Single best reference book?

John F. · 09-01-2003, 12:35 PM

Hi, I'm new to Lugers, and don't plan to collect them extensively, but would like to learn about them. If you had to pick one reasonably available reference book that gives an excellent overview of Luger pistols, which would it be? I don't mind spending up to $100 for a really good book if needed, as long as it has lots of quality information. Thanks in advance for your recommendations!
John

Vlim · 09-01-2003, 01:31 PM

Hi,

John Walters 'Luger' and 'The Luger Story' are a
good starting point.

Of course there is the Jan Still series if you want to get deeper into a certain era and a very good book by Martens & De Vries about the Dutch Luger.

Jim Keenan · 09-01-2003, 07:57 PM

I am not sure if it is still in print, but Lugers at Random, by Charles Kenyon, has a lot of good info and pictures. Most Luger books are written purely for collectors and deal with the various types and markings; there is almost nothing (at least in English) about production techniques, repair, or the actual functioning of the pistol.

There are also many cheap (or maybe not so cheap) Luger books that simply reprint from the research of others. Because there is little factual information on some aspects of the pistol, some books are so full of speculation ("maybe this" and "possibly that") as to be about worthless. Mistranslations from the German are yet another matter which degrade otherwise worthwhile books.

Jim

Luke · 09-01-2003, 08:28 PM

There is no single book which will provide a comprehensive, in-depth view of Lugers. Jim's suggestion of the Kenyon book, "Lugers at Random," is a good place to start and provides a good overview.

Once you have fully explored Kenyon's book, the Jan Still set will provide excellent, in-depth information on the different Luger categories. My personal favorite is Still's "Imperial Lugers," but I only arrived at that point after researching all types and settling on one area, Imperial Lugers.

Best of luck, and good hunting.

Luke

John F. · 09-02-2003, 07:05 PM

Thanks, all!! I appreciate the good info!
John

Edward Tinker · 09-02-2003, 07:42 PM

What Luke said, if you can figure out which era you like best, than one of Jan Still's three books on era's, Imperial, Weimar and Third Reich Lugers are each a great resource.

I like the older books by Datig and Jones but some of the info is dated, I personnaly think that Kenyon's is a good one also.

Ed

Herb · 09-02-2003, 08:20 PM

Lugers at Random, many sources, varying prices--
http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac...46823554_1:1:1

Johnny C. Kitchens · 09-02-2003, 09:17 PM

John Walter's "Luger" has the best description of how the toggle works on the Luger as well as other firearms which used it or attempted to use it. It is my number one choice!!!

lugerholsterrepair · 09-02-2003, 11:15 PM

John, All good suggestions. I think the Lugers At Random book is good for it's information but really fails in it's photo's They are grainy and not clear to me.

Jan Still's books are heads and shoulders above the LAR book. The photo's are crystal clear and on glossy Museum grade paper. Plus you can't beat the compiled information. Take a look at LAR befor you shell out hard earned bucks for a copy. I sold mine as I couldn't stomach the bad photo's any longer. But thats just me....Jerry Burney

Steve Richards · 09-03-2003, 08:24 PM

This is kind of a cop-out but I would (and did) start with the 5 e-books by Gerard Henrotin. At $7.95 each, the five of them will be less than almost any single hard cover book.

Look farther down in this discussion section for the thread titled : "Tell me about Gerard Henrotin's books." And yes, they are in English. Just download them to the computer that you want to view them on as you cannot move them from one computer to another. You must view them on the computer that you download them to.

Good luck!

John F. · 09-03-2003, 09:20 PM

Jerry, is the information in the Jan Still set comparable to the information in the Kenyon "Lugers at Random" book, or is the Still trilogy primarily preferable due to its excellent photos? Or, do the Kenyon book and Still set complement each other because of the info in the Kenyon book and photo quality of the Still set?
Thanks for the good info!
John

Dwight Gruber · 09-03-2003, 10:03 PM

John,

I would say that Kenyon's book is descriptive, while Still is diagnostic. I find myself referring to Kenyon if I want to check the basics of an unfamiliar pistol, and going to Still for serious detailed research.

I second the thought that there is no one single book which adequately covers both the general topic of the Luger pistol and serves as a comprehensive catalog. I would say that you would not go far wrong with a copy of "Lugers at Random" and Walter's "The Luger Story".

--Dwight

Big Norm · 09-03-2003, 11:15 PM

John,
I have a Mac computer so I can't use the E-books. But John Walthers book "The Luger" is in paper back and out of print. I would estimate that the price will be in the $60 area on Ebay. "Lugers at Random" is a good book too. But it covers all eras of Lugers. "Lugers at Random" would be the best choice for just one must-have book and is best bought on Ebay. Eventually, you will have to get Walthers book. Then when you decide which era of Lugers that you want to focus on, get the Stills books. They are out of print but there is a special going on right now and Jan Stills is offering each of his reprinted books for $65 plus $10 shipping. If you get real serious, then these are must-haves. When Jan Stills runs out of reprints, then his books will revert back to the pre reprint prices of $100-125.
Big Norm

