Borchardt Manual success!
 

Well, some good news and some bad news.
I went to the mainland and bought me a Borchardt Manual. It turned out to be a DWM 1st edition in amazing condition.The owner had removed the staples when they started to rust so the book has little staining.
The bad news was that he also had an original Barring Block and cleaning rod assy and he would only sell the two together, so I now have two barring blocks/cleaning rod kits. Any one want one?

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/120_2083_1.jpg

Regards
Murray.:cheers:

Well done,

Talk about a luxury problem here :)

I have no idea what a Barring Block would be worth. Can anyone help?
Also, is the manual too good to be true. Is it a fake? I need some help here please...........!

Hi Murray,

How does it smell? If the book smells fresh (traces of ink and glue), than you have a problem. If there's no trace of the printing smell and all that's left is a smell like something died in it some 100+ years ago, you're probably allright.

With paper, the only reliable test is to have the structure of the paper itself and the ink investigated.

I have handled manuals and books dating as far back as 1857 and their common factor is always the mouldy smell. Paper should be a tad brittle if it's cheap printing paper. Old glossy paper ages much better and can look almost like new, even after 100 years.

Thanks for that.
I suppose I am being too concerned.
The book is exactly as shown on "The Land of Borchardt" web site.
It does smell old and there is rusting where the staples were.
Also, it has been in New Zealand for about 22 years that I know of.
There is a very limited market for such a book here, two or three at the most and I dont think it would be worth the time involved.
I think I was surprised at the condidtion, having never seen one before. The three fold out drawings and photographs are on glossy type paper which I did not know existed 100 years ago.
Regards
Murray.