A Mild Rant: Stupid Marketing Names

Published on May 16, 2019
Duration: 6:57

This video critiques the use of marketing-driven names like 'Grey Ghost' for P38s and 'Black Widow' for Lugers, arguing they obscure historical significance. The 'Grey Ghost' P38s were French-produced, parkerized pistols from 1945-1946, marketed for their finish. The 'Black Widow' Lugers are 1941-1942 Mauser models with Bakelite grips, named by dealer Ralph Shattuck to inflate value. The speaker advises collectors to focus on a firearm's actual production history rather than aftermarket names.

Quick Summary

The 'Grey Ghost' P38 was a marketing term for French-produced, parkerized pistols (1945-1946). The 'Black Widow' Luger refers to Mauser (BYF) models from 1941-1942 with black plastic grips, a name created by dealer Ralph Shattuck to boost value.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Pet Peeve - Marketing Names
  2. 00:17The 'Grey Ghost' P38 Explained
  3. 01:19The 'Black Widow' Luger Origins
  4. 03:38Ralph Shattuck & The 'Black Widow' Name
  5. 04:16Impact on Collectibility & History
  6. 05:55Conclusion: Buy What It Is

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Grey Ghost' P38?

The 'Grey Ghost' is a marketing name coined by Interarms for late-war/post-war (1945-1946) French-produced P38 pistols. They were parkerized instead of blued to save time and resources, and the name was used to make this finish more appealing to collectors.

What defines a 'Black Widow' Luger?

A 'Black Widow' Luger typically refers to Mauser-produced (BYF code) models from 1941-1942 that feature black plastic (Bakelite) grips and magazine floor plates, a change made due to wartime material shortages.

Who created the 'Black Widow' Luger name?

The name 'Black Widow' was reportedly coined by prominent Luger dealer Ralph Shattuck. His intention was to increase the perceived collector value of generic mid-war Mauser Lugers.

Why are marketing names like 'Black Widow' problematic for collectors?

These names can distort historical reality and inflate prices. The 'Black Widow' designation, for instance, encourages collectors to swap original wood grips for plastic ones, destroying the firearm's historical integrity.

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