[Guest]

I am looking to purchase my first luger. I would like a WWII pistol in excellent condition. Likely a Mauser, as I guess they're more plentiful, hence lower cost. My question is where is the best place to shop. At a gun show, one of the auction websites like Auctionarms or GunBroker, or a local gun store. I'm inclined to to local, but there doesn't seem to be many lugers around in the stores. I saw Simpson Ltd and wonder if you folks have good experience with them in price, etc. Thanks in advance!

 

[Spartacus38]

Hi, My suggestion is to buy the available Jan Still books and read them and start learning about lugers.I was fortunate to meet some
luger experts who taught me over the years.Whatever you start collecting is personal preference. I personally like 98% or better
original pieces. Go slowly and enjoy.
Bob

 

[Mark]

I think it depends on what you are looking to spend on a Luger. My first inclination is to go with a dealer who has a good reputation so you reduce the possibility of getting ripped off.

However, before you buy, read up on the variations you are looking for and learn a little about lugers in general, that way you can ask the seller intellegent questions about the pistol to be sure it is what you want.

I have had great success with FGS, I find Doug and Ken very honest guys who can help guide you through the process. 740-354-2162 http://www.fgsinc.8m.com

I am sure others will have recommendations on folks they like for honesty and reliability.

Mark

 

[tomathvl]

I can't agree more on buying the books. Jan's books are a steal if you buy them from him. Regarding dealers, I can recommend FGS, Simpsons and Peter Dunster from Canada aka Lugercollector. Peter's pricing beats FGS or Simpson's but they have a lot of inventory that Peter doesn't. If you buy by internet make sure you have return privileges before you buy. Don't believe the standard wording verify by e-mail what you can and can't do. Stay away from Phoenix Arms aka Skitowe and Jagerbrief on GunBroker.
Tom

 

[jeff mullins]

I've never bought a luger from Bob Simpson. But, I've bought several G43's from Bob and he's always been honest with me. I agree with some of these other guys abut research. Then you'll know what to ask.....

good luck!!

jeff

 

[garfield]

Your initial post would give the impression that you are not familiar with this area of collecting. I do not know your finanical statis, however, an "excellent WWII luger" is not inexpensive. If you have not done some research in the area you are setting yourself up for a screwing.

 

[Navy]

Welcome to the fraternity!

Your best bet would be to find a COLLECTOR mentor. You need some one like us graybeards who have been in this card game a while. Then, buy the books, study and go to the shows. Get up close and personal with guys who are big time collectors. Join NAPCA and read and study...then, after much homework, take your checkbook and your mentor to a major show.

After you try to buy 2-3 things that are bad and your mentor bitch-slaps you, go back to the books.

You will get there, eventually, but the tuition at Luger U is large and the learning curve is steep.

In this Luger game, you are either predator or lunch.

This forum along with the *other* luger forum are both good places to get a Ph.D. in parabellums quickly.

Tom A.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info so far. I don't intend to go into this ignorant. I read "The Luger Story" and much off this board. I have $1500-2000 to spend and have seen Mauser S/42's in near mint condition, all matching (not mag), w/o import marks, for that kind of money. I think I know enough not to buy a reblued pistol or obvious rework. But it does seem to me that with the myriad of variations available, I would want to deal with someone I can trust. Thanks again.
-John

 

[George]

Dear John D.

Since you are in my neck of the woods, I figured I would throw in my two bits. Just remember, "A LITTLE BIT OF KNOWLEDGE CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN IT COMES TO COLLECTING LUGERS?"

May I suggest that you attend the West Springfield Gun Show at the Big E on December 11&12 2004 and Albany Gun Show at The Egg on January 22&23 2004. At the West Springfield show there is always two large Luger dealers, Anderson & Walsh are the guys last names. Both have a good supply of Lugers. However cost is right up there.

My suggestion would be as everyone else has mentioned, spend the money and buy Jan Still's books a few others. Then keep an eye in he wantadds and maybe enter an add in your local for sale digest under guns that you collect Lugers.

By buying from the owner, you sometimes will get a pistol that has not been messed with. Much of the time price will be very attractive as these guns have been in the same family for many years. Also there is no sales tax, I reside in New York.

