Aberchrombie & Finch Lugers
 

Eric looking for a new conquest. First, why a luger with production of 100 only command a purchase price of $12-1500.? What accessories came with the original purchase, whether included or sold seperatly. Was there a holster. Its strange that lugers sold with double the quantity and simular rarety sell for double or triple the price? Is there an unspoken avoidance from such a beautiful piece

Mainly because they are easy to fake, and many are.

The obvious is usually the simplist!!

Fake Aberchrombie & Finch Lugers have been showing up a lot lately, if you really want one go slowly.
Some of these are pretty good while others are put together disasters.
The better ones have nearly perfect barrel inscriptions so don't use that as your only criteria.
Recently several of the better ones showed up out of the normal serial range, and I believe this was an attempt at establishing a new market for this gun.
It is sad, but the guns sold for large amounts of money, even though a through review was done.

Go by the book on these guns, and do a tip to tip comparison to a known example and avoid any that are not exactly correct.

"avoid any that are not exactly correct"

I know this is pretty critical and might cause some original guns to be excluded but the sad truth is they have been faked to death and it is dangerous for the average collector to purchase them.

Vern

Very Funny TAC! :D

God, you can't trust anything these days! What is the serial range?

Its seems all of them, reguadless of condition sell for $10k-$12k! Is this just a coincidence. And was there a holster made this brand??

Eric,

The A&F pistols accepted as authentic are Alphabet Commercials early in the i suffix range. I think the price range you note simply represents the acceptable value of an authentic gun.

Bender shows two different styles of holsters marketed by A&F for the Luger.

--Dwight

Tac-- very funny-- that will teach me to cut and paste :roflmao:



Eric
Here is a link that discussed some research done on A&F's you might find interesting.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...threadid=18381

Vern

Do either of the holsters in Bender look like this one?

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...hlight=holster

John

John,

That'll teach me to turn the page next time!

Bender actually illustrates five A&F holsters: two standard-length flap-types; one standard length hip-pocket type; one standard length open type; and one Navy-length flap type.

The open type is basically similar to yours, but it lacks the securing strap, barrel strap, and decorative edge; and the logo stamp on the back is different.

--Dwight

He wasn't kidding, it's Fitch. My Chicago office on Wabash Ave. in the late 50's was next door to them when they carried a vast selection of domestic and imported guns as well as sporting goods. I spent many a lunch-hour fondling old Mausers, Lugers, Mannlichers,English express dbl. guns, etc. Bought a few as well ! You may want to see Bender's book for additional information. They were known then as VL&A, later Abercrombie & Fitch Regards, Dick McEvoy

Thank You Vern and my other heros. I decided on buying a Full Complete Artillery rig instead, if I can find one.

Where can I found this 'Benders' book!

Eric,

Contacy George Anderson for the best in LP-08 rigs.

Tom A.

Thank Jerry gave me simular advice. TKS

Attached are some photographs of an A and F luger holter made by HH Heiser. The oval Heiser stamp indicates it is post 1925, may be correct for an A and F Luger but maybe not.

WOW, were all the holster made by one craftsman and the same design. One other question, Of the total hundred, approxmately hoy many still exist, simular to Rons' fantastic work in compililing the U.S. Test Luger chart contained in Jans' latest masterpiece, did someone like Dwight keep track?

Eric,

No one has been keeping specific track of these guns over the long term. There have been 21 reported in the Commercial database; two of them are outside of the proper serial range and indubitably fakes. The problem is, these guns are so easy to fake that there is no way to know (save personal, knowledgable hands-on examination) how of them are actually real.

Abercrombie and Fitch contracted their holsters from several different manufacturers. There are different designs, from open-top to flap-type to hip-pocket type.

--Dwight