Unusual Mark On Cartridge Counter
 

While grazing Bobs' site, I noticed a cartridge Counter with an unusual proof. I wrote Bob he claims its either a proof or inspectors mark on the mag and assured it to be legit 'Interesting". Any guess! http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...ducts_id=52623 PS I don;t know why he is throwing in a 1900 US Test Holster when he has 3 test lugers for sale!

Bob isn't throwing it in. It is a consignment piece so the seller is throwing it in.

P.S. The "W" isn't a proof, it is an inspector's mark (magazines aren't proofed). I haven't seen any other CC magazines so marked, but who knows?
Ron

Eric,
thanks for posting.
At $45k, nobody is throwing nothing "in"! JMHO.

I wondered why Bob is pairing the wrong holster and gun? It would be interesting what he would price them separately~ Thank You Both!

I wondered is the mag started out as a Swiss and added a Powell device?

The Powell Device~ http://www.historicalfirearms.info/p...he-us-army-was

It is possible, but in addition to the slot and indicator you have to modify the follower and the spine of the magazine at the top. It is difficult to do it right and most attempts so far have not been done well.

Ron, do you know why only 50 were made. I would thing they would be a commercial unique success~

There were only 50 made because that is all the contract called for. Although it looks snazzy, the cartridge counter grip is rather fragile, the number strip tends to fade and discolor, plus the isinglass/celluloid window is easily broken or turns yellow. Not a recipe for commercial success. On the other hand, the limited production and link to US history makes it a collector success!:)

If a cartridge counter luger were to be made today, a more practical approach would be to cut the viewing slot in the right, vise left, grip and use the mag follower button of a standard PO8 mag as the counter. I recently saw a set of standard PO8 grips so modified in the For Sale section. TH

That fragility of the cut out grip makes sense. The forces of shooting, with a firm hold on the grips, are brought to bear on the thin, raised areas on the inside, fronts of the panels, to repeatedly shove them against the frame. It is logical that a grip that leaves only a thin strip of wood in front of the cutout would be vulnerable.

Were they all shipped to Bannermans for sale either through catalog or in store in NYC?

To get it right~