early collectable Krieghoff vs new production Krieghoff Parabellum

[danamark]

I have decided to collect a Krieghoff Lugar..as I am an engineer and
appreciate fine German engineering...I have a collection of Pre-1999 Mercedes...very low millage cars...I am doing my homework and have books to become educated on Lugars...my question is...I see that there is an anniversery run of new Parabellums available...considering that I have saved enough for
a purchase of a single Lugar now should I jump on the new or the old? Both are very beatiful and have appeal..Which have the most
potential for appreciation...thanks for looking...and really interested to hear your thoughts...all the best

[CJS57]

A WWII era will give much more pleasure in the long run. At least for me. I would not even consider a new one.

[wlyon]

For me no contest. I have no interest in the high priced new one. The older ones have history and meaning. The new one is just another new reproduction. Bill

[Edward Tinker]

Before spending a lot of money on either, please buy books, it will save you a lot of cash.

And the website has Georg's name in the title

[lugerholsterrepair]

Craig..Lugar is a Spanish word for trip I believe. Luger on the other hand is the name you are thinking of.
You need to study some more books. There is one that will be very helpful to you. If you are planning on spending $25K on a LUGER you need to find a copy of this book and read it cover to cover.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Krieghoff-.../dp/0878333142

[danamark]

Thank for your opinions...I have that book coming and a few more...the third edition is much cheaper at the Krieghoff website...I tend to agree with you...my only concern is even if the gun
matches the books...you folks sometime tend to disagree..and it is eash to fool someone like me
...I tend to be very cautious...and am a little leery to enter this arena..where a gun worth a thousand can easily be made to 20...I will do my homework and report back...I look forward to the
knowledge ahead...thanks again

[Edward Tinker]

Originally Posted by danamark

...my only concern is even if the gun
matches the books...you folks sometime tend to disagree..and it is eash to fool someone like me
...I tend to be very cautious...and am a little leery to enter this arena..where a gun worth a thousand can easily be made to 20...

Something to think about, so, what is the reason you want one?

Why do you want to start with some of the most expensive?

You might have the money to buy very expensive and if so, my experience has been that some people buy 'pretty' and rare guns and many turn out to be fake. That is not our fault, that is the fault of the buyer being gullible.

If you want a luger, buy books, and first buy a few nicer, but average ones and then slowly get into buying expensive ones as you learn.

[lugerholsterrepair]

If you want a luger, buy books, and first buy a few nicer, but average ones and then slowly get into buying expensive ones as you learn.

No better advice than that.

[danamark]

OK...sounds like good advice too me...what model year make would you advise too
a novice too start with??Again I am considering collecting as I appreciate fine workmanship..
such as these..and I was led to believe that Krieghoff manufactured LugErs were the best of
the best...again your thoughts are appreciated

[lugerholsterrepair]

Craig..Most of collect not necessarily because of the engineering, workmanship or quality but because of the history. What fascinating period of German history interests you?

All of the Lugers ever made have endearing engineering, workmanship and quality attributes and you are right..The Krieghoff is right up there on that scale.

Sophisticated Luger collectors find that WW1 Lugers are the most interesting from a historical perspective. There are different era's of course but that's a personal choice. You have to be in the game..Interested in the whole perspective, whatever that might be to you.

Engineering, workmanship or quality is only a small.. albeit an important part.. of what interests many of us.

[cirelaw]

Remember possible unexpected or not resale ability or value. Jerry makes great sence!!

[DavidJayUden]

Another option is for you to buy from a very reputable dealer with a reputation to protect. But it is always been my policy to buy meat and potatos guns, never pay a premium for a rare marking. It has always served me well.
dju

[lugerholsterrepair]

Craig, I managed to find an all matching 1936 Krieghoff that was rusted and rough as a cob for $650. It was and is a fantastic learning pistol. I can take it completely apart studying all of the many various Luftwaffe/Krieghoff markings without fear of marring the pistol. Owning a pistol is not better than book learning but it's close! Coupled together I would say you must have both. Books and a good study pistol/example. Trouble with Krieghoffs is not many cheap examples out there!

[Sergio Natali]

With my reply I agree practically with all the previous replys, before you buy a Luger get yourself some books, and study them, then buy an old rusty Luger to learn from; this is exactly what I did, and believe me the Luger world is so wide that you'll find new things to learn every day.

[cirelaw]

There are plenty of good choices. Research the model as well the seller! Check your model with other sellers like Simpson LTD or other sites. Don't hurry! My third wife took over 3 years!! Eric~~~

[MikeP]

I tend to like the older pre WW2 pieces.
No use for modern repros.
I have a bit of an atitude regarding Nazis, but do have a couple pieces.

My atitude by choice-nuff said.
Been fascinated with these pistols since about 1960.

[m1903a3]

Originally Posted by CJS57

A WWII era will give much more pleasure in the long run. At least for me. I would not even consider a new one.

Why does the barrel appear to be bent down? An optical illusion?

[pitsword]

Yup, Monsoor CJ left that beauty out in the sun too long after taking the pics. A quick fix is a couple swabs of Jagermeister down the tube and it will be back to zero. Beautiful pistol.

[Norme]

Hi Mike, It's spherical aberration, a form of distortion common in cell phone and vest pocket cameras. Lines that don't pass through the center of the frame get more and more bent the further out they are. Lenses corrected for this form of distortion, which is only noticeable when straight lines are being photographed, are bulky and expensive. My Micro Nikkor lens cost more, and weighs more, than my camera.
Regards, Norm

[CJS57]

My HK Luger barrel is straight. I didn't set my camera up properly. I now use a bit of a long distance setting on the camera and that prevents the fisheye effects! Best, Chris