Walther LP 53 for sale

Gebruder Gumbold

Cheers, all,
Need your sage advice: this LP 53 was offered to me for sale- is it the correct one as seen in the Bond poster?
Thought I saw a thread once that there were 2 different models.
Thanks, Tom

texas007

this is the earlier version - smooth finished - you need the later model textured finished.
I love this smooth finish though - let me know if you don't want it

Gebruder Gumbold

Thanks, you mean like this one?

Norcha

Wasn't LP53 used for posters all throughout black? Inc. plastic grips?
Or I'm wrong?

texas007

Still wrong - you want the textured / "crinkled" finish

Gebruder Gumbold wrote:

Thanks, you mean like this one?

texas007

Yes the grip is also black.

Norcha wrote:

Wasn't LP53 used for posters all throughout black? Inc. plastic grips?
Or I'm wrong?

Gebruder Gumbold

AH! Once again my AJB brethren come thru with critical info. Thanks Texas, for saving me the trouble of purchasing what I thought would be the correct gun, from the advert that even said "James Bond!"
I truly appreciate your help.
Was in a collectibles shop Saturday, and saw another Thunderball Rocket Belt helmet- the one used at the Chateau scenes, NOT the studio smaller one that Connery wore.
Love the shape of it, same used in Lost In Space flying sequences, except the T/Ball one was a different colour.
Let me know if interested.
Cheers,
Tom

texas007

cheers buddy -{

superado

texas007 wrote:

this is the earlier version - smooth finished - you need the later model textured finished.

Whew! Made me look at mine!

Skippy

I will first point out the enormous caveat that I know almost nothing about these Walther air pistols...

But if anyone is in the market for one of these, there are three (although only one 'appears' to be the correct version) for sale here if you search the site for 'LP53':

http://www.jcmilitaria.com

I don't know if they ship internationally and I know amongst some UK militaria collectors they have a reputation for being expensive in their asking prices; but having bought a grenade from them I'm still here

Gebruder Gumbold

Thanks Skippy....is this the correct one?

http://www.jcmilitaria.com/display_image.asp?ID=9724

Gebruder Gumbold

Ok, I looked closer, and I assume it is the one w black grips, in the middle??

Skippy

Gebruder Gumbold wrote:

Ok, I looked closer, and I assume it is the one w black grips, in the middle??

I'm afraid I have about as much idea as you! I'm just going on what Tex said and eyeball. I'd wait on Texas007 jumping back in to confirm or some else with good knowledge.

texas007

Yes - but the grips need to be black to be 100%

Gebruder Gumbold wrote:

Thanks Skippy....is this the correct one?

http://www.jcmilitaria.com/display_image.asp?ID=9724

Gebruder Gumbold

Thanks Texas! What do you think about the price?
Seems about right for a mint collectible....

texas007

I thought the price is a little high - also not in original Walther presentation case - those can be worth more than the guns
Also don't like the position of "Made in Germany" marking on this one

minigeff

Not wanting to sound a little arsey or daft, but why would you pay a lot of money for something that isn't right?

I mean, sure its an LP53, but it's not the same model as the famous connery picture, so wouldn't it be more satisfying to wait until the correct one came up instead?

Skippy

Gebruder Gumbold wrote:

Ok, I looked closer, and I assume it is the one w black grips, in the middle??

I think the one GG is asking about is this one:

http://www.jcmilitaria.com/display_image.asp?ID=12132

As I said when I stumped that site up as a possible source, I have no idea personally if those or that particular one are the correct model, I just thought I had seen something like them on that site and found 3 for sale by using the site search facility looking for 'LP53'.

If texas007 is saying that the price for those is a bit high, that would support what a few UK militaria collectors have said to me about that particular site.

texas007

yes - that is the correct one
just don't like the position of "Made in Germany" marking

Skippy wrote:

Gebruder Gumbold wrote:

Ok, I looked closer, and I assume it is the one w black grips, in the middle??

I think the one GG is asking about is this one:

http://www.jcmilitaria.com/display_image.asp?ID=12132

As I said when I stumped that site up as a possible source, I have no idea personally if those or that particular one are the correct model, I just thought I had seen something like them on that site and found 3 for sale by using the site search facility looking for 'LP53'.

If texas007 is saying that the price for those is a bit high, that would support what a few UK militaria collectors have said to me about that particular site.

