Luger research book recommendations

[Dallas]

I am going to be purchasing a couple of Lugers within the next few months. Does anyone have any recommendations as to books I should get and what I need to look for.

Thanks!!!!

[GWA]

Like any "living" research area, Luger knowledge is constantly expanding; some absolute truths of the 1960's and 1970's have been proven false. Some of the earlier books should be avoided by the beginner. For general knowledge in collecting military Lugers, I think that Jan Still's three works on the subject are unsurpassed. They also permit the new collector to commit limited resources to a rather focused study of a particular era; Imperial, Weimar or Third Reich.

What are you hoping to collect and how much money do you plan to spend? The vista is full of pitfalls and mine fields if you are untutored. For any new Luger collector the best initial investment is about $300 in books and twelve months under the wing of an experianced collector.

Bear in mind that some of the MOST charming and highly regarded dealers in the US are scoundrels who will stick an over priced P.O.S. up your tail pipe so far and fast you won't be able to fart for a month without bleeding. Enjoy.

[stevezz1]

Hi Dallas,

There is the Jan Still trillogy - 'Imperial Lugers' - 'Weimar and early Nazi Lugers' and 'Third Reich Lugers'
Also 'Lugers at Random' by Charles Kenyon, and Bender's 'Luger Holsters & Accessories' is very good.
Take a look at this forum, they are very friendly and helpfull.......
http://www.lugerforum.com/
If you are looking for a collectors piece, go for the best you can afford.
Original bluing, matching numbers, correct magazines etc.
For a shooter i suppose the bore is a major consideration.

Good luck in your search...........

Steve.

[Dallas]

Thanks all! My luger hunt will be very specific. Mauser only, Third Reich era only, and wartime 1939-42 prefered. No black widows though as I would probably get stuck with a post war Russian grip thing.

Just a nice collector piece and a shooter.