Re: Fakes and Newbie's
I don't think that what the original discussion was concerned about was legit restoration, grips recheckering or the making of nice display cases. I think what billm is concerned about is the changing of serial numbers, altering a common military Luger to a Kreighoff or an expensive navy Luger, adding unit marks and so forth. And I agree 150% with him and the negative effect that this will have on collecting. I have no problem with Thors restoration or holsterrepairs repairing old original holsters or Hughs recheckering. But I do have a problem with the deliberate altering of a Luger to misrepresent it for profit. I think that the restoring to original condition by a talanted, professional restorer of a Luger that is destined for the scrap heap is not such a bad thing. Current law only applies if the serial number on the frame of the Luger has been altered. It is up to people like NAPCA and people on this forum to expose these fakers.
A while back, I disclosed that I had found a chamber dated 1914 Artillery Luger whose serial number was not in the serial number range that is in the books. I was surprised how much heck I caught on this forum for what I considered a noble intent. The heck was not confined to just the forum. Simpson also joined in and instead of condeming the gun, he was very interested in finding the person who had the gun. To be honest, I was down hearted at the response that I had received.
On the other hand, I was very happy to see the response by people of this forum to a seller on Ebay of a navy Lugers rear toggle. This seller was recommending the very thing I despise in counterfeitors. I think that this is what billm is really talking about. Good going BillM.
Big Norm
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