Skippy

Yeah, I wasn't impressed with that either

Bond Collectors' Weekends

minigeff wrote:

Not wanting to sound a little arsey or daft, but why would you pay a lot of money for something that isn't right?

I mean, sure its an LP53, but it's not the same model as the famous connery picture, so wouldn't it be more satisfying to wait until the correct one came up instead?

Yes sir. I agree. But sometimes, I've gotten a placeholder for the collection while I wait. An LP 53 is a good example of a collectible that went up in price - to match the crazy prices for the Connery publicity still auction(s) of the "original" Bond LP...

I still feel stupid about when I hadn't checked prices on DB5s and PMJB pointed out to me I was off by a factor of 600% after just a few years! I guess people saw the Skyfall DB destroyed and figured Earth was running low on them! Should have bought an Aston when I could!

texas007

here are some of my LP53s

Skippy

Wow! Very nice

Although the comment "some of my LP53s" leads me to wonder just how many you actually have!?!

texas007

oh.... just a few more with brown grips and two in Walther original presentation cases
These air pistols are super beautiful and also just fun for backyard shooting -{

Skippy wrote:

Wow! Very nice

Although the comment "some of my LP53s" leads me to wonder just how many you actually have!?!

Gebruder Gumbold

Thanks All,
Minigeff- yes, I was referring tot he textured one, which is the correct Connery version.
Texas- What sharp little eyes you've got, what is up with the "Made in Germany" stamping?
Better to wait I say...

Gebruder Gumbold

Hi BCW
On the DB5 prices, there area few factors involved.
I had the chance to buy the white one that went for big money at last year's Newport Pagnell Bonham's auction that was a "barn find" from San Francisco in 1983.
My car pal and I were walking around on Union Street, and saw, in an old garage converted to a car park, a car stuffed between two columns. I knew immediately what it was, based on seeing GF many times at the movies and TV (no VHS then...) He argued that it was a Karmann Ghia and I was crazy. Ok, he was right on point #2, but when we pulled open the tarp, it was a painted white (and badly) DB5, LHD, with red interior. Car had been sitting for years. This was 1983, and the interior was beat up. Car had sustained front end accident damage, and some right rear problems w the bodywork. So we asked around, wrote letters, and waited. Finally, a letter appeared from some lawyer in Marin. Said they would sell the car to use for $15K. That was a fortune for two college kids who both drove Fiats, so we passed. Damn!

Next, I started looking in the '90's, before the I-Net, and located one for a friend, and found one through word of mouth- again, a LHD model that ended up being in a basement in Paris. Turns out that that car was legit, and even ran. Blue w/ red interior. Seems many LHD DB5s were made w the red interior, which, IMHO, is absolutely stunning. $80K.

Then, I started looking with the help of the I-Net, for me. Too late. 2005 the cars, mainly because of the Internet, became a world market for cash rich investors. I saw them start going for $100K, and it seemed that every month they would go up.
Cars offered for sale were quickly gobbled up by frenzied buyers- and then Dubai got into the market and it was all over for us.
Went to 3 NP auctions in the UK, the last one in 2008, and there was frenzied bidding.
Bidders were paying GPB 300,000 for a DB5 Convertible, and easily 150,000 for a road going coupe.
Mind you, the US $ was weak against all foreign currency, so the Pound cost me $2.12 at the time, making a DB5, with premium, $350K...
Then, Skyfall only added to the blaze that was burning out of control.

Made me really take stock of what I wanted. Deep down I knew the answer, and the Universe was telling me to pursue my childhood dream, and that was the OHMSS DBS.
Glad I did, as I am very happy with my choice now. Even happier that I see the DBS prices going into orbit. GBP 90,000 for a tatty car.

So, where does that leave you?

Attend an Aston Martin Owners Club event or Concours. Talk to owners, sit in one, have a drive of one. Learn what it is to restore, own,and tinker with a DB5, or any DB Aston.
Then, go and buy a modern car that actually starts and stops.
It is a romantic thing to chase an Aston, and a nightmare to catch one....

Cheers,
Tom

Skippy

How nice to own a vintage AM Funnily enough I ended up going the very route you advise GG and got a contemporary one, which bless her, still starts without issue even if I leave her in the garage for 3 months providing I hit the battery disconnect button.

Prices still climb for the vintages though... the latest AMW Bonhams auction this year has DB5 coupé on guide prices of £250k - £350k. Sounds like you got yours at a good time money wise -{