The "Black Widow" Luger Craze & Veteran Story!

In this video, Tom discusses the recent craze surrounding the "Black Widow" Lugers. He also shows us a "Black Widow" rig captured by a WW2 veteran!
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[@ArenBerberian]

As someone in my mid 20s, who has Dyslexia, and who has always struggled in education and the standard set system, I really appreciate your highlighting of this issue here. Thank you!

[@BenDover-tj8vf]

Please keep telling yourself that a huge number of famous geniuses are the same as you . You will achieve much in life I am sure of it ,stay strong sir .

[@tblack7191]

Awesome to see the veterans connection to the Luger. As I’ve grown older I’ve found it’s just as important to try and get the circumstances behind how the item made it to the states as it is to get the item itself. The greatest generation is fading fast and it important to capture the history.

[@jtgall1]

It seems like the Army vets in Europe came back with all kinds of goodies. My dad being a Marine Raider in the Pacific came back with bullet scars, hepatitis, malaria, war stories and sometimes a bad temper.

[@cameronmccreary4758]

My father was in WWII in the U.S. Navy and he came back with shrapnel in the back from a blown up ship and a 4 pack of cigarettes a day smoker. I was 5 mos. old when he passed away from ling cancer. People I talked with who fought Germany came back with the "good stuff," the Japanese tools of war weren't as high a quality as the German tools of war.

[@hoppinggnomethe4154]

@@cameronmccreary4758 of course, the German tools a were superior

[@JEJAK5396]

Lots of Pacific War Vets brought back souvenirs.

[@jamalwilburn228]

Europe had mail stations and routes to make it easier to just mail things back whenever. Alot more nearby support units, and one could drive anywhere. In the Pacific, they were in the middle of nowhere with no clear post stations nearby to send back items. No way to easily acquire a ship or navigate the Pacific. No one wanted to carry extra guns and swords around for weeks until they got to somewhere way in the rear

[@jamalwilburn228]

In the Pacific, flags, swords, and guns were sent home by the ton.

[@simonjones6128]

I watched Ian mccollem s video on the release of you latest book he did a great job of promoting it

[@fireguy_75]

Fantastic video, very informative & interesting about another Greatest Generation Vet & his war prize.

[@slimfire5475]

Very interesting video on the Luger and Mr. Piper .He truly was a brave man. My friend has a Black Widow Luger that he inherited from his Uncle who was in World War Two. It was the first time and last time that I fired a Luger .This was about 25 yrs ago and I remember the empty cases ejected back over your head, instead of to the side. Thanks for the video.

[@C.A.O.]

Lugers are fun to shoot😁

[@CaptainRon1913]

Nice story about Edwin. Would have been interesting to know the story of how he got this Luger. I had two uncles that served. One landed D-Day + 2 or 3, the other a few months later. One of them came home early. Severely wounded by friendly fire. Column mistakenly strafed by US fighter planes. The other spend the duration and brought home some Nazi memorabilia which I now have. Arm band, medals, and a SS dress bayonet. God bless Edwin

[@vbantjes]

I really like your video's and info as a South African Vet from the Angola war I really respect your dedication also speaking about the WW vets. Respect and salute to Sargent Piper. 🤛

[@ianfarquharson3772]

At some point historical collectibles won't come down in price when enough time has passed. Love your content.ThankQ.TkEZ>UK

[@stoneblue1795]

Thanks to Mr. Piper for his gallant years of service and to his family for their sacrifices. Sounded like a good fellow indeed. Manikin in the outhouse, well done sir!

[@louiswarmoth7354]

Thanks for another educational video, Tom. I particularly enjoyed the fact that you took the time to do the research into Mr. Piper’s history and honored an American hero by relating it to us.

[@11RICKSTER]

As a Vietnam veteran listening to your discussion about Ed who was like you said the real deal. Men of that caliber humble me. However what you do Mr Tom is heart warming and most admired. Thank you from the bottom of my heart sir.

[@RickJZ1973]

Excellent presentation Tom. I really enjoyed this one. Thank you.

[@leonardjanda6181]

You are very honest, about price’s going up, like you have said the bubble affect, and yes it’s about business . Great video

[@brianwilhelm37]

Honest? he swaps parts out to enhance the value of items. He loves telling stories about the men who brought these artifacts back and then sometimes besmirches the artifacts by replacing parts to up the value. I once sold Legacy Collectibles a beautiful Type 94 pistol with holster and cleaning rod as it came home with the Veteran. These items had been together for 70 years. Not long after, the pistol, holster and cleaning rod were all for sale SEPARATELY over at his buddie's shop, Pre98 Antiques. Why? Because at that time. you could get more money for the items separately than as a set; a set that had been brought home by one of the Greatest Generation 70 years prior and kept together for all those years. I vowed right then and there to never deal with either Legacy Collectibles or Pre98 Antiques ever again and I know a number of collectors who feel the same. When dealing with either of these shops....CAVEAT EMPTOR

[@mkultra6664]

Fantastic video! Thank you for sharing about Ed as well. That was just awesome that you covered his history and shared his honorable experiences.

