Gun show surprise
 

It was a bit of a shock to have someone walk up to my table and ask if I want to see their Luger adn look down to see this:

Rather minty looking isn't it?!!! Everything looks brand new...certainly looks like it might be a restoration but perhaps it is not. It is a 1906, but what are the particulars? Any more photos?

The loading tool has the Mauser shape and the cleaning rod looks suspect. I would approach this boxed "set" with great caution.
Regards, Norm

look again!
 

Looks like a 45 Luger to me??...best to all, til...lat'r...GT:cheers:

John Martz luger in presentation box?

Good eye G.T.! I knew there was something about that trigger that was bugging me but I didn't think it through. My guess is a cased .45 Luger made by Mike Krause. He offered them as a cased set with extra magazines but man, they cost a ton of money! I wonder if the case is the work of Ken Coyle?

Looks like a Krause .45 to me too. Did you happen to catch the serial number?

GT got it, and Ron has the right of it. It is one of Mike's. The work on it is awesome. Not put together frames like John used but all newly made parts. Just like John's works though all the machine work shows dedicated TLC and master skill. John enjoyed challenging people to show him where the frame seam was on the .38 special and .45's he made. I could never find one (and my eyes were much better then).

Owner said he was disappointed in the firing though. It does not feed well and it appears the reason is that the magazine springs are just slightly too large for the mag frames and excess friction is caused, reducing the feed speed. They are quite strong (you gotta have that loading tool for more than two rounds) but evidently there isn't the needed balance.

No idea who made the case, didn't check for markings. All attention was on the gun.

In any case, when I looked down at that monster my heart skipped several beats. I was ooh and aweing it, afraid to even touch it when he took it out of the case and told me to check it out. I field stripped it and dry fired it (ya in a gun show that is a no-no but I figured it would be my only chance).

We agreed, though that the trigger design was more of a pain than anything. It does look (with only pictures for comparison) that this trigger is thicker at it's tip then the original which would contribute to an uncomfortable feel.

Now I need to talk him into taking me shooting.....

Gary

I did, John, and if youll PM me your snail mail address I'll send it to you.

Gary

PM Sent !!!

I have serial number 7, but no case or extra magazines. I bought the gun while I was still gainfully employed and could (barely) afford it. Today, it would be prohibitive.:)

I live not far from Krause's shop and saw one of these. I think he was selling them for $15,000 originally and he made 100?

Ron I do believe that this is the first time you have posted a photo of your Krause... am I mistaken?

Now that you are not full time employed, anytime you can escape the Honey-Do list, please feel free to grace us with a full photo essay on this amazing pistol!

thanks, -John :thumbup:

Curious, what's the difference between "full time employed" and "living on fixed income"? I cannot see any difference..... I am working, but my income is fixed. And, worse than retired, still have kids to raise before they can live on themselves.

Isn't it just an excuse?

It doesn't matter... I've been all!
 

It seems that in real life... no matter how you come by it, and no matter what your status.. Life and the world will beat you down to just a barely sustainable level living... Those of us with life experience, who will never reach any higher level, can only dream of wealth...And most of those with the wealth, who never flipped a stone, can only ponder on what they missed in acquiring it!!?? One seldom wins, no matter what their station... Life is still a celebration, and Lugers, big and small, are a part of the party! Best to all, til...lat'r...GT...:cheers:

Not sure what you mean by "excuse". Perhaps when your children are grown and gone and you are no longer employable (lose your job after age 60 and see how easy it is to get another one) you will notice a difference. "Full time employed" doesn't necessarily last forever. A fixed income is a heck of a lot better than no income but it does change priorites a bit. I am so very fortunate that I live a comfortable existance but I forego quite a few things that I would have done while I was employed. I love retirement, it gives me more time to spend with family, friends and the hobby I enjoy. I hope you get there someday too. :cheers:

Hopefully. SS claim age is raised to 67, looks like it's getting harder and harder in future. Currently, I don't worry too much about that, but there will be such a day, for sure.

If as I plan, on retirement , I can walk out my backdoor and plop down on my shooting bench and shoot across my own range, I'll FEEL rich :rolleyes:

Alvin;
To me the difference is potential. At Retirement age + 11 it is real hard to justify spending money from savings for most anything when I have no idea what the future holds (which was always true) and knowing that I don't have the potential to react and pull myself out. Body doesn't work as well, mind doesn't work as well and so many of my buddies (those I could turn to in a jam and get help) are either gone or helpless themselves. Kids? Really am too proud to burden them.

Excuse? Not even close. Cautious? Roger that, Fearful? Damn right.

Hope your experience is better and always will be.

Gary