Another newbie auction buy. How did I do?

thegundude · 04-29-2005, 02:08 PM

Hey guys,

Well, somehow I managed to buy another Luger, my second. Not sure how it happened, to be honest. I saw a 1920 commercial in about 50% blueing condition but with all matching numbers. I've been looking for a shooter and figured that I'd toss in the first bid at the opening price of $500. What I didn't realize was that it was a fairly short auction and I wound up being the only bidder.

I'm not sure if I was the only bidder because I got lucky or if its just not worth the $500 bid to begin with. Did I mention I'm a newbie?

Anyway, here's the closed auction. I don't have the gun just yet to take my own pics, but this should suffice. Another contributing factor to this purchase was that I had dealt with this place before many times and their pictures always look worse that the actual gun once I get it. I trust Collectors Firearms completely.

So please, anyone, tell me what you think. Did I do well, break even or get taken?

http://www.auctionarms.com/closed/di...temNum=6622837

Thanks,

lugerholsterrepair · 04-29-2005, 02:46 PM

Steve, I believe this will be in .30 Luger. The seller dosen't say. Expensive ammo for a shooter. Not a bad price on the pistol though. Jerry Burney

Edward Tinker · 04-29-2005, 03:32 PM

Kind of rough, but not excessive price....

You got another luger!! That is the way to look at it, heck, its just money...

Ed

thegundude · 04-29-2005, 04:53 PM

Yeah Jerry, it's the .30. I don't care about the ammo cost as I don't shoot anything but my CCW gun very often. I did buy it to shoot, but it's not like I'll go through multiple boxes of ammo. In fact, if it's more of a collector piece than a shotter piece, I may not shoot it at all, except to verify function. I'm embarrased by the number of guns I have which I've never shot. Thanks for the confimation of price... :-)

Ed, between you and VIS35, I've been irreversibly infected with "Lugeritis". His reply to that acusation was that he must be the "Typhoid Mary" of Lugers.... :-D I really appreciate the help of the both of you, and a few others, in my edification of Lugers. I really do need to pick up a decent book, but the selections are so caried and many of the ones suggested to me are too expensive (like an $800 gun isn't :-P ) or are backordered. I guess it's time to go back to Amazon and check on them again.

So I did pretty well on my second attempt? I'm glad to hear that.... :-) Thanks guys....

thegundude · 04-29-2005, 04:54 PM

BTW, is this something I should send out to Thor to see what he can do? Or would that just be wasted money?

Ron Wood · 04-29-2005, 05:28 PM

Thor can make it a gun you will always be proud to own, but you will about double your investment.

Tomathvl · 04-29-2005, 05:43 PM

Steve,
Pretty hard to beat Jan Still's books and the price is extremely reasonable if you buy them from him. He sells on eBay and through his web site.

http://www.gunboards.com/luger/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2535

Tom

Edward Tinker · 04-29-2005, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thegundude
Ed, between you and VIS35, I've been irreversibly infected with "Lugeritis". His reply to that acusation was that he must be the "Typhoid Mary" of Lugers.... :-D

I take that as a complimnet, cuz VIS35, he's a really nice guy!

The more collectors the better, as there are tons of guns out there, and each of us likes something a bit different...

thegundude · 04-29-2005, 08:46 PM

Thanks again guys. Maybe I'll reconsider Thors work. I'm sure he's good, but unless his work triples the value of the gun, it's just not worth it to me. I don't mind a slightly "preowned" look, I'm just scared to death of ruining the value, even slightly. And if his work doubles the value, it still doubles the cost. Damned if you do, damned if you don't kinda situation.... :-( But I hear his work is highly recomended.

Tom, I'll drop by and pick up one of Jans books right now. I really need an education and quickly before I buy again! :-O

Ed, yes that was indeed a compliment. But I've got to tell you, that bastage VIS keeps posting pictures of his collection on the Parallax Bills site and is driving me to run up my credit card bill.... :-P Ya gotta love 'em though..... :-D

So, at what point does one decide to sink that kind of money into Thors restorations? At what point is it worth the extra expenditure? I mean, other than just personal preference....

Ron Smith · 04-29-2005, 09:35 PM

Steve,
The difference is, unless you plan on trying to sell it right away. Lugers double in value in just a few years. It will be worth a lot more down the road.

I would highly recommend talking to Ted [Thor] about redoing it. You won't be sorry. Shoot it first to get your enjoyment, because he doesn't do quicky jobs, but he is very ,very good.

I have nothing to gain from this recommendation. Just a word of encouragement.

Ron

thegundude · 04-29-2005, 10:31 PM

Thanks Ron. I'll give it some consideration.... $500 is a lot to spend on "restoring" it though. Wouldn't restoring it somehow reduce it's value? I mean, what could he possibly be able to do to it that won't detract from it's value but make it more appealing at the same time?

I'm cornfused....

thegundude · 04-29-2005, 10:37 PM

Hey Tom, there was a problem with your link. I need to be a member there....

Maybe I'll just try Amazon or something.... Thanks anyway.

Edward Tinker · 04-29-2005, 10:52 PM

Steve, easy to become a member there, it is Jan Stills forum. I am a moderator there, as I am here

PS: I sent you an e-mail or PM earlier...

Ed

thegundude · 04-29-2005, 11:02 PM

Got it and replied...

I seem to remember registering there a long time ago, but I can't remember which address or log in name I used then and I can't seem to make the system recognize me....

I guess I'll just keep looking. I belong to enough groups as it is.... :-P

Edward Tinker · 04-29-2005, 11:09 PM

you can use the same user name and password, makes it easy, easier... I PM'd again.

You want to check it out, just e-mail me...

Aaron · 04-30-2005, 04:58 PM

Because of their abundance, 1920 commercial Lugers are not in demand by collectors unless they are in virtually mint condition, and even then mint commercials can often be bought for $800 to $1000, so the cost of restoration doesn't make a lot of sense. Besides, the value of a restored pistol is not as much as as one with a nice original finish. What you have is a shooter worth $400 to $500, so shoot it and enjoy it. Yes, the ammo is expensive, so buy a couple of boxes, save the cases and do some reloading.

Hugh · 04-30-2005, 06:24 PM

Steve,

Some WD40 and very fine steel wool will make that gun look 50% better!

thegundude · 04-30-2005, 09:53 PM

Thanks for the advice Aaron. I did buy it as a shooter, but I rarely shoot anything other then my CCW gun, in actuality. If I shoot it twice a year, that'll be a lot. I'm just going to have to be more discriminating on my next purchase (and liberal in my spending).

Hugh, that's almost exactly what I intend to do, but I'll use some of the fine machine oil in the machine shop at work. Somehow, it really does wonders with some 0000 brass or steel wool and machine oil. :-)

I do that with many of my "less beautiful" guns and it's amazing how much better they look while still retaining that lovely patina.

Guys, I'm really appreciating all of the advice and thoughts. I'm learning volumes here....

Ron Smith · 04-30-2005, 10:23 PM

Aaron, 10 years ago you could buy a "mint" 1920 commercial for $400-$500. They have gone up just like every other Luger.

Ron

Aaron · 04-30-2005, 10:35 PM

That's exactly what I said, Ron. Today you can buy a minty 1920 for $800 to $1000.

04-29-2005, 02:08 PM	#1
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Another newbie auction buy. How did I do? Hey guys, Well, somehow I managed to buy another Luger, my second. Not sure how it happened, to be honest. I saw a 1920 commercial in about 50% blueing condition but with all matching numbers. I've been looking for a shooter and figured that I'd toss in the first bid at the opening price of $500. What I didn't realize was that it was a fairly short auction and I wound up being the only bidder. I'm not sure if I was the only bidder because I got lucky or if its just not worth the $500 bid to begin with. Did I mention I'm a newbie? Anyway, here's the closed auction. I don't have the gun just yet to take my own pics, but this should suffice. Another contributing factor to this purchase was that I had dealt with this place before many times and their pictures always look worse that the actual gun once I get it. I trust Collectors Firearms completely. So please, anyone, tell me what you think. Did I do well, break even or get taken? http://www.auctionarms.com/closed/di...temNum=6622837 Thanks, __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

04-29-2005, 02:46 PM	#2
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	Steve, I believe this will be in .30 Luger. The seller dosen't say. Expensive ammo for a shooter. Not a bad price on the pistol though. 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."

04-29-2005, 04:53 PM	#4
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Yeah Jerry, it's the .30. I don't care about the ammo cost as I don't shoot anything but my CCW gun very often. I did buy it to shoot, but it's not like I'll go through multiple boxes of ammo. In fact, if it's more of a collector piece than a shotter piece, I may not shoot it at all, except to verify function. I'm embarrased by the number of guns I have which I've never shot. Thanks for the confimation of price... :-) Ed, between you and VIS35, I've been irreversibly infected with "Lugeritis". His reply to that acusation was that he must be the "Typhoid Mary" of Lugers.... :-D I really appreciate the help of the both of you, and a few others, in my edification of Lugers. I really do need to pick up a decent book, but the selections are so caried and many of the ones suggested to me are too expensive (like an $800 gun isn't :-P ) or are backordered. I guess it's time to go back to Amazon and check on them again. So I did pretty well on my second attempt? I'm glad to hear that.... :-) Thanks guys.... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

04-29-2005, 04:54 PM	#5
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	BTW, is this something I should send out to Thor to see what he can do? Or would that just be wasted money? __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

04-29-2005, 05:28 PM	#6
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: 6,986 Thanks: 1,065 Thanked 5,088 Times in 1,674 Posts	Thor can make it a gun you will always be proud to own, but you will about double your investment. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

04-29-2005, 03:32 PM	#3
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	Kind of rough, but not excessive price.... You got another luger!! That is the way to look at it, heck, its just money... Ed

04-29-2005, 05:43 PM	#7
Tomathvl User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Milan, IN Posts: 363 Thanks: 3 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	Steve, Pretty hard to beat Jan Still's books and the price is extremely reasonable if you buy them from him. He sells on eBay and through his web site. http://www.gunboards.com/luger/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2535 Tom

04-29-2005, 08:46 PM	#9
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks again guys. Maybe I'll reconsider Thors work. I'm sure he's good, but unless his work triples the value of the gun, it's just not worth it to me. I don't mind a slightly "preowned" look, I'm just scared to death of ruining the value, even slightly. And if his work doubles the value, it still doubles the cost. Damned if you do, damned if you don't kinda situation.... :-( But I hear his work is highly recomended. Tom, I'll drop by and pick up one of Jans books right now. I really need an education and quickly before I buy again! :-O Ed, yes that was indeed a compliment. But I've got to tell you, that bastage VIS keeps posting pictures of his collection on the Parallax Bills site and is driving me to run up my credit card bill.... :-P Ya gotta love 'em though..... :-D So, at what point does one decide to sink that kind of money into Thors restorations? At what point is it worth the extra expenditure? I mean, other than just personal preference.... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

04-29-2005, 09:35 PM	#10
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Steve, The difference is, unless you plan on trying to sell it right away. Lugers double in value in just a few years. It will be worth a lot more down the road. I would highly recommend talking to Ted [Thor] about redoing it. You won't be sorry. Shoot it first to get your enjoyment, because he doesn't do quicky jobs, but he is very ,very good. I have nothing to gain from this recommendation. Just a word of encouragement. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-29-2005, 10:31 PM	#11
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks Ron. I'll give it some consideration.... $500 is a lot to spend on "restoring" it though. Wouldn't restoring it somehow reduce it's value? I mean, what could he possibly be able to do to it that won't detract from it's value but make it more appealing at the same time? I'm cornfused.... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

04-29-2005, 10:37 PM	#12
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Hey Tom, there was a problem with your link. I need to be a member there.... Maybe I'll just try Amazon or something.... Thanks anyway. __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

04-29-2005, 10:52 PM	#13
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	Steve, easy to become a member there, it is Jan Stills forum. I am a moderator there, as I am here PS: I sent you an e-mail or PM earlier... Ed

04-29-2005, 11:02 PM	#14
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Got it and replied... I seem to remember registering there a long time ago, but I can't remember which address or log in name I used then and I can't seem to make the system recognize me.... I guess I'll just keep looking. I belong to enough groups as it is.... :-P __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

04-29-2005, 11:09 PM	#15
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	you can use the same user name and password, makes it easy, easier... I PM'd again. You want to check it out, just e-mail me... __________________ 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

04-30-2005, 04:58 PM	#16
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Because of their abundance, 1920 commercial Lugers are not in demand by collectors unless they are in virtually mint condition, and even then mint commercials can often be bought for $800 to $1000, so the cost of restoration doesn't make a lot of sense. Besides, the value of a restored pistol is not as much as as one with a nice original finish. What you have is a shooter worth $400 to $500, so shoot it and enjoy it. Yes, the ammo is expensive, so buy a couple of boxes, save the cases and do some reloading.

04-30-2005, 06:24 PM	#17
Hugh RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southeast Texas Swamp Posts: 2,460 Thanks: 2 Thanked 165 Times in 64 Posts	Steve, Some WD40 and very fine steel wool will make that gun look 50% better! __________________ *TRUMP FOR PREZ IN '20!*

04-30-2005, 09:53 PM	#18
thegundude User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Western NC Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for the advice Aaron. I did buy it as a shooter, but I rarely shoot anything other then my CCW gun, in actuality. If I shoot it twice a year, that'll be a lot. I'm just going to have to be more discriminating on my next purchase (and liberal in my spending). Hugh, that's almost exactly what I intend to do, but I'll use some of the fine machine oil in the machine shop at work. Somehow, it really does wonders with some 0000 brass or steel wool and machine oil. :-) I do that with many of my "less beautiful" guns and it's amazing how much better they look while still retaining that lovely patina. Guys, I'm really appreciating all of the advice and thoughts. I'm learning volumes here.... __________________ Keep your knees in the breeze and your iron in the air. ~Steve

04-30-2005, 10:23 PM	#19
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Aaron, 10 years ago you could buy a "mint" 1920 commercial for $400-$500. They have gone up just like every other Luger. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

04-30-2005, 10:35 PM	#20
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	That's exactly what I said, Ron. Today you can buy a minty 1920 for $800 to $1000.