[@cameronmccreary4758]

Those two P08s have a really nice fit on the extractors. When working for John Martz Luger carbine maker I made extractors and had fitted them so there was a hairline with the fit. One can tell these pistols had some nice fitting of the parts. Early war very nice pistols; late war barely fitted and barely finished.

[@brianwilhelm37]

For some reason, my comment about Legacy Collectibles switching out wood grips for bakelite ones in order to enhance value was deleted. Perhaps because I posted a link to an auction where this has been done. Legacy took in one of these pistols about a month ago and it had wooden grips on it. Fast forward a month and it's now for sale with, you guessed it, bakelite grips.I thought you said you didn't do this kind of stuff Tom?

[@brianwilhelm37]

I have proof too in the form of a before picture of the pistol as it was shipped to you and it has the wooden grips on it. I guess Integrity takes a back seat to profit at Legacy Colectibles.

[@kickit59]

Tom outstanding story on Mr. Piper! Like you say he was the real deal! My Dad was a WW2 Marine Raider and folks like my Dad & Mr. Piper had a better way of looking at things than people today. In fact they might not even recognize today's America if they took a deep dive into what's happening today!

[@simonjones6128]

Lovin the rig and the history lesson Tom

[@Nighthawk1966]

Good stuff, thank you Ed ! Great gun too !!

[@stanleyne1]

Love the videos! Very informative and interesting. Would love a luger some day as a shooter.

[@toddbraddock236]

Outstanding video as always!!!!

[@agentmueller]

Instant click, love vet bring back stories!

[@535tony]

Thank You for such a unique story.

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Happy to see you this grand morning

[@longdongsilver5592]

Black widow is badass

[@jacquesrobiche6018]

Dommage que se sois si compliqué pour possédé une arme en France car l'arme que vous présentez est de loin la plus belle que j'aimerais possédée merci pour cette présentation.

[@Nick_B_Bad]

I kept waiting and waiting for prices on (other) axis pistols in general to finally settle felt like for the last 3-4 years things have been constantly on the rise.

[@SuntoryPop927]

Great video, thank you.

[@Moggy73]

Thank you for the very interesting infos! be a proud owner of a byf42 B.W. , bought 3 weeks ago with "no plan" that i got such a special piece of (our) history, lol. Difficult way in more or less- "gun-phobic-germany" to get a pistol in a legal way. Just a pleasure to shoot it, very smooth.

[@hadenlaudin8048]

Love the content you do, your channel made me do a deep dive into collectable firearms and oh boy I don’t know if my bank account is going to recover 😂

[@kickit59]

I have had that problem for quite a while now! I really like the Lugers but my main interest is the early Smith & Wesson Model 19's. Either one can keep you broke because nice examples cost a bit!

[@alucardtepes4420]

All Lugers are ridiculous expensive. I'd love to have one, But not for over 1,000 dollars

[@mattsmith3118]

You sir have the best videos on KZbin to see some incredible Lugers

[@MrAdamchristopher2]

Got one 42 sadly no matching mag. Shot it one day couple of times. Cabelas told me $2500 back in 2011. Blueing has come off a lil around the barrel but was in the holster for decades.

[@browngreen933]

The wooden grip Lugers are nicer looking than the cheap-looking, plastic grip Black Widows.

[@ralphcurran8147]

Great content

[@craigkaschan4822]

My favourite looking gun of all time.

[@wallstbull1]

Thanks for the video and update. Bought a nice “Black Widow” rig from you about 2 years ago for $3000. Yeah, I fell for it. ;) Might have to throw it up on Gun Broker and buy a really nice “Brown Recluse” and have money in my pocket to go with it.

[@deadhorse1391]

Bakelite can be tested for by spraying some 409 cleaner on a cotton swab and rubbing it on the piece, the swab should turn yellow Doesn’t always work on black Bakelite though In my experience people often confuse hard rubber grips with Bakelite For the repo grips that don’t quite fit put them in boiling water to slightly soften them. Then install them and use a clamp to take the gap out

[@mabbrey]

great stuff

[@alanmorrow6574]

Hey any reason why your switching brown grips to black grips for more profit ? Lots of before and after pictures. Even better deleting comments about it. Would be a lot easier for you to say why.

[@LegacyCollectibles]

I didnt swap the grips. If you have before photos please forward to me. The guy who sold it to me said it was in his collection for about 8 years. But could they have been swapped? Of course. That's what the video is all about. That you can swap the grips and it will be worth more. And I have not deleted any comments unless they include profanity.

[@louiswarmoth7354]

The comments referred to are not deleted…I read them just seconds before reading this one. My interpretation of the video is entirely different than yours. Did you actually watch it ?

