Future of collecting Luger's - Page 2

frankstah · 09-20-2020, 01:10 PM

Hi everyone,

Just joined the forum and read this post - hello from Texas! I'm in my mid-twenties and only recently developed a deep appreciation of WW2 milsurp and relics after visiting multiple museums over a few years.

I have acquired a decent collection with my millennial budget, however the prices for all milsurps have gone up astronomically over the past few years. I regret being late to the game, but collecting was simply not feasible while I was in Uni.

Decided it was time to look for my first WW2 handgun and the Luger was the obvious choice. I know the wartime Lugers will be a little more expensive but I am prepared to shell it out. Looking forward to learning more about these beautiful handguns.

I am thinking about utilizing the trader boards here since I don't feel comfortable enough with my P08 knowledge to be going on Gunbroker.

Heinz · 09-20-2020, 05:55 PM

Welcome to the forum. Good plan on using the forum for purchases. If you get tempted on Gunbroker be sure to post it here BEFORE you buy. The experts here will check out the photos as best they can. If it has poor photos it is probably on purpose.

frankstah · 09-20-2020, 07:40 PM

Thank you! Am I allowed to post GB auctions for review? or only the pictures, etc. I've been trying to go through completed auctions and determining if there is anything off.

spacecoast · 09-21-2020, 08:43 AM

Of course you can post links to auctions - at the risk that you may attract another bidder if the gun turns out to be legit. But many collectors are not looking at acquiring more guns at this time, so it's usually more helpful than not in identifying guns that don't measure up to the description.

frankstah · 09-21-2020, 01:19 PM

I had the same thought.

I'd rather have the piece of mind of what I am bidding on being legit even if I do go into a bidding war, than not have any input from the experts on this forum.

Hopefully the folks here with advanced collections will let a guy get his 1st Luger without much competition

Diver6106 · 10-10-2020, 03:52 PM

Classic guns will always be prized... and the Luger is one. As for not making any more, well they are still being made if you read other sections on this blog, and dug battlefield relics and parts are STILL being assembled into working pistols. In fact they have ended and then picked up for production again SEVERAL times in the past. And just like black powder cap and ball pistols, this is likely to continue in the future. Although "anything after 1918 is a copy..." and 'originals' will always be valued.

cirelaw · 10-10-2020, 08:21 PM

Right On!!

Fla.Mallard · 10-11-2020, 12:53 PM

I'm old also and have appreciated guns all my life. I never differentiated between types of guns (pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, etc.) until I was in my 30s. Now I only appreciate what I call 'real' guns, those made of steel and wood instead of pot metal and plastic.
The esthetic lines of a well-designed gun are like the figure of a beautiful woman to me. A Luger is a Rita Hayworth while a Glock is a mature Shelley Winters.

The plummeting buying value of currencies makes collecting rare things profitable like 'real' guns and gold coins. I sure hope I'm right because, otherwise, my children will inherit boat anchors instead of Colts and Lugers.

Edward Tinker · 10-11-2020, 01:43 PM

I am much like you - i was not 'serious' about specifics until after I 'retired' from the army - had a luger and 1911 but did not know much about them, which is a shame. Then I joined this forum and became a 'collector' instead of an accumulator of guns. I still buy stuff every now and then but try to research before I do.

Sergio Natali · 10-12-2020, 05:51 AM

Perhaps we tend to collect (or accumulate) things that used to fascinate us when we were young, I remember for instance that when I was a kid I had a grey bakelite squirt pistol in the shape of a Luger, it was my favourite toy gun, too bad that I broke it one Sunday afternoon while playing with my cousin...

Memories of many years ago aside, I truly believe that is the reason why so many of us "baby boomers" are interested in old firearms, but I'm afraid these interests will fade away over the next generations. . .

they'll probably collect old smartphones!

4 Scale · 10-14-2020, 08:44 AM

I believe the collecting future of Lugers is quite bright based on the interest and enthusiasm from others when I take my modest shooter collection to the range. Shooters of all ages recognize the pistols and often comment and ask questions. IMO more shooters do not own Lugers because of the perceived cost, relative rarity compared to other types of firearms and an awareness that knowledge is advisable to purchase, evaluate, maintain etc.

IMO for the foreseeable future the Parabellum will remain a popular and iconic bridge to the past and do just fine in terms of holding and moderately increasing in value going forward.

cirelaw · 10-14-2020, 08:52 AM

There are a finite amount of legit historic lugers. The rarer the more covetted! Many seem to be disapppearing as their owners pass on!

Proofed · 10-15-2020, 01:49 PM

I think you are right there are a finite amount of serious historic pistols in the world and also a finite amount of people who know the difference and have the resources to collect them, that number is dwindling also. The amount of time and effort to get up to speed on any type of advanced education on Lugers is measured in years and requires a considerable effort in time and money.
I don't think the interest will go away per say but it may very well go to even less collecting to even more speculating in the coming years. That opens up more room for trolls and bottom feeders into the mix, what a shame.
As the education level drops so will the investment value to a certain extent. I've never bought a luger with the thought of making money there are other ways to do that, as opposed to relying on a volatile collector market. Don't get me wrong there are people who maintain collections of anything who buy sell and trade to continually upgrade the collection over time, that in itself is an artform that requires much discipline.
Buy what you like, like what you buy, don't buy because someone else says you need it for your collecting direction, what makes you happy will probably just make the family around you Wonder
when you finally go away for good.
My 2 cents.

George Anderson · 10-15-2020, 02:29 PM

I believe that the future of Luger collecting and all firearm collecting depends to a certain extent on what happens on the 3rd of November.

hayhugh · 10-15-2020, 03:43 PM

Yes, Trump has been good for the gun market.............

Doubs · 10-15-2020, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Anderson

I believe that the future of Luger collecting and all firearm collecting depends to a certain extent on what happens on the 3rd of November.

I did my part yesterday to protect our passion.

cirelaw · 10-15-2020, 04:28 PM

We did our part!

09-21-2020, 08:43 AM	#24
spacecoast User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL and PA Posts: 332 Thanks: 276 Thanked 243 Times in 109 Posts	Of course you can post links to auctions - at the risk that you may attract another bidder if the gun turns out to be legit. But many collectors are not looking at acquiring more guns at this time, so it's usually more helpful than not in identifying guns that don't measure up to the description. __________________ My avatars are the Bulgarian word for "Fire", as seen on my 1900, 1906 and 1908 Bulgarian Contract DWM Lugers. Looking for a DWM Commercial side plate #95

10-12-2020, 05:51 AM	#30
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	Perhaps we tend to collect (or accumulate) things that used to fascinate us when we were young, I remember for instance that when I was a kid I had a grey bakelite squirt pistol in the shape of a Luger, it was my favourite toy gun, too bad that I broke it one Sunday afternoon while playing with my cousin... Memories of many years ago aside, I truly believe that is the reason why so many of us "baby boomers" are interested in old firearms, but I'm afraid these interests will fade away over the next generations. . . they'll probably collect old smartphones! __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

10-14-2020, 08:44 AM	#31
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 489 Times in 251 Posts	I believe the collecting future of Lugers is quite bright based on the interest and enthusiasm from others when I take my modest shooter collection to the range. Shooters of all ages recognize the pistols and often comment and ask questions. IMO more shooters do not own Lugers because of the perceived cost, relative rarity compared to other types of firearms and an awareness that knowledge is advisable to purchase, evaluate, maintain etc. IMO for the foreseeable future the Parabellum will remain a popular and iconic bridge to the past and do just fine in terms of holding and moderately increasing in value going forward. Last edited by 4 Scale; 10-14-2020 at 03:35 PM.

10-15-2020, 01:49 PM	#33
Proofed User Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Pa. Posts: 157 Thanks: 535 Thanked 338 Times in 90 Posts	My 2 cents on the future I think you are right there are a finite amount of serious historic pistols in the world and also a finite amount of people who know the difference and have the resources to collect them, that number is dwindling also. The amount of time and effort to get up to speed on any type of advanced education on Lugers is measured in years and requires a considerable effort in time and money. I don't think the interest will go away per say but it may very well go to even less collecting to even more speculating in the coming years. That opens up more room for trolls and bottom feeders into the mix, what a shame. As the education level drops so will the investment value to a certain extent. I've never bought a luger with the thought of making money there are other ways to do that, as opposed to relying on a volatile collector market. Don't get me wrong there are people who maintain collections of anything who buy sell and trade to continually upgrade the collection over time, that in itself is an artform that requires much discipline. Buy what you like, like what you buy, don't buy because someone else says you need it for your collecting direction, what makes you happy will probably just make the family around you Wonder when you finally go away for good. My 2 cents.

09-20-2020, 01:10 PM	#21
frankstah User Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 5 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Hi everyone, Just joined the forum and read this post - hello from Texas! I'm in my mid-twenties and only recently developed a deep appreciation of WW2 milsurp and relics after visiting multiple museums over a few years. I have acquired a decent collection with my millennial budget, however the prices for all milsurps have gone up astronomically over the past few years. I regret being late to the game, but collecting was simply not feasible while I was in Uni. Decided it was time to look for my first WW2 handgun and the Luger was the obvious choice. I know the wartime Lugers will be a little more expensive but I am prepared to shell it out. Looking forward to learning more about these beautiful handguns. I am thinking about utilizing the trader boards here since I don't feel comfortable enough with my P08 knowledge to be going on Gunbroker.

09-20-2020, 05:55 PM	#22
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 410 Times in 180 Posts	Welcome to the forum. Good plan on using the forum for purchases. If you get tempted on Gunbroker be sure to post it here BEFORE you buy. The experts here will check out the photos as best they can. If it has poor photos it is probably on purpose.

09-20-2020, 07:40 PM	#23
frankstah User Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 5 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thank you! Am I allowed to post GB auctions for review? or only the pictures, etc. I've been trying to go through completed auctions and determining if there is anything off.

09-21-2020, 01:19 PM	#25
frankstah User Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 5 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	I had the same thought. I'd rather have the piece of mind of what I am bidding on being legit even if I do go into a bidding war, than not have any input from the experts on this forum. Hopefully the folks here with advanced collections will let a guy get his 1st Luger without much competition

10-10-2020, 03:52 PM	#26
Diver6106 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mt. Vernon VA Posts: 244 Thanks: 1,420 Thanked 117 Times in 75 Posts	Classic guns will always be prized... and the Luger is one. As for not making any more, well they are still being made if you read other sections on this blog, and dug battlefield relics and parts are STILL being assembled into working pistols. In fact they have ended and then picked up for production again SEVERAL times in the past. And just like black powder cap and ball pistols, this is likely to continue in the future. Although "anything after 1918 is a copy..." and 'originals' will always be valued.

10-10-2020, 08:21 PM	#27
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Right On!!

10-11-2020, 12:53 PM	#28
Fla.Mallard User Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 99 Thanks: 244 Thanked 95 Times in 37 Posts	I'm old also and have appreciated guns all my life. I never differentiated between types of guns (pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, etc.) until I was in my 30s. Now I only appreciate what I call 'real' guns, those made of steel and wood instead of pot metal and plastic. The esthetic lines of a well-designed gun are like the figure of a beautiful woman to me. A Luger is a Rita Hayworth while a Glock is a mature Shelley Winters. The plummeting buying value of currencies makes collecting rare things profitable like 'real' guns and gold coins. I sure hope I'm right because, otherwise, my children will inherit boat anchors instead of Colts and Lugers.

10-11-2020, 01:43 PM	#29
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,910 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,502 Times in 2,077 Posts	I am much like you - i was not 'serious' about specifics until after I 'retired' from the army - had a luger and 1911 but did not know much about them, which is a shame. Then I joined this forum and became a 'collector' instead of an accumulator of guns. I still buy stuff every now and then but try to research before I do.

10-14-2020, 08:52 AM	#32
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	There are a finite amount of legit historic lugers. The rarer the more covetted! Many seem to be disapppearing as their owners pass on!

10-15-2020, 02:29 PM	#34
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,771 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	I believe that the future of Luger collecting and all firearm collecting depends to a certain extent on what happens on the 3rd of November.

10-15-2020, 03:43 PM	#35
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 883 Thanks: 848 Thanked 507 Times in 270 Posts	Yes, Trump has been good for the gun market.............

10-15-2020, 04:28 PM	#37
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	We did our part!