Reno - April 2005 Recap...

[Pete Ebbink]

Thought I would start the Reno - April 2005 gun show recap here...so others could contribute their experiences and gun show luger sightings.

Here are my 2 cents :

1. Although a very short duration visit for me (only Thursday and 1/2 of Friday), it was great having the pre-Luger Forum dinner dinner on Thursday night with 7 great Forum members.

2. Had a chance to spend more time with advanced Swiss luger collector, Bob Lewis of Modesto, CA. His display is always wonderful to admire and he was even selling some very nice Swiss holsters this time. I bought two and then sold one, an early M1900 commerical, to Ron Wood...(same price, of course...).

3. Had a chance to compare my M1934 Swiss Mauser luger (# 3721v) with the one Bob Lewis had on display. Finish on both lugers, side-by-side, was almost identical. Bob's pistol is only 80 numbers higher than mine, but his has the long frame and the large Banner logo. Bob did say he liked my luger even better than his; as the short frame on mine is quite rare.

4. Had a chance to help a fellow collector locate a 1943-dated HK luger with two matching magazines in a non-HK holster. Asking price was $ 6500...the sale went down for $ 6000. Nice honest gun with honest wear. Serial # was 11739 if I recall correctly...

5. Picked up the only 2 boxes of .30 cal. Swiss ammo..dated 1939 and 1943. Both boxes un-opened with paper seals intact. $ 20 for each box.

6. Was able to sell a Weimar police-modified luger to a fellow LF member.

7. Great to meet John Holbrook and to admire his M1911 Colt display.

8. Lots of old, worn lugers being picked up by the regular dealers that do that sort of thing...tracked a few serial numbers...in case they show up in the future...newly reborn...


Regret that I could not stay with the LF group the entire weekend. Sounds like the Friday night dinner event was an enjoyable one...with Jan, Klaus, and others adding to the group from the night before.

Regards,

Pete...

[Russ]

Hi Pete
I know there was a lot of photos taken (not by me) Maybe they will get posted. I enjoyed seeing everyone.
Russ

[Edward Tinker]

Well, I can see brother Pete was hiding that I bought the police from him! I am a bit leery talking about having a good time, visiting friends, etc., makes me feel guilty, guess I should feel down and out. But the trip out to Reno was restoritive, just great in fact! Wish the wife could have gone with me, but it was really nice thanking some of the forum members for helping Terry and I out. Had excellent talks with Pete, Bob, Tom, Ron, Ron, Dwight, Howard, and others!
Heck, I stayed in Russ's room, we split costs, first night we were up till 1:30 AM, bulling around, was great.

Pete had a good deal, but the guy wanted to sell just two guns together, the other was this alphabet luger, made in 1923, it is marked 1920 and is police unit marked. Pete sold it to me for too good of a price, thanks man! Good to have friends that help out, watch for good deals for each other!
I simply couldn't, not buy this luger, it is a nice one, with police markings, a sear and had a mag safety, overall really sweet! Mine is the top one...



This 2nd police luger belongs to policelugers, he brought it for me to look at, and guess what? It is just over 200 numbers different then this one! Weird ey? It is also unit marked, although with a different police unit!



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Other lugers, well, Dwight will give the best report, I did see 4 or 5 for less than $600, 2 really beat to hell, the other 4 were all import marked and dipped, plus in rougher shape.

Ed

[Ron Smith]

Hey Pete,
Sorry I missed you. I got there Friday afternoon about 4:00. Had to leave at noon Saturday. Nearly screwed around too long and missed my flight, but it all worked out. Managed to catch a standby seat in SF and got home 2 hrs earlier.
Ron

[jamese]

Sounds like everyone had a good time,

I'll have to catch one of these road trips sometime soon !

Jim

[policeluger]

It was great, had a wonderful LF dinner and meet lots of good Luger folks, sorry I did not get a chance to sit down and talk with each, things were going to fast with not enought time...Ed did not mention that my police Luger above was a rare 7.65 cross out police, interesting that they are so close in M suffex SN. I wanted to get to talk to Lugerlu more, but looks like I'll be seeing them on my next moose hunt to Prince George, BC, Canada. Was able with the help of LF members and other to locate a beautiful WW1 broom handle with matching SN stock and both in 97%...now I know its not the Luger I was looking for, but a lovely gun and stock and a nice center piece for the display, and while I could not find a Luger I really wanted/needed, I had the "I got to buy somethings".....my best to all of you, so very sorry again we did not have more time to spend together, but hope we can do it again....

[the gunman]

Gentleman after reading these wonderful replys. Im sorry I did not jump on a plane. Just
that is such a hell of a long way from vermont. Maybe next time .

[Dwight Gruber]

I guess I'm Tail-End Charlie in this discussion, didn't get back to town until late last night.

Have to say that it was probably the best Reno show ever, at least as far as the Luger Forum Convocation aspect is concerned. So many folks took the time and effort to come, it was really a pleasure to meet all of you who I haven't met before--particularly I must say, for my part, Ron Wood.

And so, to the Luger table survey. There were a lot of Lugers at the show as one might expect, but not so many single guns scattered around randomly. I managed to record most of them, I think. This list doesn't include Ralph Shattuck's table (he only had a vew guns out), or Phoenix Investment Arms--he had the guns which are also on his website. Also missed details on a couple of Swiss Lugers. Don't have too many notes on condition this time. Several guns were being advertised with matching mags, most of them I examined had the appearance of being altered, these I haven't included in the description.

