Hello Tom,
That fellow (with the initials "WC" or "BC") is still at each Reno show...with racks full of lugers that all look alike. Funny how lugers spanning over 80-90 years from many differenet manufacturers can all have that identical, "just out of the factory" finish...and he still swears they are all "factory original"...but does not say whose factory and when they came out...I usually just walk by his tables quickly...
There is usually a similar table with another fellow at Tulsa with "all black" lugers...as well...again spanning many years and makers...
But this lone piece...serial # 2208x...at Reno was elsewhere and its black finish did not look anything like the wares from the folks, above...
Here is the other detail about this piece # 2208x...it is a 1902 Swiss Fat Barrel in 9 mm... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> ...maybe be the 2nd. one reported...(the previous 1902 Swiss FB luger is # 22048 or 22049...)
And anticipating those comments about a "fabrication"...(which is a legitimate comment)...I, too, wondered :
If one was to fabricate a 1902 Swiss Fat Barrel (possibly the 2nd. one reported in existence), why do so in such a very black, polished finish that is so uncharacteristically early DWM...? Why draw attention to a gun that will be suspect, right off the bat, with a finish that draws even more attention and disbelief to itself...?
This one has me scratching my head...others at Reno had a chance to see this piece...as well...(I am hoping folks like Bob Hogan or Don Rousseau had a chance to see it...).
Regards,
Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />