Murray,
I had a picture in reply to the picture of you on the porch, but then I realized there was four more pages of posting behind it. I'll have to save it for later. Nice pieces!

Steve

I made an inquiry on a stock and leather attachments that were being sold on Ebay (item #6543080649). My inquiry was about the serial number on the stock. It turns out that the serial number is 9685 and I have an Erfurt artillery with a serial number of 9690. So close and yet so far. But the seller of this Ebay item sent me the following email:

hello norm
i am sure i can change that number!
i met a man at the great western gun show who had an original set of erfurt
stamps
my 1917, i dont like to mentioning any naughty words, had an unmarked side
plate which he stamped 54 for me at no charge could you not have the same done
on your metal work?
nick

After reading the above comments in this thread regarding the K date KM, I got a little sick at the reply to my inquiry. It would sure be nice to know who this counterfeiter at the Great Western gun show is. I am sure that no legal action could be taken against him. But I am sure that some freedom of speech could be expressed.

Otherwise, I sincerely hope that legal action is taken against that Mr. Lee Jessen who sold this gun. I think that $12,000 is serious money to anybody. If the dealer is found guilty of fraud, then the BATF could revoke his license and thus prevent him from cheating others. His name and business name is now on my bulletin board.
Big Norm

Great thread.
Bob

Too bad all the photos are gone....

+ 1

This was all before my time, and most of the pictures are gone, but an interesting story nonetheless.

Sadly, many of the posters in this thread seem to be gone as well... :(

(They never did say who The Great Counterfeiter was...)