Hi Alvin,
I agree with you that the sight on my guns shows some traces of wear, but I think the wear that is visible on the rear sight leaf is mainly the result of holster wear. It's the highest point on the gun and since it has been with a holster for some 90 years before it came into possession of a collector friend of mine (and later in my hands), like the blue on the side plate of a P08, this area will show the first signs of wear after being handled in combination with a holster relatively quickly. Similar wear is visible on the left side of the muzzle on an honest LP08.
Basically, an LP08 with a minty rear sight, no holster wear on the left side of the muzzle area, no holster wear on the side plate area and most importantly blued over inspector markings on the receiver, should raise some serious questions, as this all points to a reblue scenario.
With rigs like the one shown, there's always the question whether it was put together or not. But if you view the one on auction for it's individual components alone and take the possibility into account that gun/stock and holster/rig started their lives separated, it's still a pretty amazing period correct WW1 LP08 rig, with a nice screwdriver as a bonus
But after I checked the holster that came with my LP08 I was presently surprised to find the same maker and production year (1915) stamped on the same location on the inside of the holster flap. Also, the crown/S cartouche on my holster stock looks pretty similar to this one. So basically we have two LP08's, both from 1917, both from the 1000f - 2000f series, with similar details, similar inspector markings, similar holsters with similar maker's markings. It fuels my believe that this one is as right as rain (although one can discuss the '9' markings, and even the grips, as they look like later beech wood grips) and that there is a very, very good chance that LP08 and holster started out together. I certainly wouldn't let this one pass because of the grips, though.
As an extra for those who missed the other discussion, this is a detail photo of an inspector's stamp and the firing proof on a 1917 LP08. It clearly shows the inspector's stamp was applied after blueing, the halo that resulted and even some shallow rust in and around the stamp (which is only visible under magnification with an intense light source). The firing proof was stamped before blueing and blued over. Also note the sharpness of the edges of the inspector's stamp and the texture of the metal.
This is the side by side comparison of the sight leaves of the LP08 on auction and my 1917 LP08 (both are about 700 guns apart).
