Price here in Germany would be somewhere between 400 and 500€
Printable View
Price here in Germany would be somewhere between 400 and 500€
I'm certainly a novice - acquiring my first P08 only a few months ago. I realize it's mismatched, but just the side plate, at least as far as I see. The finish, well, to me I just see character. Very cool piece.
I no longer own any pistols other than "Lugers" (P08/04 etc), so I realise that owning that LP08 just for the fun of it, is something I would likely be inclined to do. The "patina" also makes it desireable (even though it detracts from its "market value"). And it was made by DWM, which I greatly prefer (although Mauser, who made them much later, is assumed to have used a better type of steel). Even non-collectors like me seem to accumulate a large number of connected accoutrements.
Honest wear is certainly acceptable as it shows the pistol was used for it's intended purpose, but for the life of me I can't see how rust and pitting from neglect adds character.
Maybe that´s one of the differences between those that cherish something for what it is and "collectors", whose interest is determined by factors that might be relevant to its commercial value. The slight rust and the slightly distorted rear cams would drive off most "collectors". But a pristine "fully numbered" weapon has very little character and I´d gladly leave it to someone who is more interested in its market price. As I use all of the weapons I prossess regularly, I have very little to do with dealers and their ilk and would not expect them to understand what motivates me.
A dealer could care less about what motivates someone as long as they make a sale. If they can sell rusted and pitted guns it probably makes them happier than selling a nice matching rig with no character.
I'm in your camp Villiers. I shoot everything I own as well. For me, an old gun with a little rust and pitting is something I enjoy bringing back to life. If I owned a pristine, number matched, firearm I wouldn't want to shoot it for fear of breaking one of the number parts (like an extractor on a P08). Although it might be cool to own something so pristine, I would much rather use and shoot it - it's much more fun! -IMHO
I have to agree with that point. I have a Krag carbine that I intend to shoot even though it's original...for the most part. Hope I don't break it...I had a rifle that I didn't shoot for that concern, and just sold it recently. But I have to sort out a ratty looking piece.
If someone cared enough to take care of the pistol over it's 100 year life, it certainly shows character in the people that previously owned it, and the character carries over to the pistol. If someone laid it aside to let it rust and pit that shows lack of character in the person that let that happen. Whether you choose to shoot something is an individual decision, and has nothing to do with condition preventing it from being fired. Why own a neglected pistol in the belief that a nicer pistol can't be fired? Weren't they all made to shoot? If I am going to shoot something, I want it to be nice as well as have character.