New member question

Sam91 · 02-16-2015, 08:28 PM

Hello all.
My name is Sam from NW Arkansas, and I am brand new to the forum. I would like to add a luger to my collection but I have no idea where to start. I just purchased a nice byf44 p38 and was told that it was a pistol that most collectors start with. What would be a good entry level military collector luger to start with? Not really looking for a shooter.
Any help would be appreciated.
Sam

Arizona Slim · 02-16-2015, 08:54 PM

Hi Sam, welcome to the forum. A good place to start would be to place an add to purchase a Luger here on this site, there is no charge and several of the members here usually have one for sale.
Lon

wlyon · 02-16-2015, 09:15 PM

You need to make several decisions first. What era do you want? WW1, Weimar, WW2, commercial. Do you want an all matching collector grade, shooter, or in between. How much are you willing to spend? I would encourage you to study this for awhile. Look at this Forum and Jan Still's forum. Ask all the questions you want. It is really easy to get burnt buying lugers. We are all here to help you along. Welcome. Bill

DavidJayUden · 02-16-2015, 10:08 PM

Sam:
Bill's right, first decide what time period interests you. What excites the imagination? Then follow the forum a bit, pick up a book or 2, watch Simpson Ltd's website, etc. to narrow the search and learn what your new quest is going to cost you. Ask questions, that's what we're here for.
Avoid the on-line sales and auction stuff until you are ready to swim with the sharks.
dju

mrerick · 02-16-2015, 10:19 PM

Sounds like a Mauser made WW-II era Luger would appeal to you.

Keep your eye out for one here, and at some of the online commercial sites like Simpson's and checkpointcharlies.com

Your best first acquisitions are the reference books for Lugers in the era you're interested in.

John Walter's overview book is good and often available reasonably.

http://www.amazon.com/Luger-Story-St...ol+john+walter

Some of Datig's early books are also good overviews.

Stick with a more common variation that isn't as likely to have been faked or boosted.

Sam91 · 02-17-2015, 05:09 PM

Thanks all. I am really leaning towards a ww2 era luger. Correct original would be nice, as all my other ww2 guns are correct originals. But, depending on price I may have to go with a ww2 shooter to start. I would like to start in the 1000 to 1500 range.

DavidJayUden · 02-17-2015, 06:19 PM

I think that you should be able to find a good matching (except mag.) WW2 gun in that price range rather easily. Put an ad in the WTB section once you are ready.
dju

MikeP · 02-19-2015, 07:25 PM

Regarding you P 38 and if you intend to shoot it.

If there are no wear marks or "scratches" on top of the chamber area, there will be if you do shoot it any.

Seen this discussed and in person. Specifically referring to 44s.

sheepherder · 02-19-2015, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

Sounds like a Mauser made WW-II era Luger would appeal to you.

I think Mike is alluding to a Mauser with the 'byf' toggle. It would make an amusing 'mate' to your Walther.

alvin · 02-19-2015, 10:13 PM

Buy a nice byf 41 or 42 Luger, make it pair with that byf 44 P38. There are many nice byf, all you have to do is waiting a good price. Nice byf easily goes above $2000.... but $1500 should be able to find one...

K.Wilhelm · 02-20-2015, 02:50 PM

Ah, yes; but then you will need a byf43 P38. Oh, and then a hard to find byf42 P38, etc., etc. Good luck and happy collecting!

Bill

02-16-2015, 08:28 PM	#1
Sam91 User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NWA Posts: 8 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New member question Hello all. My name is Sam from NW Arkansas, and I am brand new to the forum. I would like to add a luger to my collection but I have no idea where to start. I just purchased a nice byf44 p38 and was told that it was a pistol that most collectors start with. What would be a good entry level military collector luger to start with? Not really looking for a shooter. Any help would be appreciated. Sam

02-16-2015, 09:15 PM	#3
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,637 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,561 Times in 956 Posts	You need to make several decisions first. What era do you want? WW1, Weimar, WW2, commercial. Do you want an all matching collector grade, shooter, or in between. How much are you willing to spend? I would encourage you to study this for awhile. Look at this Forum and Jan Still's forum. Ask all the questions you want. It is really easy to get burnt buying lugers. We are all here to help you along. Welcome. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

02-16-2015, 10:19 PM	#5
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	Sounds like a Mauser made WW-II era Luger would appeal to you. Keep your eye out for one here, and at some of the online commercial sites like Simpson's and checkpointcharlies.com Your best first acquisitions are the reference books for Lugers in the era you're interested in. John Walter's overview book is good and often available reasonably. http://www.amazon.com/Luger-Story-St...ol+john+walter Some of Datig's early books are also good overviews. Stick with a more common variation that isn't as likely to have been faked or boosted. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

02-20-2015, 02:50 PM	#11
K.Wilhelm User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Central Colorado Posts: 215 Thanks: 45 Thanked 109 Times in 66 Posts	Ah, yes; but then you will need a byf43 P38. Oh, and then a hard to find byf42 P38, etc., etc. Good luck and happy collecting! Bill __________________ NRA Endowment Life member Proud veteran of the Naval Security Group

02-16-2015, 08:54 PM	#2
Arizona Slim Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 706 Thanks: 1,026 Thanked 409 Times in 225 Posts	Hi Sam, welcome to the forum. A good place to start would be to place an add to purchase a Luger here on this site, there is no charge and several of the members here usually have one for sale. Lon

02-16-2015, 10:08 PM	#4
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Sam: Bill's right, first decide what time period interests you. What excites the imagination? Then follow the forum a bit, pick up a book or 2, watch Simpson Ltd's website, etc. to narrow the search and learn what your new quest is going to cost you. Ask questions, that's what we're here for. Avoid the on-line sales and auction stuff until you are ready to swim with the sharks. dju

02-17-2015, 05:09 PM	#6
Sam91 User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NWA Posts: 8 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks all. I am really leaning towards a ww2 era luger. Correct original would be nice, as all my other ww2 guns are correct originals. But, depending on price I may have to go with a ww2 shooter to start. I would like to start in the 1000 to 1500 range.

02-17-2015, 06:19 PM	#7
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	I think that you should be able to find a good matching (except mag.) WW2 gun in that price range rather easily. Put an ad in the WTB section once you are ready. dju

02-19-2015, 07:25 PM	#8
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Regarding you P 38 and if you intend to shoot it. If there are no wear marks or "scratches" on top of the chamber area, there will be if you do shoot it any. Seen this discussed and in person. Specifically referring to 44s.

02-19-2015, 10:13 PM	#10
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	Buy a nice byf 41 or 42 Luger, make it pair with that byf 44 P38. There are many nice byf, all you have to do is waiting a good price. Nice byf easily goes above $2000.... but $1500 should be able to find one...