Re: Level
Boy Johnny have you got it right. A year ago I bought a 1906 Swiss "Cross in Shield" from Doug Smith of FGS. His price was on the low side of the range for a good gun. But I fell in love with it. Emotion ruled. The strawing was beautiful and the bluing looked great. I knew that the Swiss know how to take care of their guns. Afterward I talked to Ralph Shattuck (he had looked at it before I got interested) and he mentioned that the front and rear straps showed a lot of wear. I took the gun outside in the daylight and sure enough, there was wear on the straps that looked inconsistant with the rest of the gun. To this day I am unhappy with the gun but I am still not sure. There is just no one available locally to look at this gun to evaluate this gun impartially. I showed the gun to Jerry Peters and he felt that the gun was OK. But we were both looking at it in less then good light. Jerry made me feel better, but I am still unsure.
The trouble with buying high end collector quality Lugers is that a knowlegable second opinion is not often readily available. And, regretably, all too often, emotion rules.
Right now, I and anguishing on a 1906 Russian that has been expertly restored (?). The price, while high in numbers, is good. I have passed on it, but I have lost a lot of sleep on it since it is still available. Big Norm
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