Alphabet Commercial .30cal, $895
1936 S/42, $1,695
1942 "Black Widow", $2,150
"1923" (5-digit) Commercial, $895

1914 Erfurt LP-08 (mismatch), $1,650
1916 DWM w/match mag, $1,275
1915 DWM, $1,050
1915 DWM, $975
1918 DWM w/holster, $1,750

1918 Erfurt, $850

1917 DWM w/holster, $595

1937 S/42, $1,150
1940 42, $1,650
1942 "Black Widow", $1,250
1916 DWM, $850
DWM r suffix Police (no unit mark, TP barrel), $1,350
The three Mausers went to Ralph Shattuck on Thursday.

byf 41 (not Black Widow), $1,750

1943 Krieghoff w/holster, two match mags, on the table for $6,500, snapped up instantly for $6,000

1914 Erfurt LP-08 w/repro rig, $3,000

1918 Erfurt, $1,100
1938 S/42, $1,200
1938 S/42, $1,400

1936 S/42 reblue (no straw, iirc), $1,500

1941 "Black Widow", $1,295

1937 DWM don't remember the details, must be a shooter, $795
1902 Fat Barrel, heavily used, with story, $8,495
DWM Borchardt pistol only, $9,500

Test Eagle #6190, toggle & sideplate mismatch, grip safety wrong, variously $2,200, $1,800, or $1,600 depending on who you were and when you asked.

Persian LP-08 gun only, $4,000
unmarked "Lunch Box" Luger, $3,600
these were on Ralp's table

1918 DWM very poor shape, ?700
6" mismatch shooter not Navy, Brazilian receiver (but not frame), $1,500 way too much

1912 DWM walk-in, sold at $450, sold at $475, sold at $500

DWM .32 pocket auto, $675

One collector there was offering a substantial portion of his collection:
1900 AE, cased, $4,000
1900 AE cased pair (not sequential), $8,000
1902 AE Fat Barrel, $12,500
1906 AE, $2.400
1906 AE, $2.400
1906 AE with Ideal stock/holster rig & grips, $4,000
1900 AE, $4,000
1911 DWM $1,400
1911 Erfurt, $1,800
1911 Erfurt unit marked, $1,700
1912 DWM, $1,800
1913 DWM, $1,800
1913 Erfurt, $2,100
1914 DWM, $2,000
1915 DWM, $1,800
1916 DWM, $1,800
1916 DWM, $1,800
1917 Erfurt w/2 mags & holster, $2,500
1918 Erfurt w/2 mags & holster, $2,500
1918 DWM, $1,700
1918 DWM, $1,800
1921 DWM unit mark, $1,800
1914 DWM LP-08, $5000
1914 Erfurt LP-08, Gale Morgan restore $3,500
1915 DWM LP-08 no military proofs, $3,000
1915 DWM LP-08, $3,400
1916 DWM LP-08, $3,400
1917 DWM LP-08 EWB mark, $3,000
1917 DWM LP-08 w/matching stock, $3,000
1917 DWM LP-08 unit mark & British proofs, $3,000
1918 DWM LP-08 GERMANY mark, $2,500
ERMA .22 conversion kit in box, $550
Drum mag type 2, $1,400
John Martz baby 1900 Eagle $3,500
John Martz Luger carbine .45 cal. $8,500
John Martz baby P-38 .45 cal, $6,000
John Martz P-38 carbine $6,000
John Martz P-38 9mm/.30 convertible, $3,800

[Edward Tinker]

Very good Dwight, the "DWM 1914", the one traded and upped by some greedy sob's, that should be 1912? And I regret not "pouncing" on it, but glad you got it!

Enjoyed the time together, i know we keep saying that, but damn, it was a nice get together.

Ed

[Herb]

Thanks guys for the great show reports. I wish I could have been there for the get-together but that 1200+ mile drive round trip from central Utah over highway 50 is a crapshoot at best due to the possibility of nasty weather and those numerous mountain passes over 7000', but then it wouldn't be the first time I had to lay up in a motel along the route due to snowstorms. I appreciate the remarks and special thanks to Dwight for that price list of what a $9 Luger is selling for nowadays, also it seems that there were more available at this show than encountered at past shows but as usual, out of my price range by far. I'm glad to see that you all had a good time, maybe I can make the next show, we'll see.

[Dwight Gruber]

Originally posted by Edward Tinker
Very good Dwight, the "DWM 1914", the one traded and upped by some greedy sob's, that should be 1912? And I regret not "pouncing" on it, but glad you got it!

Enjoyed the time together, i know we keep saying that, but damn, it was a nice get together.

Ed

1912, hmmm, you're right, can't even read the chamber date on my own Luger!!!

I fixed it on the list...

--Dwight

[Edward Tinker]

Well, if you're looking for a 1914, I'll buy the 1912 "back"! I do have a 1914 DWM, but its in about 50% better shape than that one...

And I owe you $25, or it'll bother me!

[Dwight Gruber]

Ed,

Nah, don't be bothered. Fix your house and buy me a drink with what's left.

--Dwight

[Edward Tinker]

This is kinda an inside joke forum members, Russ raised the price $25 to me, then I raised it $25 to Dwight and then Russ took me and Dwight out to lunch and paid for all of us, so ....


Ed

[Don M]

Howard,

Does your police Luger s/n 6107m have a grip strap mark? If so, I would appreciate knowing it for my database. Also sear and mag safeties?

[Russ]

Ya but that lunch made there colesteral go way up.
Russ

[Ron Smith]

Hey Russ, how's it hangin'?
I can't stop thinking about your invitation on poppin' sage rats. I'll have to blow the dust off of my Sharps and my Sako .243 and take you up on it. I'll bring the Sharps just incase we see some really big, mean, maneaters.

Ron