I was at the the recent Ohio Gun Collectors Assn (OGCA) in Wilmington, Ohio and FGS had a nice military 1908 navy for sale. Unfortuately, he wanted $8400 for it.
So I walked off with my tail between my legs. I got two commercial 1908 navies at home and wanted that military navy. But I wanted my $8400 more. Maybe Doug will put this navy on his newly designed web site that he will be releasing soon. The gun looked good and hasn't been messed with (read that to mean that it hasn't even been restrawed. Thats a rarity in itself).
But all is well because I ended up buying a 1915 artillery holster with all the straps and the stock cup. (Sattlerinnung Eisleben) This holster also had 1916 ink stamped on the inside of the top cover. The holster looks in pretty good shape but the straps and the stock cup look a bit rough. I also got all the original screws and washers needed to screw everything to the stock. The stock that the guy had with it was repro and I didn't take it.
A little more walking around at the show also produced a 1917 artillery holster (G.Heinichen Dresden). This ones in pretty good shape and had an old looking cleaning rod with it. I'm real happy with this holster. The guy had a 1917 artillery with it, but I didn't want it. Maybe I should have asked to price on it anyway. But at the time, I thought that I have better ones at home. A very quick look at the gun didn't impress me. I guess that I was getting tired an I wanted to get home to see what Michigan State did in football. They won and I listened to the last quarter of the game on the way home. Bring on UofM!!!!
While strutting my stuff around the show, I came across another artillery holster but it was a repro. It also had a cleaning rod and a stock without its mounting iron. As I walked away the guy shouted at me "you can have it for $75!". Well, who am I to turn down an offer like that? The wood on the stock looked like period wood and was pretty beat up but I can't find an inspection mark on it. But what the heck, the price seemed right. It pays to be a handsome Luger collector with a great personality. You guys should try it sometime. Hee! Hee!
All in all, I would say that this was a productive show and afforded me a chance to test drive my newly acquired 2002 Winnago motorhome. I also met an extremely attractive and very nice lady at the McDonalds restraunt across the street. Unfortunately, she was married so we just talked. You can't win them all.
Big Norm