BRAD BUMSTED

I AM TRYING TO ID A LUGER THAT MY DAD TOOK OFF OF A SURRENEDERED GERMAN OFFICER IN WORLD WAR II. IT HAS A SHORT BARREL 3-4 INCHES. THE SERIAL NO. 2153. IT APPEARS TO SAY MADE IN FRANKFURT ON THE GUN "fnkfurt". THERE IS A HOLSTER WITH IT, IN GOOD CONDITION, MARKED 1936 -- THOUGH I REALIZE THAT COULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THE LUGER, IT HAS A STRAP TO PULL UP THE GUN OUT OF THE HOLSTER AND A LITTLE TOOL.

IT HAS WOOD GRIPS.

HERE'S THE MYSTERY.

IT IS CHROME-PLATED.

I'VE BEEN TOLD GERMAN SOLDIERS DID NOT REPLATE THEM IN CHROME-- AGAINST REGULATIONS. RATHER, GI'S, TAKING THEM BACK TO THE STATES, HAD THEM REPLATED OVERSEAS.

THE INTERESTING THING IS THAT MY DAD SAYS THIS IS EXACTLY HOW THE GUN WAS THAT HE TOOK FROM THE OFFICER. HE DID NOT HAVE IT REPLATED.

WERE THERE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE FOR CERTAIN RANKS,PERHAPS?

IT IS POSSIBLE OF COURSE, THAT THE GERMAN HAD PICKED UP A GUN FROM A DEAD AMERICAN GI OR PRISONER, EARLIER.

ANY THOUGHTS ON IDENTIFYING THE GUN, ITS POTENTIAL VALUE, AND THE MYSTERY WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.