Actually kind of a hard one... My gut feeling is that to have the history of any one piece, I would want the one with honest wear. But, and collectors books always disagree, I would take a rare piece in bad condition. As an example, one of the American Test Lugerâ??s (7.65 / 9mm) that is rough shape, could very well have been one of those that was down in the Philippians and to me that would be ok. But a rare piece in bad shape won't go up in value as fast as a rare piece in good shape.
So the questions remains, even monetarily, is it smarter to buy a rare piece in bad shape or a honest piece in good shape.
Which has historically gone up in price percentage wise?
A 1906 American in 60% shape
or a Mauser 1940 in 90% shape?
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Edward Tinker
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Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers
Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV
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