mauser 42 rig
 

hello all, was browsing armslist and found this posting and wanted some opinions. is it worth 1500? what could be some good questions to ask the seller? thanks

description:
A very nice WWII Mauser byf Luger, made in 1942, serial number 2659i, matching numbers, 42 marked take down too, two identical FXO plastic bottom mags proofed Eagle 37, matching 1942 holster with a good scrap cut on the back, excellent bore, original blue with no rust or damage.

http://www.armslist.com/posts/338185...lack-widow-rig

At first glance it seems like a pretty darn good deal. If it were my money I'd request more photos, a 3 day inspection, more info. on the holster (repro?), and want to confirm that the internals ALL match.
Keep us posted as info. comes in.
dju

Also, a takedown tool numbered "42" sounds fishy.
dju

Yeah it was posted today so I've got plenty of time to bug him with questions, I'll request more pictures before the end of the night

Possible Scam
 

It looked too good to be true - link now reads
"The community has spoken! This listing been flagged as a scam."

The Holster was certainly an "aged" repro.

I don't see any obvious red flags on the holster. Perhaps you guys could tell me why you think it's a repro?
Norm

Armslist seems rife with this stuff. Remember the Navy I posted about last year? The scammer had snagged the pics and description from a legitimate offer on another site and was trolling for customers on a couple other sites. I nibbled until my FFL told me the license they sent was a phony--name and address changed to another state! I turned all the emails and info over to the BATFE, which was an accomplishment in itself because they shunted me around three times until I was put in contact with the agent with proper jurisdiction. The upshot was that they probably wouldn't do much about these frauds, and I'd never hear the outcome of whatever investigation might be conducted.

Although I could certainly be wrong, my first clues were the poor stitching on the tool pouch, the die bleed over on the tool pouch cover, (I never see this on authentic holsters) and the incorrect knot at the end of the pull strap.

Norm, I agree, it looked fine to me too (holster)

I know a friend that almost got ripped off on a Colt that I pointed him too! If they are not in the area, or they refuse more pictures, than I am leery, but because of several scams, I stay away from Arms list.

Craigslist, I had an old trunk up for sale, got the classic response. interested, sent emails and eventually they said, they lived out of the area and I would have to ship, they would send me full money, I pay up front for the shipping company and for my 'trouble' I would keep an extra $100 - they said that I would have to pay the shipping company and they would Paypal me - which, they did / looked like a real paypal payment, was not of course. But it looked very real...

Doug, YOU MAY be wrong, but if you are, then I am too because I am inclined to agree with you... Repro holster IMHO for the same reasons.

Not that it matters much since it appears to be a scam anyway.

Norm:
The condition of the inside of the tool flap just looks too new, unused. Also the thickness of the main closure strap looks suspect. But seeing that the tool was "also marked 42" brought everything into suspicion, and here weren't enough good photos to go to work on the gun, mags, or tool. We just need more photos.
I'm interested to hear Jerry weigh in on the holster.
dju

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee's Back!

This time the gun is on GunAuction, and the price has jumped to $3450.00 !

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/129359...lack-widow-rig

The seller has responded to my contact and states someone low balled him and flagged him as spam when he wouldn't take the offer, I'll post the emails and the other pictures he sent me shortly when I'm off work

I would love to know his explanation for doubling the price from one auction site to another!

Does anybody recognize a "DKK 42" maker's mark on the holster? The additional photos certainly point to authentic, but either someone was uncharacteristically sloppy with the holster die, or somebody tried to "freshen" the finish with shoe polish.

Also, I imagine we have a member or two in Arizona who could mosey over and take a look at it, (not that I'm buying)?

I know Frank Manders doesn't need this gun, as when we had lunch a few weeks ago he told me he finally had one Mauser for every year of manufacture in his collection... but I am sure he might be interested to look at the rig...

Frank, are you listening?

If the price is $3500, is there any point in making the trip?
dju

"KN" has 707 positive feedbacks on gunauction.com. Could the armslist guy be using his pictures?

After looking at the new photos, I still do not see anything wrong with this rig, The gun, magazines, holster and tool, all look correct. While a price of $3,450.00 may not rank with the Louisiana Purchase as the bargain of the century, it's not out of line with the market. And David, I don't know why the 42 marked tool should arouse suspicion, they are not common but they are illustrated in "Third Reich Lugers" and mentioned, but not illustrated, by Sturgess.
Regards, Norm
P.S. I am not acquainted with the seller, my interest in this lot is purely academic.

I'd have no hesitation with that holster - right as rain & authentic.
Oval holes on tie down, shape & size of mag housing, conture & fit of lid when closed, tool stud, buckle type,finish & position, belt loop slant, stitching, uniform old stamping, interior colour etc.. it's the sum of it's parts.
The repro's are a pale comparison.
Brendan

this is his response when i first emailed him

From: Col. Steve A
Attached are some of the pics. I am in King and you?
Please note that An ******* contacted me about paying the sum of $300 for the gun an i told him there is no way i will be selling for that amount but the idiot wouldnt stop mailing me about offering the same amount so i threatened to have him reported to the ops and the idiot went online to have my listing flagged and still have the guts to write me about it. I intend teaching him a lesson he wont forget in a hurry. i will be submitting his email to the cops later in the day.
I still have it available for sale and we can proceed if you still wanna, thank you.

also he attached the same pictures as from the gun auction site, im about to ask him about it...

DKK - WaA 195 Friedrich Offerman & Soehne, Bensberg

OK, I have been corrected. Again...
dju

well gents if this isnt a red flag i dont know what is...
you be the judge

From: Col. Steve A
The other listing was posted by my uncle because we are desperately trying to raise some money for my grandaughter surgery, even though the price is unreasonaly high, he wouldn t liten to the fact it will be difficult to sell at such amount. Anyway, how do you want us to proceed please? will you come down so we can complete the transaction?

Yeah, just step into my basement.........

Yes. This happened with the scammers for the 1917 Navy. One site was the original/actual seller's, and it had been sold for around 3 grand. The scammers used his pics and a lot of his description on two other sites. They are from Indianapolis, a woman named Amber did the correspondence with me. I told them I had a friend in the area who could come by and look at it, and they should call him to arrange this--I gave them the ATF agent's number. Meanwhile I turned over all links, emails, etc. to the bureau/agent.