redlightrich
New member
Hello, being born in the early 60's, I grew up watching war movies. My mom. dad, aunts and uncles continually talked about WWII and how it affected their lives. They were a great generation indeed. There is no doubt in my mind that WWII helped shape their lives. Their continual war stories piqued my interest in wartime items.
I also grew up looking at the Luger. I love the shape and toggle. I have seen many elders war " souvenir" and my admiration of this gun grew stronger. Yes I love the 1911 and other American arms, but the Luger always made me want one.
Fast forward to today. The family is grown, it's safe to keep firearms around the home. I can afford to splurge on myself a little.
I decided to buy a Luger. I had only 2 requirements, I wanted a nice condition "shooter" which meant it doesn't need to be numbers match, and I wanted one made for WWII so 1939-1945 or thereabouts.
Then I began to search, and then SMACK it hit me.... This weapon may have taken the life or lives of US Soldiers! Gosh, I called my older brother, who collects wartime items, and asked his thoughts about my thought. He said, " yes Rich, that is what that gun was made for".. to kill allied troops. He then asked" what are you afraid of". I couldn't explain thoroughly, but I felt that I was then idolizing an object that goes against every bit of my being. Designed to harm the US and it's soldiers. PLEASE DON'T TAKE OFFENSE IF YOU OWN ONE!!!!!!!! I am not judging you. I don't think poorly of you. The truth is, if I didn't have a large family, which slowed down the ability to purchase this sooner, I would have several by now.
I am looking for a way to view my ownership of this gun without disrespecting the life of the soldier or soldiers that it may have taken.
This thread is written with respect and sincerity. I am not trying to, and will not engage in a flame war. I am not trying to elicit anger. I am just trying to get past this thought that will prevent me from ever buying something that I have wanted all my life. If I can't, then so be it. I have lived this long, and can continue. But I sure can imaging holding it, and thinking of my dad, his brothers, and some great stories they have. My mom's brothers also had great stories. Even my mom, who had to leave school and go to work because the family lost the income of her brothers who were all in the war. I have a passport, that my dad took from an SS. Sorry, I can't make the proper S using my computer. I would put those 2 items together if I buy. My dad told me normal German soldiers when captured would immediately claim NON SS. They felt they may receive mercy, that would not be shown to SS.
Sorry that I digress. Many of our parents were thru the war. Gosh, there may be a few of us who actually were in WWII, and if you were, I salute you, thank you, and respect what you did for our country.......
Again.....
This thread is written with respect and sincerity. I am not trying to, and will not engage in a flame war. I am not trying to elicit anger.
God bless America, God bless our soldiers, veterans and citizens!!!
Rich
I also grew up looking at the Luger. I love the shape and toggle. I have seen many elders war " souvenir" and my admiration of this gun grew stronger. Yes I love the 1911 and other American arms, but the Luger always made me want one.
Fast forward to today. The family is grown, it's safe to keep firearms around the home. I can afford to splurge on myself a little.
I decided to buy a Luger. I had only 2 requirements, I wanted a nice condition "shooter" which meant it doesn't need to be numbers match, and I wanted one made for WWII so 1939-1945 or thereabouts.
Then I began to search, and then SMACK it hit me.... This weapon may have taken the life or lives of US Soldiers! Gosh, I called my older brother, who collects wartime items, and asked his thoughts about my thought. He said, " yes Rich, that is what that gun was made for".. to kill allied troops. He then asked" what are you afraid of". I couldn't explain thoroughly, but I felt that I was then idolizing an object that goes against every bit of my being. Designed to harm the US and it's soldiers. PLEASE DON'T TAKE OFFENSE IF YOU OWN ONE!!!!!!!! I am not judging you. I don't think poorly of you. The truth is, if I didn't have a large family, which slowed down the ability to purchase this sooner, I would have several by now.
I am looking for a way to view my ownership of this gun without disrespecting the life of the soldier or soldiers that it may have taken.
This thread is written with respect and sincerity. I am not trying to, and will not engage in a flame war. I am not trying to elicit anger. I am just trying to get past this thought that will prevent me from ever buying something that I have wanted all my life. If I can't, then so be it. I have lived this long, and can continue. But I sure can imaging holding it, and thinking of my dad, his brothers, and some great stories they have. My mom's brothers also had great stories. Even my mom, who had to leave school and go to work because the family lost the income of her brothers who were all in the war. I have a passport, that my dad took from an SS. Sorry, I can't make the proper S using my computer. I would put those 2 items together if I buy. My dad told me normal German soldiers when captured would immediately claim NON SS. They felt they may receive mercy, that would not be shown to SS.
Sorry that I digress. Many of our parents were thru the war. Gosh, there may be a few of us who actually were in WWII, and if you were, I salute you, thank you, and respect what you did for our country.......
Again.....
This thread is written with respect and sincerity. I am not trying to, and will not engage in a flame war. I am not trying to elicit anger.
God bless America, God bless our soldiers, veterans and citizens!!!
Rich