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RockinWR · 01-23-2003, 02:22 AM

Hi again,
(1) Shucky darn.

I even planned to throw in the AKAI instruction manual!! Guess lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place. Just have to up the ante with a few vintage reels of the Bee Gees, 3 Dog Night, Eagles, and Cass with the Momma & Poppas. Saving the Beatles tape 'cause it has the White Album recorded straight from the new 33.3 plater.
(9) Guess the rays from the scanner made the E/M lighten-up where it seemed highlighted. Thanks for the close-up.
(14) You are correct "vibro-etched". As you know, this was not done by the factory. To tidy up another loose end: the "12 42 kam st+" round is a painted steel case(st) made to the improved drawing yielding a stronger case(+) and produced in the 12th Lot of 1942 by Hugo Schneider AG (HASAG), Eisen-und Metalwerke, Gmbh; Skarzusko-Kamienna, Poland(kam).

* Been working on "All Matching-All correct". It surely is "righteous" for all major attributes.
- All parts, even the grip screws, should display one of the "S" marks. This less small pins/springs.
- When you field stripped this yesterday, was the toggle to receiver pin numbered "43". I think your answer was yes.
- The grip panels should also be "43" numbered with a proof mark, and (I'm guessing) a form of the "S" inside. If the grips haven't been off recently, care must be exercised in their removal as the wood can crack if tightly mated or stuck to the frame. Most times it is best to start with the right grip using a correctly sized screwdriver so as to not mar the screw slot. Once removed, one can view the inside of the left grip for markings/numbers with a good light. Of course the mag must be removed. This approach will avoid the classic broken "chip" out of the left grip from around the bottom of the safety lever.
* As to condition: Trust you've seen the other thread on the Army "K" date on auctionarms
- Your blue/straw ratings appear reasonable; maybe a tad conservative. Subjective assessment at best, scans really can't do the pistole justice as the lighting can portray a false appearance..
- Double that for original finish. Looks right, everything to date has been right. Probably is right given your knowledge of its history. But, I have difficulty gauging this unless I'm holding it in good, full spectrum (sun) light. Maybe some of the other forum pro's would care to comment. Honestly, I'd have to be convinced this isn't the real deal.

* Value: Lonnie said it best - <blockquote>quote:<hr />A GREAT find of a rare and desireable pistol. Worth BIG bucks!!!<hr /></blockquote>That's Big as in BIGGGG Bucks. To be upfront, I don't know what it is worth. With only 18 known, there is not a generous track record of recorded sales. A standard Army "K", in all but the worst condition, is a highly sought after variation. A moldy oldie # - Jan Still's 1988 price guide lists $3k-$5k for VG to Exc.+ condition for this variation only. As another plot point: The latest Blue Book states an Army "K" is $3800 in 95% and $2500 in 90% original condition. Then double that for a Navy with the E/M(3). Throw in a correct standard 1939 holster (in unknown condition) @ $200 +/- $75 & a extra/etched fxo mag @ $90 =/- $15 and one concludes $5200 to $7980. Some will say the book is all wet. They might be right as it is based on nearly 1 year old estimates on a rarely traffic'ed item. I say this is an expensive spread for a few % condition. Too easy to make a costly mistake. So, I'd recommend you have this appraised by a couple of knowledgeable/neutral Luger experts who can study this "find" up close and personal. That assumes you can find anybody neutral. I think most all would love to have this example in their collection.
* Congratulations & Thanks for sharing!!
Respectfully, <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />
WR

01-23-2003, 02:22 AM	#12
RockinWR User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: D/FW, Tx Posts: 279 Thanks: 109 Thanked 31 Times in 16 Posts	Hi again, (1) Shucky darn. I even planned to throw in the AKAI instruction manual!! Guess lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place. Just have to up the ante with a few vintage reels of the Bee Gees, 3 Dog Night, Eagles, and Cass with the Momma & Poppas. Saving the Beatles tape 'cause it has the White Album recorded straight from the new 33.3 plater. (9) Guess the rays from the scanner made the E/M lighten-up where it seemed highlighted. Thanks for the close-up. (14) You are correct "vibro-etched". As you know, this was not done by the factory. To tidy up another loose end: the "12 42 kam st+" round is a painted steel case(st) made to the improved drawing yielding a stronger case(+) and produced in the 12th Lot of 1942 by Hugo Schneider AG (HASAG), Eisen-und Metalwerke, Gmbh; Skarzusko-Kamienna, Poland(kam). * Been working on "All Matching-All correct". It surely is "righteous" for all major attributes. - All parts, even the grip screws, should display one of the "S" marks. This less small pins/springs. - When you field stripped this yesterday, was the toggle to receiver pin numbered "43". I think your answer was yes. - The grip panels should also be "43" numbered with a proof mark, and (I'm guessing) a form of the "S" inside. If the grips haven't been off recently, care must be exercised in their removal as the wood can crack if tightly mated or stuck to the frame. Most times it is best to start with the right grip using a correctly sized screwdriver so as to not mar the screw slot. Once removed, one can view the inside of the left grip for markings/numbers with a good light. Of course the mag must be removed. This approach will avoid the classic broken "chip" out of the left grip from around the bottom of the safety lever. * As to condition: Trust you've seen the other thread on the Army "K" date on auctionarms - Your blue/straw ratings appear reasonable; maybe a tad conservative. Subjective assessment at best, scans really can't do the pistole justice as the lighting can portray a false appearance.. - Double that for original finish. Looks right, everything to date has been right. Probably is right given your knowledge of its history. But, I have difficulty gauging this unless I'm holding it in good, full spectrum (sun) light. Maybe some of the other forum pro's would care to comment. Honestly, I'd have to be convinced this isn't the real deal. * Value: Lonnie said it best - </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">A GREAT find of a rare and desireable pistol. Worth BIG bucks!!!</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">That's Big as in BIGGGG Bucks. To be upfront, I don't know what it is worth. With only 18 known, there is not a generous track record of recorded sales. A standard Army "K", in all but the worst condition, is a highly sought after variation. A moldy oldie # - Jan Still's 1988 price guide lists $3k-$5k for VG to Exc.+ condition for this variation only. As another plot point: The latest Blue Book states an Army "K" is $3800 in 95% and $2500 in 90% original condition. Then double that for a Navy with the E/M(3). Throw in a correct standard 1939 holster (in unknown condition) @ $200 +/- $75 & a extra/etched fxo mag @ $90 =/- $15 and one concludes $5200 to $7980. Some will say the book is all wet. They might be right as it is based on nearly 1 year old estimates on a rarely traffic'ed item. I say this is an expensive spread for a few % condition. Too easy to make a costly mistake. So, I'd recommend you have this appraised by a couple of knowledgeable/neutral Luger experts who can study this "find" up close and personal. That assumes you can find anybody neutral. I think most all would love to have this example in their collection. * Congratulations & Thanks for sharing!! Respectfully, <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" /> WR