09-01-2003, 12:35 PM	#1
John F. User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Single best reference book? Hi, I'm new to Lugers, and don't plan to collect them extensively, but would like to learn about them. If you had to pick one reasonably available reference book that gives an excellent overview of Luger pistols, which would it be? I don't mind spending up to $100 for a really good book if needed, as long as it has lots of quality information. Thanks in advance for your recommendations! John __________________ John

09-01-2003, 08:28 PM	#4
Luke User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NC - USA Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 6 Posts	There is no single book which will provide a comprehensive, in-depth view of Lugers. Jim's suggestion of the Kenyon book, "Lugers at Random," is a good place to start and provides a good overview. Once you have fully explored Kenyon's book, the Jan Still set will provide excellent, in-depth information on the different Luger categories. My personal favorite is Still's "Imperial Lugers," but I only arrived at that point after researching all types and settling on one area, Imperial Lugers. Best of luck, and good hunting. Luke __________________ "Peace, if possible; truth, at any cost." . . . Martin Luther

09-02-2003, 07:05 PM	#5
John F. User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks, all!! I appreciate the good info! John __________________ John

09-02-2003, 07:42 PM	#6
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,928 Thanks: 2,028 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	What Luke said, if you can figure out which era you like best, than one of Jan Still's three books on era's, Imperial, Weimar and Third Reich Lugers are each a great resource. I like the older books by Datig and Jones but some of the info is dated, I personnaly think that Kenyon's is a good one also. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

09-02-2003, 08:20 PM	#7
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Lugers at Random, many sources, varying prices-- http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac...46823554_1:1:1 __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

09-01-2003, 01:31 PM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi, John Walters 'Luger' and 'The Luger Story' are a good starting point. Of course there is the Jan Still series if you want to get deeper into a certain era and a very good book by Martens & De Vries about the Dutch Luger.

09-01-2003, 07:57 PM	#3
Jim Keenan User Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 184 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I am not sure if it is still in print, but Lugers at Random, by Charles Kenyon, has a lot of good info and pictures. Most Luger books are written purely for collectors and deal with the various types and markings; there is almost nothing (at least in English) about production techniques, repair, or the actual functioning of the pistol. There are also many cheap (or maybe not so cheap) Luger books that simply reprint from the research of others. Because there is little factual information on some aspects of the pistol, some books are so full of speculation ("maybe this" and "possibly that") as to be about worthless. Mistranslations from the German are yet another matter which degrade otherwise worthwhile books. Jim

09-02-2003, 09:17 PM	#8
Johnny C. Kitchens User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 518 Thanks: 0 Thanked 20 Times in 8 Posts	John Walter's "Luger" has the best description of how the toggle works on the Luger as well as other firearms which used it or attempted to use it. It is my number one choice!!! __________________ Johnny C. Kitchens

09-02-2003, 11:15 PM	#9
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,771 Thanks: 4,922 Thanked 3,123 Times in 1,434 Posts	John, All good suggestions. I think the Lugers At Random book is good for it's information but really fails in it's photo's They are grainy and not clear to me. Jan Still's books are heads and shoulders above the LAR book. The photo's are crystal clear and on glossy Museum grade paper. Plus you can't beat the compiled information. Take a look at LAR befor you shell out hard earned bucks for a copy. I sold mine as I couldn't stomach the bad photo's any longer. But thats just me....Jerry Burney __________________ 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."

09-03-2003, 08:24 PM	#10
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	This is kind of a cop-out but I would (and did) start with the 5 e-books by Gerard Henrotin. At $7.95 each, the five of them will be less than almost any single hard cover book. Look farther down in this discussion section for the thread titled : "Tell me about Gerard Henrotin's books." And yes, they are in English. Just download them to the computer that you want to view them on as you cannot move them from one computer to another. You must view them on the computer that you download them to. Good luck!

09-03-2003, 09:20 PM	#11
John F. User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jerry, is the information in the Jan Still set comparable to the information in the Kenyon "Lugers at Random" book, or is the Still trilogy primarily preferable due to its excellent photos? Or, do the Kenyon book and Still set complement each other because of the info in the Kenyon book and photo quality of the Still set? Thanks for the good info! John __________________ John

09-03-2003, 10:03 PM	#12
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,899 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,307 Times in 429 Posts	John, I would say that Kenyon's book is descriptive, while Still is diagnostic. I find myself referring to Kenyon if I want to check the basics of an unfamiliar pistol, and going to Still for serious detailed research. I second the thought that there is no one single book which adequately covers both the general topic of the Luger pistol and serves as a comprehensive catalog. I would say that you would not go far wrong with a copy of "Lugers at Random" and Walter's "The Luger Story". --Dwight

09-03-2003, 11:15 PM	#13
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	John, I have a Mac computer so I can't use the E-books. But John Walthers book "The Luger" is in paper back and out of print. I would estimate that the price will be in the $60 area on Ebay. "Lugers at Random" is a good book too. But it covers all eras of Lugers. "Lugers at Random" would be the best choice for just one must-have book and is best bought on Ebay. Eventually, you will have to get Walthers book. Then when you decide which era of Lugers that you want to focus on, get the Stills books. They are out of print but there is a special going on right now and Jan Stills is offering each of his reprinted books for $65 plus $10 shipping. If you get real serious, then these are must-haves. When Jan Stills runs out of reprints, then his books will revert back to the pre reprint prices of $100-125. Big Norm