The Luger
Photo taken from Gunbroker.com

Length Overall	Barrel Length	Weight	Caliber	Action Type	Magazine capacity
8.75 inches	4 inches	32 ounces	9mm or 30 Luger	SA Auto	8 + 1

    This is a true classic pistol, and has one of the most recognizable silhouettes of any gun in the world. People who have never handled a gun in their lives, and have never had any interest in firearms will instantly be able to identify the Luger. Among firearms enthusiasts, the gun has a following shared by few others, and a mystique unique to itself. There are good solid objective reasons for this, though the gun affects collectors in a very subjective way.
    First, there is the appearance, and profile of the gun. There is nothing else that looks quite like it. The classic designs of John Browning, though great fighting tools, have become such standards, that their design and appearance have become almost the hallmark of The Universal Pistol. This is not the case with the Luger. There have been some latter efforts which paid tribute to the Luger by adapting some of it's design features. The Automag seemed a fairly close copy, while the Wildey, and the Walther P-38 mimicked the gun to a certain extent.
    Second is the execution, and ergonomic design. The Luger, frankly, handles great. The grip angle, width, and shape make the gun a natural pointer. The top ejection is equally kind to right or left handed shooters, unlike the right side ejection of the classic Browning designs. The toggle link, which cocks the gun by being pulled straight up, seems to be a bit more user friendly, at first, than the standard slide. The safety could be a bit more conveniently placed, but you can't have everything.
    Third is it's contribution to firearms development. The Luger was the first really practical automatic pistol adapted by a major nation. It was one of the first truly practical autos ever made, and proved the viability of the concept. It also introduced the 9mm cartridge, for better or worse, to the world.
    Fourth is it's role in history. The Luger was used in both world wars, though it is a product of the times of the First World War. Many associate it with the Nazis, and it is often seen as a gun of the Second World war, but in truth, it's role was largely being taken over by the more reliable P-38. The Luger was designed for the Imperial German Army of the Kaiser.