You are like me~~Spoiled!!

Looks like they just started one up! https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/C96_Forum/info I would be relucant to join any forum run by anyone other then Jan or our backers! I just noticed it was formed in 2002 and has only 4 members!!

Yeah... Accompanying import from China in 1980s, a whole new generation of C96 collectors grew up. The focus was a little bit weird, people had endless amount of interest on how to reline/rebore/reblue those "beaters" year over year. More then 70% of C96 listed on GB are this category.

The particular one on this image looks like a Federal Ord 714. God knows based on what they coined this term. Does not matter. Fantastic anyway. It's not unlike post WWII Interarms Luger, but implemented in a crude way.

Some repro items were also imported. The situation is not unlike Luger either. For example:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=468520965

A few more lugers at Julia auction: http://jamesdjulia.com/?s=luger&post...meta_value=373

As for buying things from other members or collectors I haven't seen many 20 shot conehammers come up. It's what I'd be interested in adding to my collection. That and a Turkish contract piece. I saw the 20 that was parts of Sturgess' collection ( I thought that one sold last year?? - never mind it is a different piece) but very likely the price + bidder's fee will push it past what I'd like to pay. Jerry

The more I think, the more I feel I made the right decision to acquire Joe's 20CH. It's not in great shape, but the gun is original and matching, except three replacement parts: grip screw, magazine spring, and recoil spring. None of those are numbered, so not critical. Actually, reflecting the gun's overall condition well. I am happy that he did not sell it to other people under table.

If I tracked right, There 3 more original 20CH sold in the past 3-4 years publicly. Hermann-historica sold a Flatside 20CH, the condition is slightly less, price is comparable (Euro worth a lot at that time). A British auctioneer sold another Flatside 20CH in fine shape, with uncomfortable modified front sight. Sturgess sold an early one with a cut on stock last year. Each one has something less than ideal, but that seems to be reality. The latter two, of course, were more expensive.

A few other 20CH sold have more serious issue. Either totally refurbished, or having numbered parts replaced. etc.

Julia March has another 20CH, but it has too many issues even on a few photos.

RIAC April has a Flatside 20CH with matching stock, could be interesting. Looks like some surface rust has been lightly sanded off in the past. From preview photo, it's hard to tell how serious the damage was. Might be OK.

What are the issues with the 20 shot in the March auction Alvin? I read about the stock not matching and having a piece missing. I thought that I read that the grips are not matching either. The milled frame is more desirable to me although I thought the flat side 20 shot is less common; if the RIAC example is one of that series of 90 (?) identified that supposedly went to South America it's number being 91 just puts it outside that series. It also seemed to me that overall the RIAC example would be more desirable in part because I believe the stock matches and seems mostly intact.

I'd love to have a 20 shot before I kick the bucket but I doubt I'll have a lot of chances at one...

Jerry