Cabela's Dundee, MI
 

Had a chance for a quick side-trip on my way to the Detroit airport and swung by the Cabela's store in Dundee. MI.

This was my first stop at a Cabelas (not too PC in Califorina where we pretend we do not kill animals and fish for food...) and all I can say is WOW !!!

Sort of like a Wal-Mart superstore for the outdoorsman...and gal...they even have waterfalls, creeks with live fish, running through the store. And everywhere you walked, taxidermy specimens seemed to follow me...

Did have time to see two (2) lugers in their Gun Library Room :

* A 1915 DWM LP-08, with a price of $ 2150.

* A 1906 DWM-Swiss cross/shield, with a price of $ 2450.

Both looked refinished, too black...probably done by the same refinisher. Both had carefully placed wear patterns placed along the edges of the barrel band at the muzzle, side rails, etc...

Similar to the "way-too-black" guns on the tables of a typical Reno Gun show vendor (aka BC) or on the tables of a typical Tulsa gun show vendor (aka FF)...

I did ask the gun room clerk if he thought the pieces were original finish. He indicated he thought so...

The 1915 Arty had an odd looking LP-08 barrel (my guess a repro) and it was absent the adjustable front and rear sights...both being the fixed variety. I might be wrong...but I would sort of expect both adjustable sights on a 1915...??? No "halos" present on the barrel markings along the underside either (was exposed to view...).

The Swiss M1906 was not worth picking up, as it looked it just came out of the refinish tank a month or so, ago. It had an original Swiss leather pull tab attached to the rear frame staple...that looked like it was removed (probably during the rework) and then carefully sewn back in place with newer-looking stitching...

I left both under the glass display case...

Anyways...if any LF members are near Dundee, MI...you might want to take a look and see for yourselves...

Regards,

Pete...:typing:

Pete,
You are absolutely right about the Cabellas in Dundee. It is labeled as Michigans most popular tourist attraction. Some real good deer hunting land is now being developed in and around Dundee thanks to Cabellas success. But I often go there and try to wrestle with those two huge (two story high) fighting grizzlies on the front lawn. It sounds like you may have missed the large aquarium to the left of the front door entrance. If you look at the stock symbol "CAB" you will notice that they might be planning on building one store in each state. Because of the gun thingy, they might skip Caliphonia. I think that they are building a store in Reno. Now that they are a public traded stock, they are planning on building a number of stores.
They will frequently have a Luger or two in their show case. But I have yet to see a Luger that hasn't been at least touched up. The store seems to go more for pretty than original. The Lugers are usually pretty expensive too.
But for anyone visiting Michigan, its definately something to see. There are mounts of just about everything. Live trout streams and ponds. A 3-4 story indoor mountain with all sorts of full mounts of all sorts of animals. Almost a zoo.
Big Norm

Hey Norm,

I did walk though their aquarium...more like walking around the bottom of a lake or mountain stream...very impressive.

Regards,

Pete...:typing:

When I was in Detroit this past summer, Norm told me about the store. It was great ! We went there twice.

If there were anything like this in Florida they would charge admission.

Thanks Norm.
Jim

There is a brand new Cabella's in Wheeling West VIrginia, or just east of ther at the "Cabella's" exit. Very much the same as above, right down to the reblued Lugers. ALso a broomhandle that looked touched up for new price, and some really nice new modern long guns.