See my listing on this board below. Found this GEM in the local for sale digest and is all original with matching grips, 1915 DWM and cost was $600.00 cash!

http://www.gunboards.com/luger/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2826

The only other suggestion I can make is before you buy any Luger, view it under direct sun light, outside! The sun seems to bring out everything. Inside under florescent lighting, stuff always looks great. Many years ago I purchased what I thought was a mint 1941 Byf Luger from a small little gun shop who the owner said he had owned this Luger for more than 20 years, who knows for sure. Paid much money for it. When I took it to the range I was shocked at the finish. It had been touched up in many areas. I did not get hurt financially as I sold it off at a gun show to a dealer a short time later and broke even.

The best of luck and let us know how you make out in your Luger Search.

Regards,

George

 

[Pete E.]

Here are a few other dealers or private sellers that most folks would think are decent to work with :

Joe Salter :
http://www.joesalter.com/

Leon DeSpain :
http://lmd-militaria.com/

Mike Morris :
http://www.relicsofthereichs.com/

Gil Hoffman :
http://www.ggrelics.com/

Randy Bessler :
http://www.collectorfirearms.us/

Bob Adams :
http://www.adamsguns.com/

 

[Lloyd in Vegas]

TOM A

You are a crack up! Did you ever "bitch slap" some poor learned collector and send him back to the books for a little more study before the next gun show outing? Hey my friend, you are accompanying to many female collectors to shows and getting a little feisty. (smile) I will admit I probably needed a few "bastard slaps" years back when I got started in this challenging hobby we all love!

 

[Navy]

Lloyd,

Yep. But only figuratively. Have walked several newbies through shows and when they went to slap leather (As in Checkbook), a swift kick to the shin got their attention. This was generally followed by a discrete discussion away from the vendor's table.

Actually did this recently at the NAPCA show in Chattanooga.

Tom A.

 

[Frank]

Pete, I disagree with some of your dealer recommendations. From my personal experence with some of these dealers, I choose not to comment on Joe or Mike because I don't have experence with these dealers. Leon is an upright guy, Gil is a bit high priced, but has sent me pistols as advertised. I certainly would NOT do business with either of the other two.

Good Luck John, I hope your first one is a good experience!!

 

[Pete E.]

Hi Frank,

I figured not everyone would agree with my "list"...

I am beginning to see that even the most highly recommended dealer will have a few gun sales that did not go well. Some more than others...some a lot more...

I was trying to list folks that have a "no questions asked" 3-day return policy. Only risk to a new collector would be loosing out of shipping/handling costs.

The new luger peddler in the NC area has a very, very "conditional" return policy and more than a few luger friends I know have been burned...

 

[Frank]

Pete, three day policy or not, when I take the time to call and discuss the Luger, then when I receive it was not being properly represented, I get really angry that I get stuck with the 2 way shipping charges. I don't understand what is in the mind of the dealer. Perhaps he just wants to make me angry.

Well, guess what, It did!!!

 

[garfield]

It has been my experience that Randy Bessler's descriptions can generoulsy be described as "optomistic", whether written or over the phone. Coupled with the high cost of s/h, which the buyer pays both ways, I agree with Frank regarding the "pucker factor".

 

[Guest]

I've bought from Simpson's a couple of times,a P38 and a Nambu. I was pleased with the result and look forward to doing business again. They were willing to pull the gun out and look it over while I asked questions even though these pieces were far from their high end stuff That meant a lot.

 

[Pancho]

Be careful re. Walsh's pricing. High is high, but one can go too far.
I've looked over his tables many times, and his prices can be preposterous--to predatory. Clearly, he has some nice pistols, but I get the impression that he is deliberately on the hunt to exploit some innocent rube. He's not the only one. This seems to be more of a danger re. Lugers, than with other military pistols. It is probably because the Luger is so universally desireable. I mean, who, would not want to own a Luger? I think everyone likes Lugers.

Pancho

 

[Edward Tinker]

I have seen guys who sell high... I think for one of a couple of reasons;

1. High price, get a sucker going

2. High price, they don't really want to sell, but are looking for people to say, hey, I have one of those at home...

3. Show off what they have...

 

[keoki7]

Hey Ed, also high price 'cause the market is rising so fast no one really knows where it is.