Looking for First Luger Purchase Advice - Page 2

Kyrie · 10-24-2017, 11:27 AM

Lugermeister,

My advice, offered entirely FWIW.

Drop your budget for your first Luger to a max of $1200. If you spend 2,000 + USD on your first Luger a time will likely come that you will bitterly regret it.

Buy a shooter as your first Luger and a collector quality gun later, after you have more market experience.

Avoid Guns International, Guns America, Simpsons, and concentrate on the sites like Gun Broker. Spend a lot of time querying and reviewing closed auctions where Lugers that interest you have actually sold. That will educate you on the difference between asking price and selling price, and provide a good idea of what people are actually paying.

Lastly, here are a couple of Luger to look over:

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/708280359

That's an East German refurbished Third Reich era Luger. Contrary to the seller's description, it is not DDR police marked and is unlikely that it was ever a VoPo gun. My sense is it came out of the DDR either shortly after the Reunification (in which case it will be import marked) or is a personal bring back from some trouble spot (in which case it likely will not be import marked). Note the two matching magazines. These will be DDR magazines.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/711043940

Imperial Erfurt Luger. May be original but looking at the pictures I get the sense it's either a restoration or a 1920s - 1930s rebuild. In either case it's likely to be a good shooter and may actually be a collector grade gun.

If you can get either of those guns for $1000 or less you will have grounds to do a victory lap around the coffee table.

And yes, I'm thinking of bidding on both :-)

Sky Zero · 10-24-2017, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pistol

#5 is misrepresented as black widow, but looks like a commercial with a Germany stamp.
.

A black widow is the invention of a clever salesman. Germany never had such a thing

Pistol · 10-24-2017, 12:12 PM

Yes ....just pointing out this gun is not what is typically considered a "Black Widow".....either intentionally or not by the clever or not so clever seller.

Sky Zero · 10-25-2017, 09:31 PM

The one im about to sell is indeed a "real" black widow. I'll send you pictures tomorrow if you're interested

hayhugh · 10-26-2017, 04:52 AM

Check out RIA for Luger they have a big collection: https://www.rockislandauction.com/ or:https://www.proxibid.com/asp/SearchA...tart=1&refine=

Pistol · 10-26-2017, 05:01 PM

Sky Zero,

Sure post some photos in a new thread. There may be a buyer out there looking for a 42 code or BYF luger with original black bakelite grips; however, new collectors should note that, according to this post on the Jan C Still forum, the following excerpt describes what is meant by the term "Black widow".

"Black Widow was a term invented by dealers in the early1970s’ to identify and increase the value of Lugers with factory installed black plastic grips. Some claim that many (originally) wood gripped 1940 42 code Lugers were converted to black widows years ago by dishonest dealers. A mix of all grip types (1-6) would be expected if the black grips were switched by dealers in the U.S. to create black widow Lugers. The predominate appearance of the type 1 black plastic grips on 1940 42 Code Lugers (9 reported to date) lends credibility to the concept that these grips were factory installed. There is also a question of where the black bakelite grips came from to do all this switching. To my knowledge such grips were not manufactured in the United States."

cirelaw · 10-26-2017, 05:43 PM

A spider or a pancake syrup????

Pistol · 10-28-2017, 01:56 AM

Eric,

I'm a biscuit and gravy kinda guy that prefers the "Brown Recluse" with wood grips.

kurusu · 10-28-2017, 11:37 AM

And me thinking "black widow" was Scarlett Johansson.

sheepherder · 10-28-2017, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirelaw

A spider or a pancake syrup????

Bwahahahaha!!! That's great!!!

I hate the new, 'hip', Aunt Jemima. The original was fine with me.

Lugermeister · 10-29-2017, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyrie

Lugermeister,

My advice, offered entirely FWIW.

Drop your budget for your first Luger to a max of $1200. If you spend 2,000 + USD on your first Luger a time will likely come that you will bitterly regret it.

Buy a shooter as your first Luger and a collector quality gun later, after you have more market experience.

Avoid Guns International, Guns America, Simpsons, and concentrate on the sites like Gun Broker. Spend a lot of time querying and reviewing closed auctions where Lugers that interest you have actually sold. That will educate you on the difference between asking price and selling price, and provide a good idea of what people are actually paying.

Lastly, here are a couple of Luger to look over:

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/708280359

That's an East German refurbished Third Reich era Luger. Contrary to the seller's description, it is not DDR police marked and is unlikely that it was ever a VoPo gun. My sense is it came out of the DDR either shortly after the Reunification (in which case it will be import marked) or is a personal bring back from some trouble spot (in which case it likely will not be import marked). Note the two matching magazines. These will be DDR magazines.

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/711043940

Imperial Erfurt Luger. May be original but looking at the pictures I get the sense it's either a restoration or a 1920s - 1930s rebuild. In either case it's likely to be a good shooter and may actually be a collector grade gun.

If you can get either of those guns for $1000 or less you will have grounds to do a victory lap around the coffee table.

