I would like to "chime in" on the Big Reno show and the Luger Forum dinner and echo what Pete has said about the evening (by the way very nice to meet you Pete). I am a relative new comer to the group but everyone made me feel so welcome at the dinner I felt like I had known you guys for years--Thank You Very Much! Sat next to Ed Tinker on my right and Herb Keister on my left and Ralph Shattuck was at the end of the table on our end. Great food and wonderful Luger talk made this an evening to remember--I learned a lot. Many thanks to Russ Withem and Doc Fisher for the dinner--it wasn't cheap. It was just one of those days/evenings---gun show all day and dinner with fellow like minded individuals that night--it just doesn't get any better than that!
I was able to acquire three (3) wonderful Lugers that flew home with me. I recently sold a number of vintage collector military rifles and so I had some capital to redeploy.
Anyway, I bought a 1915 DWM Artillery from Ralph Shattuck. It is not a pristine example by any means(a lot of blue fading and some minor exterior barrel frosting) but the internals and bore are just in very nice condition. The is one of the reasons Ralph said he bought it because of the excellent mechanical and bore condition. Everything is tight and bright inside!
Second, I purchased a S/42 1937 rig from a dealer at a great price. The Luger is in very excellent condition with a pristine bore all matching but with a non matching magazine. The grips inside are not marked that I can tell but look like they have been with the gun from the beginning and fit perfect with no wiggle or looseness. The pistol, magazine and tool are all E/63 acceptance stamped. The holster is a brown 1937 dated Gustav Genschow with a WAa3.. (can't make out the rest of the numbers) and in very nice condition.
Finally, I found a 1915 dated DWM Luger in excellent conditon with outstanding straw and blue. All natching including grips but with a correct but mismatched wood bottom magazine. Bore is also in excellent conditon with no frosting or pitting and strong lands and grooves.
Also, had a very interesting non Luger Colt 1911A1 transitional encounter that confirms my belief that there are a lot of crooks out there so be extremely cautious.
Well, got to run but thanks again guys for the great company and an outstanding long to be remembered evening.
Lloyd in Vegas
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