Jan's message is, I believe, a gentle reminder that the buyer must always beware even if the seller is reputable. It is an unfortunate human trait that where money is involved - especially large sums of money - honesty and integrity too often go by the wayside.
My interest in Lugers goes back some 50 years although I didn't seriously consider collecting them until a few years ago. The constant changing of residence that's part and parcel of a military career didn't allow me to collect Lugers.
My first experience with a long-time, high profile and well-respected collector/dealer of Lugers left me with the unhappy conclusion that the only real protection a Luger collector has is their own knowledge and instincts. The Luger in question is an Erfurt and I was assured on the telephone that it was original and all-matching. A nice, 90% piece and great collectable.
Upon arrival, the incongruity of the glowing description and the reality was obvious. The side plate and locking bolt were both replacements. The Erfurt inspection stamps on the two parts are actually engravings of a crown! The breechblock had cold bluing on it and the extractor, while bearing a stamped matching number, wouldn't allow a cartridge to chamber! The finger at the rear of the extractor had never been fit to the pistol and had too much meat on the bottom. It wouldn't permit the hook to override the rim because it bottomed out. The remainder of the pistol is original.
While I was offered my money back, I decided to keep it for several reasons, not the least being a constant reminder that I need to always be vigilant for fakes and misrepresented pieces.
The collector/dealer in question continues to conduct business as before and I find this interesting because in most fields the word would have gotten around and the individual would be shunned. Personallity and reputation seem to have shielded the individual from questionable dealings. I choose not to be blind to dishonesty and will not do business with this person again.
The other thing that baffles me is why someone with the talent to fool even the experts would waste their time fabricating fakes. They could offer their expert services to restore Lugers that have otherwise lost their collector value. Maybe it's the thrill of having fooled the experts or maybe the money is so good it isn't worth it to go legit. Money does strange things to some people.
When two individuals such as described by Jan are lost to the Luger collecting community through the dishonesty of one person, it is tragic. How many more will become victims of that dealer before truth overcomes the reluctance to see what's really happening? We may be our own worse enemies.
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