And yes, I'm thinking of bidding on both :-)

Hi,
I have found a "shooter grade" starter. It's $995.00 on Legacy Collectibles. Says "matching" of course. Has a crack in one grip panel. I suppose original replacements could be found. It's located here:

https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/...ter-grade.html

At the price I'd have enough left over to get a Nambu I've been looking at too.

Thank you so much for your help and suggestions.

Regards,
Lou Miles
Southern Utah

mrerick · 10-29-2017, 07:09 AM

Lou, it is a .30 Luger pistol in 7.65mm Luger caliber. . You'll spend quite a bit more to actually shoot it in this caliber than in a 9mm Luger pistol.

It's also not a military issued pistol.

That said, my very first was a nice collectible all matching .30 Luger caliber DWM Commercial like this onw.

Marc

cirelaw · 10-29-2017, 09:43 AM

Have they test fired it!!! Jim Soloman can repair and grip problems~Jim does real magic!!!!!

10-26-2017, 04:52 AM	#25
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 896 Thanks: 857 Thanked 513 Times in 275 Posts	Check out RIA for Luger they have a big collection: https://www.rockislandauction.com/ or:https://www.proxibid.com/asp/SearchA...tart=1&refine= Last edited by hayhugh; 10-26-2017 at 05:07 AM. Reason: more info

10-29-2017, 07:09 AM	#32
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	Lou, it is a .30 Luger pistol in 7.65mm Luger caliber. . You'll spend quite a bit more to actually shoot it in this caliber than in a 9mm Luger pistol. It's also not a military issued pistol. That said, my very first was a nice collectible all matching .30 Luger caliber DWM Commercial like this onw. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

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10-24-2017, 11:27 AM	#21
Kyrie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 212 Times in 101 Posts	Lugermeister, My advice, offered entirely FWIW. Drop your budget for your first Luger to a max of $1200. If you spend 2,000 + USD on your first Luger a time will likely come that you will bitterly regret it. Buy a shooter as your first Luger and a collector quality gun later, after you have more market experience. Avoid Guns International, Guns America, Simpsons, and concentrate on the sites like Gun Broker. Spend a lot of time querying and reviewing closed auctions where Lugers that interest you have actually sold. That will educate you on the difference between asking price and selling price, and provide a good idea of what people are actually paying. Lastly, here are a couple of Luger to look over: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/708280359 That's an East German refurbished Third Reich era Luger. Contrary to the seller's description, it is not DDR police marked and is unlikely that it was ever a VoPo gun. My sense is it came out of the DDR either shortly after the Reunification (in which case it will be import marked) or is a personal bring back from some trouble spot (in which case it likely will not be import marked). Note the two matching magazines. These will be DDR magazines. http://www.gunbroker.com/item/711043940 Imperial Erfurt Luger. May be original but looking at the pictures I get the sense it's either a restoration or a 1920s - 1930s rebuild. In either case it's likely to be a good shooter and may actually be a collector grade gun. If you can get either of those guns for $1000 or less you will have grounds to do a victory lap around the coffee table. And yes, I'm thinking of bidding on both :-)

10-24-2017, 12:12 PM	#23
Pistol User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TN Posts: 428 Thanks: 448 Thanked 220 Times in 99 Posts	Yes ....just pointing out this gun is not what is typically considered a "Black Widow".....either intentionally or not by the clever or not so clever seller.

10-25-2017, 09:31 PM	#24
Sky Zero User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 308 Thanks: 134 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	The one im about to sell is indeed a "real" black widow. I'll send you pictures tomorrow if you're interested

10-26-2017, 05:01 PM	#26
Pistol User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TN Posts: 428 Thanks: 448 Thanked 220 Times in 99 Posts	Sky Zero, Sure post some photos in a new thread. There may be a buyer out there looking for a 42 code or BYF luger with original black bakelite grips; however, new collectors should note that, according to this post on the Jan C Still forum, the following excerpt describes what is meant by the term "Black widow". "Black Widow was a term invented by dealers in the early1970s’ to identify and increase the value of Lugers with factory installed black plastic grips. Some claim that many (originally) wood gripped 1940 42 code Lugers were converted to black widows years ago by dishonest dealers. A mix of all grip types (1-6) would be expected if the black grips were switched by dealers in the U.S. to create black widow Lugers. The predominate appearance of the type 1 black plastic grips on 1940 42 Code Lugers (9 reported to date) lends credibility to the concept that these grips were factory installed. There is also a question of where the black bakelite grips came from to do all this switching. To my knowledge such grips were not manufactured in the United States."

10-26-2017, 05:43 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	A spider or a pancake syrup????

10-28-2017, 01:56 AM	#28
Pistol User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TN Posts: 428 Thanks: 448 Thanked 220 Times in 99 Posts	Eric, I'm a biscuit and gravy kinda guy that prefers the "Brown Recluse" with wood grips.

10-28-2017, 11:37 AM	#29
kurusu User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 2,679 Thanked 930 Times in 509 Posts	And me thinking "black widow" was Scarlett Johansson.

10-29-2017, 09:43 AM	#33
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	Have they test fired it!!! Jim Soloman can repair and grip problems~Jim does real magic!!!!!