[@cammobunker]

It's pointless to try and collect military weapons anymore for the common guy. Even the junk is stupid expensive now. Anything decent has appreciated by 300% or more in the last ten years.

[@robthebold4589]

Hi Tom, I ordered Third Reich Lugers a few weeks ago. When will I receive it?

[@johncanzoneri4771]

See Amrican Rifleman August 1998 on this type

[@SMG-ie6im]

Weird how these black grips that add value to P08’s magically appear on them and the pistols are sold for an upcharge huh legacy?

[@Juanpasilver]

@ Legacy Collectibles - Hi Tom, what ammo should be used in a 1942 P.08 to work smooth and avoid jams? Some people say +P ammo, some say regular 9mm, some say FMJ, others say brass cases, and so on.... I just purchased a beautiful '42 Black Widow from you guys in great condition, and intend to preserve it taking very good care of it but also shoot it a few times to get the feeling... I want to do it the right way, though. Please advice. Thanks in advance!

[@isthatafamas]

I literally just got one today for 1200.

[@jeffreyhansen2806]

The silver and bronze stars refer to stars worn on the campaign medal ribbons, not the actual medals.

[@jamesthunder7590]

Hello from Sweden 🇸🇪😃👍👍👍

[@Fee.1]

Is there a way to verify whether it came with black handles originally or not?

[@stevengabrielli9224]

Is it your opinion that GI marked holsters add value or decrease value?

[@jordonross2564]

Do you know how to purchase a Beretta 70 or 71 22LR. I'm in Florida and can't find it anywhere.

[@verncommet1798]

Another great video, I tend to switch my lefts and right as well as certain numbers, have a master and doctoral degree like you, so everyone has a talent, I love watching Dr Temple Grandin speek on autism and the human brain is fascinating 🧐

[@joopluttmer9096]

Ive ones got a gray replica from china that my father bought in germany ( around 1980) legal in a tabak-shop ...with darkgray plastic handles...the barrel was without rifling and there where caps on the end and a cap at the chamber ...it cost me around 100 mark...( 75 dollar) and the same with an replica colt .45.

[@frankjudah4445]

PLS make more videos than shorts.

[@davidschaadt3460]

They are nice ,but not worth that much extra,just with the hype. Really good programs ,Sir.

[@aron7439]

🥃👍🏻

[@garysimpson3900]

Here in the UK "handguns" with the exception of muzzle loading cap & ball revolvers have been banned since 1997. As part of my militaria collection, I own a deactivated Luger complete with holster & spare magazine. Sadly, neither magazine is numbered being the black plastic/Bakelite type & the takedown tool is unmarked. It is a byf code 42 with black Bakelite grips. From your article I gather that the phrase "Black Widow Luger" (a phrase unknown in the UK) was a marketing tool used by a particular gun dealer/retailer post war selling "GI Bring Back" souvenirs. Would what I have be classed as a "Black Widow" although now sadly little more than an iconic paper weight?

[@pb68slab18]

I have a very clean BYF-41 with black Bakelite panels. I paid $500 about 30yrs ago.

[@mrsmith697]

Bakelite smells blää (smells bad) my parens had cutlery in bakelite shaft and i feel bad to eat whit they..

[@iolistor740]

👍tooop

[@haroldgodwinson832]

Maybe it's time to stop using the term 'Black Widow'. I think it's kind of sad that an entire sub-variant of Lugers was created by someone essentially trying to off-load a shipment of pistols with cheap plastic grips.

[@00Volunteer]

I think this is also one of the differences between the US and European history and distance, for us it's ww2 german era "bakelite", for you it's plastic. However, you have great weapon content, so I'll be happy to continue watching them. Thank you for your work! 🙌

[@brunswicksquaremusic5905]

I would imagine that rises in interest in Third Reich memorabilia pretty neatly coincide with the presidential campaigns of a certain orange man.

[@uuuultra]

politics? really?

[@markjob6354]

Well, looks like someone's making a quick buck on the "feeding frenzy," from the "Greed Reflex," mentality of good ol' auction psychology ? As long as something is worth whatever some fool is willing to pay for it, then there will be these lucrative "seller's bubbles." There's a reason why serious sellers use public auctions to sell their wares at. 👍

[@andreimt3337]

Most likely, like the spider, this "Luger" was also named by... "children'Z of widow" ?!.

[@alanmorrow6574]

Too embarrassed too sell them on your sight. Yet you switched the grips from brown to black.

[@308dad8]

What’s the least expensive Luger on the market, entry level if you will

[@josephguzicki9643]

As a retired school psychologist, I applaud your story and analysis 🧐

[@zillsburyy1]

no big deal

[@maximalwest2797]

They are German...that is Reason enough for exploding Prices! ;)

[@jackmiller6331]

Hey Tom 9i dont talk like that..