Luger "collector" value?

TimeIsEverything

TimeIsEverything

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Considering all lugers with the exception of artillery lugers need to be re-barreled upon entering Canada, just how "collectible" are these altered lugers compared to the full original, all matching lugers found elsewhere? Is it really even worth it to "collect" a luger in Canada, and not just buy one for novelty shooting?
 
As with most things, once they aren't original, the collector value plummets. However, I wanted one and my only choice was to get a rebarreled Luger. I don't regret it as I have enjoyed shooting it and it is a beautiful piece, regardless of how much it may or may not be worth in future.
 
Hunt around a bit and find one of the Swiss pistols , I believe a number of them had a slighlty longer (restricted in Canada) barrel. That would allow you a non modified factory pistol.
 
There are several types of Lugers that fall into the restricted category, the Swiss series is one but there are others. The re-barreled P08s ones have lost their originality and therefore purists will scoff however as a means of preserving these pistols from the smelter that awaits them (distantly) they have some use. I'll be interested to see how they appreciate or not as there seem to be a lot more of these conversions in the last couple years, so much so that I'm finding it quite hard to find a suitable original matching WW1 dated Luger with a post war 1920 stamp for my own collection (lucky duck that I am license wise). It may end up that beyond us lucky few who can inherit them, the conversions will be the only P08s left for new shooters to buy. If they're really worth the often $2000 asking price I don't know, I just know I'll be taking a pass.
 
Unless our firearms regime changes radically at some point the only German Lugers in Canada will be ones that have been rebarralled. I think they will be as collectible as any other iconic firearm. The whole "being rebarrelled destroys the value" thing would only be valid if everyone was allowed to own an original version.

From what i can see even now the 100 mm barrel originals are less valuable that the restricted versions in the marketplace.
 
sailor723 said:
Unless our firearms regime changes radically at some point the only German Lugers in Canada will be ones that have been rebarralled. I think they will be as collectible as any other iconic firearm. The whole "being rebarrelled destroys the value" thing would only be valid if everyone was allowed to own an original version.

From what i can see even now the 100 mm barrel originals are less valuable that the restricted versions in the marketplace.
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I was very interested to buy a Swiss Luger but with "Trudeau fear syndrom" into my mind I step back from investing near 3000$ into a handgun,
 
Chas59 said:
As with most things, once they aren't original, the collector value plummets. However, I wanted one and my only choice was to get a rebarreled Luger. I don't regret it as I have enjoyed shooting it and it is a beautiful piece, regardless of how much it may or may not be worth in future.
Click to expand...

Same here.
 
One gun owner can buy, own & trade original Luger pistols.
Another gun owner cannot buy, own or trade originalLuger pistols. Unless the value ruining modification is done.

Sure sounds like the government has created two unequal (2) classes of lawful gun owners. According to our constitution, this is illegal.
 
Whether it's worth it or not is up to you. My opinion is that even if you have to buy a re-barreled one its worth it just to get to get to shoot one when ever you want. I also like to look at, clean, fondle, etc. etc. my Luger. Those of us that were lucky enough to be grandfathered in and have our 12(6) can own an all original German Luger. As we are living in Canada the collectability of these all original beautiful pieces of history is dying out as us old 12(6) guys and gals kick the bucket. But this means that we can pick up a nice all original Luger for $800 - $1,000 while the bastardized ones sell for $1,800.

 
A small win for the Luger is that it is the only basterdized for barrel Cdn length guns I can think of that actually look better with a slightly longer barrel..... :)
 
either you rebarrel it and a Canadian enjoys it, or you export it to the US and it gets a big nasty import stamp. There is no saving them, neither government will respect their history.
 
So sad to see governments not caring about any historical side of these guns. I would love to have an all original Luger, but will have to settle with a modified Canadian version. It does seem unfair that unless you are grandfathered and have a prohibited version, we can not have an original version.
 
The only way to keep any historical value is to have the original barrel extended. Do not go with aftermarket barrels on an original numbers matching Luger. It may cost a few bucks more to extend the original barrel, but at least you keep the numbers matching barrel on the firearm where it belongs. Any gunsmith can do it, normally it’s just a matter of turning a barrel liner down on the lathe and oversizing the barrel so it accepts the new liner. When they turn the liner down on a lathe they just leave about a 1/4” untouched and this becomes the extension. If done right you can’t even tell except for the sight being in the original location.
I personally only look for Lugers with extended barrels or prohibs that haven’t been touched. This way I can keep the Luger as original as I legally can. In my opinion a Luger with an aftermarket barrel has lost half of its original parts (by length) therefor it’s not worth much to me. A lot of people aren’t aware or even given this choice of extending the barrel so they just go with an aftermarket screw on barrel. I’ve encountered some really nice units in the past, but sadly they weren’t original due to the barrel swap so I passed on them. Our laws suck, but we must do all we can to preserve history even if it costs a few bucks more.
 
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