Ciao!
I perfectly agree with Rylan ao both the points he made!
1 - as to the SS logo on grips, in fact I got the photos from previous owner of this P08. He sent this photo in reply to all enquiries from potential buyers, and he decided to partly blot out the SS insignia to avoid potential problems............
Over here, Italians seems to get over sensitive about showing of Nazi emblems , markings, etc., and there seems to be even a law forbidding using/wearing of Nazi/Fascist badges & markings in public.
Just an example to tell you as farcical the situation is:
My other hobby is modelling Military Vehichles (ie the usual Tamiya, Airfix Kits). Well , believe it or not , some kits are now supplied deprived of their Svastika decals (that means you then have to buy these as aftermarkets if you want to build an accurate model!!!!). Even the classic Afrikakorps Palm+Svastika insignia, has just become a Palm only in some kits!!! - Incidentally the same happens with Formula one model kits of of cars of the pre Tobacco-ban Era, sice model decals of tobacco products have also been banned just as the Nazi insignia!!!
I recently purchased a model of Emerson Fittipadi's JPS-Lotus 72, and had to get for all the JPS decals from an aftermarket supplier (crazy isn'it!!??)
2 - Back to the Luger World!!
I also agree that converting a 9 Para into a 9x21 definitely kills the historical weapon of the gun, but what else can we do?.
Here in Italy the 9 Para is forbidden (both Weapons AND Ammo!!), so anybody wishing to buy a 9mm Military WWI or WWII Luger only has to choices:
1 - to buy a pistol converted into a 7.65 para (which is legal) by sleeving of the barrel, like Idid with my first Luger ( a fully matching 1918 DWM - I will send pictures later to have an opinion from you Luger experts - I am just a green recruit!!)
2 - to buy a pistol "modified" , by deepening of the chamber, to accept the 9X21 ammo, like this one!
no other options available at the moment, and by the way: we are only allowed to possess 3 pistols legally in Italy - unless you get a special collectors licence....but that is a different story!
I look forward to your comments.
This Forum is really the best info a Luger enthusiast can hope for!!!!
Ciao!
Marco
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