Hi Hermann, "Floating Crowns" are a descriptive term used by collectors to describe the Naval crown/M inspection marks on some early fake Navy Lugers. The crowns seem to float above the M's (second photo). A "Nested Crown" describes an inspection mark on a genuine gun where the crown seems to be sitting on the M (first photo). Unfortunately, since this distinction was discussed on the forums several years ago, most of the more recently faked Navies have nested crowns too.
As a collector whose first Navy Luger was also a fake (I now own 14 genuine ones!), I think I know how you feel. Use this as a learning experience, buy some reference books or read through the Archive section of the Navy Forum, right here on this website. I read every last post, it took many hours but I've found that it was time well spent!
Best regards, Norm
|