Thanked 28 Times in 12 Posts	Books about Lugers Hi all! I am looking to buy some books to read more about Lugers. Ordered The Luger Book: The Encyclopedia of the Borchardt and Borchardt-Luger Handguns(by John Walter) from amazon - what's your opinion on this one? Also looking for Imperial Lugers and Accessories (by Jan C Still) - are they truly so rare and high priced? How much would you pay for that book? (As I see them from 300 to 900 $!) What else should I read? (I am more interested in Imperial era). Thank you!

09-12-2020, 12:16 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	You can buy the Borchardt 3 volume work by Görtz/Sturgess from Simsons for $300.00 YES! If you want solid information and a LOT of it. The Jan Still Imperial Luger book is also a classic and a must have..But I would buy Borchardt and save up for Imperial later. You should be able to find a copy for $300 if you keep your eyes peeled. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

09-12-2020, 01:07 PM	#6
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,614 Thanks: 3,140 Thanked 2,519 Times in 939 Posts	I would recommend buying both over time. If you want basic good information that will satisfy most collectors buy the Still book. If you want tons of information, and I mean tons buy the Gortz/Sturgess. I have both but must admit I refer to Still's more frequently. Both are excellent. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

09-12-2020, 02:16 PM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	John Walters's "The Luger Book" is the best single-volume Luger reference book on the shelf. His "The Luger story" is a good overall brief read. Not to mention it is inexpensive! Compared. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

09-12-2020, 04:11 PM	#11
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	$200 considered a good price for Imperial Lugers? If you know of a copy for that price you better snap it up before someone, anyone, else does! __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

09-12-2020, 10:42 AM	#2
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	Hi Igor, Imperial Lugers is my favorite Luger reference of all time and it's well worth reaching for. It's a little dated now but it's the most readable of all. For the same money You can buy the Borchardt 3 volume work by Görtz/Sturgess from Simsons for $300.00, it contains everything you need to know, and a lot you don't need. It's a bit of a slog but it's very up to date. Norm

09-12-2020, 12:30 PM	#5
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	Hi Igor, I bought Imperial years ago when it only cost about 60 bucks (not that cheap in those days!) and it really got me hooked on collecting Imperial Lugers in general and Imperial Navy Lugers in particular. Görtz/Sturgess is a monumental work, it's more up-to-date and contains everything you need to know and even more that you don't need, but it's a textbook and a pretty dry read. In the end it's your choice Norm

09-12-2020, 02:07 PM	#7
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	John Walters's "The Luger Book" is the best single-volume Luger reference book on the shelf. His "The Luger story" is a good overall brief read. If your interest is specifically the Imperial era, by all means buy "Imperial Lugers." Wait for a good price or see if somebody on the Forum has one to sell for (relatively) cheap. I recommend staying away from Görtz/Sturgess volumes until you have a working background knowledge of the topic, or until you have developed a specific collecting interest. They are an indispensable resource, but it is long, disjointedly organized, and an excruciatingly tedious as a book to just read. --Dwight

09-12-2020, 02:09 PM	#8
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,032 Thanks: 1,018 Thanked 3,873 Times in 1,184 Posts	It also depends on the era and contracts you are interested in. There are good specialized books that get into more detail when it comes to (for example) police, navy, Simson, Swiss, Mauser, Post war, etc... John Walter recently published an updated version of his Luger book. Lots of text, but it will teach the basics quickly. Görtz/Sturgess stops in 1945. The Mauser Parabellum book discusses the 1930-48 era, Etc...

09-12-2020, 04:09 PM	#10
briskspirit User Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 58 Thanks: 80 Thanked 28 Times in 12 Posts	What is the difference between "The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols" and "Pistole Parabellum - History of the Luger System" ? Both have the same authors and written in 3 Volumes. $200 considered a good price for Imperial Lugers?

09-12-2020, 04:29 PM	#13
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	Interest is sometimes not a fixed entity. Exposure to the complete spectrum through good books could change, or focus your interest. You just never know until you try. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

09-12-2020, 04:42 PM	#15
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	"What is the difference between "The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols" and "Pistole Parabellum - History of the Luger System" ? Both have the same authors and written in 3 Volumes." They are the same books. "Pistole Parabellum" is the first edition, called the green set by collectors and is favored by old-fashioned guys like me who like books that lay flat when you open them, are printed on better paper and have bigger and better illustrations. "The Borchardt etc", called the red set, appeals to young fellas who like computers. It comes with a searchable disc that lets you zoom in on the illustrations. It is said to be updated but I have both sets and have only come across one instance where the red set has something extra, a rare accessory that had no illustration in the early set but was illustrated in the later edition. Norm

09-12-2020, 05:29 PM	#16
briskspirit User Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 58 Thanks: 80 Thanked 28 Times in 12 Posts	So to sum up: The Luger Book: The Encyclopedia of the Borchardt and Borchardt-Luger Handguns (John Walter) - BOUGHT for $23.95 Imperial Lugers (Jan Still, First Edition) - BOUGHT for $215 with shipping! So next should be "The Luger Story" and "The Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols" ? (Put on wishlist for my birthday). Anything else you could advise? Thank you for all your replies! This is the best place for those who interested in Lugers and also I've never met better community than you all guys!

09-12-2020, 05:32 PM	#17
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,032 Thanks: 1,018 Thanked 3,873 Times in 1,184 Posts	The red set actually has several improvements, mainly on the Swiss guns (I know, because I provided the info after reading the 'green' version and noticing the issues it had). I know of several other experts who provided additional info after the green edition was published. Did I mention that "The Parabellum Is Bacķ! 1945-2000" is also a wonderful and well researched book?

09-12-2020, 05:56 PM	#18
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	READ the reviews here on the forum http://forum.lugerforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=133 see above in the stickies

09-12-2020, 08:13 PM	#19
briskspirit User Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 58 Thanks: 80 Thanked 28 Times in 12 Posts	Also what's your opinion on "World of Luger: Proof Marks" by Sam Costanzo? To Edward Tinker - thank you, I have read all pinned posts but in my post I've got slightly different answers as I am focusing mainly on Imperial era right now.

09-12-2020, 08:32 PM	#20
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,414 Thanks: 224 Thanked 2,591 Times in 930 Posts	"World of Lugers"? It was the only game in town back in the day, but the day was 1977. Save your money. Norm