Two days of a very large gun show...here's a recap :
Highlights :
1. Dinner with Ron Wood and George Anderson (both from the Fourm).
2. Getting to see Tom Heller again. And buying, from Tom, a nice little 1923 Swiss DWM commerical, reworked shooter with 8", non-artillery, 9mm barrel. (Hey Hugh Clark, get ready for another swiss border-grip job...!)
3. Getting to see a real nice 1902 4", .30 cal. Fat Barrel prototype (serial 10041 B) at Ralph Shattuck's table.
4. Getting to meet Mike Morris and being able to see a real 1904 DWM Navy; which was on consignment sale with Bob Simpson, but is now back with Mike Morris. Having Mike show me some photo albums of his great collection pieces...
5. Getting to see a detailed, simultaneous take-down of two historical, rare lugers; one righteous and one very doubtful. What a learning experience for this beginner !
6. Getting to see Jim Eckert's latest luger holster and pistol display; which is always a treat. Getting to chat with Jim for a few minutes during the show. Hope he wins a display award, again, as he did in April coming in at 2nd. place.
7. Getting to meet Charlie Kenyon in person and asking him when his new, 3rd. book will come out. Mr. Kenyon said soon; as he will retire soon and will devote more time to the project, which he reported as nearly done already...
8. Finding the nicest pair of very nitre-blue grip screws for only $ 5.00 for the pair...I spent 15 minutes digging through parts bins and the seller did not want to get up off his chair and just asked what I had in my hand, I told him 2 screws, and he said "five dollars please...". Deal done...
9. Finding a decent copy of Constanzo's WOL Proofmarks book; asking was at $ 250.00, bought late on Sunday for $ 180.00. Also found a nice copy of Ian V. Hogg's book, The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Firearms, for only $ 12.00
Lowlights :
1. Had to walk on the world's hardest concrete surface for more than 2 days. This concrete must be 6,000 psi grade and even your most "sensible", comfortable shoes don't help much.
Tips for others at Tulsa future shows : Wear soft, well cushioned, and well worn-in shoes and take lots of sit down breaks during the day.
2. Lots of well-done, refinshed lugers for sale as "original" finish pieces...this is really frightening !!!
3. Had no luck finding that "right" Dutch KOL luger. Looked over three; one was too pitted, one was too expensive, and one was nice at $ 1,700.00 but did not have a brass side plate...will keep hunting for now...
Off to soak my acing feet...
Regards,
Pete... <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />