New to Lugers

kolhoznik · 01-02-2011, 02:10 PM

I am looking to purchase my first Lugar and at a local gunshow there was a deal with 3 examples that caught my interest

1. A 1942 BYF that has been reblued $1000 (all matching)

2. A DWM 80% blue made in 1916 $1400 (all matching)

3. A DWM 85% in 1916 $1500 (all matching)

Are any of these good starters or should I keep looking?

I am not sure of mags.

In a separate note does anyone know Sam Hill Lugers in Knoxville, TN? Anything good or bad?

Thanks for any help.

Tomathvl · 01-02-2011, 03:05 PM

keep looking, all three examples over priced.
Tom

kolhoznik · 01-02-2011, 04:06 PM

What would be a reasonable offer on these?

mrerick · 01-02-2011, 04:14 PM

I think that the following are reasonable offers, assuming functionally excellent, all matching parts and a non-matching original period correct magazine:

1. A 1942 BYF that has been reblued $1000 (all matching)

Offer $700 Buy at $750 or less

2. A DWM 80% blue made in 1916 $1400 (all matching)

At this level it is not collectible, so shooter prices. $800 - $850

3. A DWM 85% in 1916 $1500 (all matching)

This is collectible, but lower grade so just above shooter prices: $850-$1000.

None of these are particularly rare. Condition could drive it below or slightly above my estimates.

Check out some of the more reasonable online dealers like Checkpoint Charlies... I don't have any interest in his business, and have not been a customer, but have heard positive things about him.

For example... here's a 42 BYF described as "dipped blue" - probably a refinish:

http://www.checkpointcharlies.com/sh...9&categoryid=9

Marc

Karl · 01-02-2011, 09:28 PM

I have purchased several guns from Charlie Justman (Checkpoint Charlie) and have never been disappointed, but none were truly collector pieces. His descriptions are brief and photos small, so you have to ask the right questions and ask for better photos. He seems to put a premium on WWII era guns and "restored" guns. His prices are certainly better than the high-end dealers like Simpson's.

Mike, before you put down serious money for a collector gun you should do some research and decide what you want to collect, what to look for and what to avoid. While you are figuring that out I suggest that you apply for a "C&R" firearms license that will allow you to buy historic firearms without the hassle and red tape associated with buying modern firearms.
KFS

kolhoznik · 01-03-2011, 12:56 AM

Thank you to everyone who has replied. I have been giving some thought as to what I might like to focus on and German Lugers from WWI and earlier seemed interesting. It seems many of the pricier examples are from WWII. Are there some good affordable pistols from this era?

Jasta2 · 01-03-2011, 09:35 AM

"COLLECTOR PIECES" GRRR!! Whats makes it a collector piece? 85%+matching is not so? I take to be a true 'collector piece' a Luger must be 95%+ and cost in the $3,000 and way up range. I doubt I'll ever own a collector Luger!

John Sabato · 01-03-2011, 10:53 AM

I disagree, all Lugers are collectible to me, but what makes the difference between them is the value placed on them by the current owners, and those who wish to possess them.

Being reblued takes away some of the collector value... mismatched parts takes away some too... but Lugers are counted in finite numbers... there won't be any more ORIGINAL Lugers... so the value of even the parts guns will continue to escalate as more an more new enthusiasts decide that they like them and want to own one.

I remember when then this forum started over a decade ago, that the "new" crop of capture guns were not really thought of as collector pieces and were sold for around $300 for a really nice one! Try to find one today at that price... even a parts gun retails at $600 or higher...

Curly1 · 01-03-2011, 06:51 PM

I have bought several pistols and other items from Charlie Justman also. Great guy, ask for more pics if you want them. He is a 1 man show and doesnt spend a lot of time posting pics on his site but will supply them.

Check your state laws for C&R shipping of handguns to your state. Some do not allow it.

mrerick · 01-03-2011, 07:20 PM

John, I actually agree with you on the collect-ability of all Lugers. I was just repeating what I understood to be "common understanding" of a shooter versus typically "collector valued" luger. Clearly, the market determines the value when a buyer pays for a Luger.

It's interesting to understand that in different parts of the world, different things are valued. Witness Depner's recent posting about his beautiful restoration of a Luger in Hungary.

Depner's Post Link

Marc

DavidJayUden · 01-03-2011, 07:48 PM

One man's shooter is another man's collecter. Or visa versa. There are no hard and fast rules seperating them.
dju

01-02-2011, 02:10 PM	#1
kolhoznik User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 23 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New to Lugers I am looking to purchase my first Lugar and at a local gunshow there was a deal with 3 examples that caught my interest 1. A 1942 BYF that has been reblued $1000 (all matching) 2. A DWM 80% blue made in 1916 $1400 (all matching) 3. A DWM 85% in 1916 $1500 (all matching) Are any of these good starters or should I keep looking? I am not sure of mags. In a separate note does anyone know Sam Hill Lugers in Knoxville, TN? Anything good or bad? Thanks for any help.

01-02-2011, 04:14 PM	#4
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	I think that the following are reasonable offers, assuming functionally excellent, all matching parts and a non-matching original period correct magazine: 1. A 1942 BYF that has been reblued $1000 (all matching) Offer $700 Buy at $750 or less 2. A DWM 80% blue made in 1916 $1400 (all matching) At this level it is not collectible, so shooter prices. $800 - $850 3. A DWM 85% in 1916 $1500 (all matching) This is collectible, but lower grade so just above shooter prices: $850-$1000. None of these are particularly rare. Condition could drive it below or slightly above my estimates. Check out some of the more reasonable online dealers like Checkpoint Charlies... I don't have any interest in his business, and have not been a customer, but have heard positive things about him. For example... here's a 42 BYF described as "dipped blue" - probably a refinish: http://www.checkpointcharlies.com/sh...9&categoryid=9 Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-03-2011, 10:53 AM	#8
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	I disagree, all Lugers are collectible to me, but what makes the difference between them is the value placed on them by the current owners, and those who wish to possess them. Being reblued takes away some of the collector value... mismatched parts takes away some too... but Lugers are counted in finite numbers... there won't be any more ORIGINAL Lugers... so the value of even the parts guns will continue to escalate as more an more new enthusiasts decide that they like them and want to own one. I remember when then this forum started over a decade ago, that the "new" crop of capture guns were not really thought of as collector pieces and were sold for around $300 for a really nice one! Try to find one today at that price... even a parts gun retails at $600 or higher... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

01-03-2011, 06:51 PM	#9
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,242 Thanks: 117 Thanked 714 Times in 371 Posts	I have bought several pistols and other items from Charlie Justman also. Great guy, ask for more pics if you want them. He is a 1 man show and doesnt spend a lot of time posting pics on his site but will supply them. Check your state laws for C&R shipping of handguns to your state. Some do not allow it. __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

01-03-2011, 07:20 PM	#10
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	John, I actually agree with you on the collect-ability of all Lugers. I was just repeating what I understood to be "common understanding" of a shooter versus typically "collector valued" luger. Clearly, the market determines the value when a buyer pays for a Luger. It's interesting to understand that in different parts of the world, different things are valued. Witness Depner's recent posting about his beautiful restoration of a Luger in Hungary. Depner's Post Link Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

01-02-2011, 03:05 PM	#2
Tomathvl User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Milan, IN Posts: 363 Thanks: 3 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	keep looking, all three examples over priced. Tom

01-02-2011, 04:06 PM	#3
kolhoznik User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 23 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What would be a reasonable offer on these?

01-02-2011, 09:28 PM	#5
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 522 Thanks: 0 Thanked 271 Times in 118 Posts	I have purchased several guns from Charlie Justman (Checkpoint Charlie) and have never been disappointed, but none were truly collector pieces. His descriptions are brief and photos small, so you have to ask the right questions and ask for better photos. He seems to put a premium on WWII era guns and "restored" guns. His prices are certainly better than the high-end dealers like Simpson's. Mike, before you put down serious money for a collector gun you should do some research and decide what you want to collect, what to look for and what to avoid. While you are figuring that out I suggest that you apply for a "C&R" firearms license that will allow you to buy historic firearms without the hassle and red tape associated with buying modern firearms. KFS

01-03-2011, 12:56 AM	#6
kolhoznik User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 23 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you to everyone who has replied. I have been giving some thought as to what I might like to focus on and German Lugers from WWI and earlier seemed interesting. It seems many of the pricier examples are from WWII. Are there some good affordable pistols from this era?

01-03-2011, 09:35 AM	#7
Jasta2 User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lakeland, Fl. Posts: 514 Thanks: 349 Thanked 101 Times in 52 Posts	"COLLECTOR PIECES" GRRR!! Whats makes it a collector piece? 85%+matching is not so? I take to be a true 'collector piece' a Luger must be 95%+ and cost in the $3,000 and way up range. I doubt I'll ever own a collector Luger!

01-03-2011, 07:48 PM	#11
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	One man's shooter is another man's collecter. Or visa versa. There are no hard and fast rules seperating them. dju