Russian On Auction...(?)

[Big Norm]

I have to agree with Ron 100% on this one. I had many chances to pick up a restored Russian Luger at around this price but I always backed off because of restoration and counterfeiting. Its just too much money to put out for what could (?) be a fake. On this particular gun I looked closely at the barrel lock. It looks restrawed. Rounded flat area and no champered edges. I have often mentioned on this forum that one of the first things that I look at on a restored gun is the barrel lock. The barrel lock is a difficult part to restraw. There are just too many angles and too small a part for an amateur to do right without screwing up. A real pro knows how to do it right. On this gun, the restorer appears to have screwed up. Of course I will stick the caveat here that the picture is not real good on the barrel lock. And of course, the barrel lock is not the only thing I look at when I see a gun that is "too perfect". Personally, I passed on this gun. Too much money involved to take a chance. Don't get me wrong, If the gun in question has been done by a real professional artist, then I believe the gun is worth looking at. A professional will go out of his way to remove as little metal as possible to bring any gun to "new in box" condition. But it takes an artist. Any yahoo can reblue and restraw a luger and make it look pretty. Just my two cents.
Big Norm