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[guns3545]

Originally Posted by stimg367

John thank you so much for the info, it's a gun that I'm going to keep for a long time, it sounds pretty rare. I just took it to a local gun show to get some info, one guy offered me $1000 for it I said he was way way off and I had zero interest in selling it. Just an example of some dealers trying to get something for nothing. Do you think I should have the grips reworked?

Raymond,

You are most welcome.

I agree that the pistol is worth more than $1000. It is a nice representative Mauser Banner Commercial.

The grips are correct and their wear is consistent with the rest of the pistol. That's a reason for not doing anything.

Secondly and this is just me and how I treat collecting. I never, as a matter of policy do anything to "improve" a gun beyond normal cleaning and maintenance. So, I clean and put preservative on grips but I would NEVER have them re-checkered for example.

First, the wear is part of the gun and its history. Second, why would you have "perfectly checkered" grips on a gun that clearly has been used. Red Flag to a knowledgeable collector.

Thirdly, and this is just my humble opinion, brand new grips grips on an otherwise used gun would be a red flag to me that someone was playing games, and to me that is a reason to walk away.

But that's just me. Other collectors are more aggressive but still stay within the bounds of honest descriptions. Unfortunately, some collector/dealers strive to improve their guns and unfortunately bring our hobby in dis-repute as it is no longer a hobby but a business to them. And there are always the collectors that simply must have the perfect/pristine example and will do anything to make that happen.

But I am perambulating.

Enjoy your gun.

John