Joe Wotka

I am reluctant to add to this line of thought. I have been collecting for thirty-one years or so. I have been a member of NAPCA for most of that time and have contributed for publication, comments and results of research at my personal expense. I own an original hand signed copy of the 1977 publication of World of Lugers. Even though I was not listed as a contributor, I assisted Jim Cate in the compilation of the Police Luger serial numbers from my records. I also own a copy of John Walter's book on Lugers. My copy of his book is soiled and worn from use. The World of Lugers is as new. In 1977, both author's had the same information available to them and produced entirely different works. World of Lugers serves as a decent listing of police Luger serial numbers and an odd listing of drawings of markings found on Lugers. I found the information therein to be hearsay and unsubstantiated, in spite of the listing of many institutions and archives in the acknowledgement section. There is not found in that book one footnote substantiating any piece of information. To wit: S.D. grip strap markings indicate the property of the Sicherheitdienst (SD) of the SS. In earlier issues of AutoMag, the journal of the NAPCA, these markings were demonstrated to be the markings of German police and could not be the property markings of the SD. The author of World of Lugers chose to ignore the information published in Auto Mag. There are other smaller bits and pieces of folklore salted in with serial listings of value to collectors. I personally found it odd there were no photographs or an idex to cross-reference the various sections of his book. Walter's book is replete with resources and footnotes. Some may be subject to different interpretations, but they were included. That is why my copy of World of Lugers has sat unused for 24 years.