Thanks all for the quick and informative responses, as well as the warm welcome. Much appreciated!
It appears I didn't do too badly as I paid around $2500 for the package - about broke even; that's something. And who knows - maybe the value will go up over time. After all, they're not making many of these anymore (at least not this year
). I knew it was pretty and I've always wanted one, so I took the leap.
Consensus opinion settles it - this'll remain a vault queen to keep it collectible for future generations. (After all, we really are just temporary custodians for collectibles, right?) I'll pick up a cheaper shooter at some point to scratch that itch. Although now I'm starting to get a tickle for an artillery Luger... Dang my collectible fever.
I'll carefully break it down this weekend to verify the seller's assertion that it's truly
all parts matching. (And to clean and oil it to my satisfaction.) It's too bad there's no way to track the story of this particular pistol; I think it'd be fascinating.
Edward: Kenmore's about 20 miles NE of Seattle, just north of Kirkland on the northeast shore of Lk. Washington. I've been through Tri-Cities before, and while it's plenty hot and dry there in the summer, I was impressed at how nice it was too.
siegersallee: I once had a buddy we called "The Fixer" - he could find almost anything you put him onto. One time after I helped out a mutual friend, he proclaimed me "da new fixer." Funny what the mind can dredge up when its forced to come up with a unique login ID!
One more question: the holster's front finish is pretty dull. To me, it looks like it got wet at some point in its life. I can probably guess the answer to this, but is it kosher to shine it up? Or would that be akin to drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa?
Anyway, thank y'all again for the advice! It's reassuring to find another harbor in the internet that's not a rude wasteland.
-Kemp