Bill, the note I sent the seller informing him of my decision did include a counter offer to keep it for a reduced sum, but I was looking to pay a premium for what was advertised as an "all matching" collectible piece. I've had eight or nine nice Lugers over the years, and all but one were all matching. Despite the increase in their values over the years, I'm not going to pay a full premium price for a mismatched pistol no matter how relative the values have become. I have lots of firearms, and the passion I have for Lugers in particular is dulled enough from experience, that I can be picky.
We'll see if the seller bites at my reduced offer or not. I'll post the results. They were closed today (Monday) so I'll probably hear from them in the A.M. (Hopefully).
-Chris