In addition to my post above, I would like to take this opportunity to give Eric some 'education' regarding his US Test Luger. As much as he tries to boost about his Luger being 'legit' and coming from the personal collection of Ralph, he will have to settle with the opinions that it is unfortunately a very good restoration. To the best of my knowledge, there is no GENUINE US Test Luger known to exist in 98%+ original condition with no wear or fading on the grip straps; hardly no existence of patina; minute wear on the high edges of the sideplate; and the grip screws showing no wear or discoloration of the fire blue as if the pistol has never been held or fired. If such a fabulous US Test Luger exists, it surely would not be in the hands of an amateur collector who has suffered a brain stroke and who bought such a Luger in the past year. Furthermore, if this Luger was to given the benefit of the doubt regarding its authenticity, Ralph would have not sold it for a bargain price of $6,000, even if he was doing Eric a favour! If Ralph sold this US Test Luger from his personal collection as Eric claims, the actual US Test Luger in Ralph's collection must be stone mint! Apparently, Eric is trying to make excuses on this Forum to justify that his US Test Luger is genuine, but sadly he is urinating against the wind. If he was offered $12k for his Luger and holster, he should have dumped it in a heart beat.
His US Test holster is also questionable, and there are a few signs on it which make it suspicious. He should learn that if he decides to spend $3k for a US Test holster (which is expensive for a piece of leather), it should be 100% genuine and the holster should talk for itself with no mouth behind it. If a few experts cannot give it a clear 'thumbs-up' based on their gut-feeling, it is probably wrong.
We all know that the truth can sometimes hurt while some collectors become victims of unscrupulous individuals.
Albert
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