sorry for the multiple answers
i have just put the tool back in the holster and pulled it in and out a number of times and it does not appear to touch the stud

1

Nick, OK...I rest my case. Must be a good one.
Jerry Burney

Something I have not heard mention in this thread yet is the semichrome test to determine if the tool is rust blue or not. I doubt if a fake tool was ever rust blue.

Dow,

What is the Semi-Chrome test? What does it consist of?

Rubbing semi-chrome on to see if the blue comes off?

Ron

semichrome is a cleaner, used for brass, etc. it will clean off the natural rust, so it "might" show if it is older.

From what I udnerstand, the thickness of the tool is the best way to decide if real or not. Hardness, well, i have found the fakes to easily bend, so bad i hate them and won't buy a fake.

Also, I have seen old lists of luger dealers, both Hoffman and Shattuck offering new made, just like the originals in the 1960's.


Ed

Ron,
Semichrome will take the blue off if it's a cold blue. If it's a salt blue the white cloth will be balck. If it's a rust blue the white cloth will turn brown. This is the first test I do on all Imperial or Weimar TD tools before I even think of measureing. Their is a good thread about this topic on the other forum. I hope this helps.

http://luger.gunboards.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12046

Jerry, I too believe that this is an authentic early nazi era (late 1934 to early 1939) dwe/63 tool. The Sarco repro dwe/63 stamp were hit so hard that the outside rim of the die also made an impression on the tool. TH

Here are some better pictures of the tool in question I took awhile back.

Another one.