Another .45 Luger Question...

[Pete Ebbink]

Wonder if anyone can help :

Observation # 1 : In Lugers at Radom (C. Kenyon) on page # 111 is a nice photo of the .45 luger that belonged to Sid Aberman (serial # 2), at one time. If you hold a ruler flat against the surface of the rear frame and let it extend down to the grip, you can see that the vertical plane of the rear frame surface is just about even with the rear-most portion of the bottom, rear of the grip.

Please also note that the vertical length of the grip safety is somewhat "short" in its vertical dimension.

Observation # 2 : In Luger Tips, revised (M. Reese) on page 52; there is an old photo of another .45 luger. If you hold a ruler flat against the surface of the rear frame and let it extend down to the grip, you can see the vertical plane of the rear frame surface bisects the lower portion of the grip and that a good portion of the grip extends past this imaginary, vertical line. This seems to indicate the photo in the M. Reese book shows a different "model" of .45 luger than the .45 luger once owned by Sid Aberman (serial # 2).

Please also note in the M. Reese photo, the grip safety is much longer in its vertical dimension on this gun than on the Aberman gun.

Here are my questions :

1. Does anyone know what luger serial # was photographed in the photo shown in the M. Reese book ? Who took this photo, originally ?

As I understand, .45 luger (serial # 2) is with a new Owner, after Sid Aberman's death. Another .45 luger is in the Norton Gallery and may be serial # 5 (M. Reese does state he has seen both # 2 and # 5 in person).

2. Don't these two different photographs indicate that there might have been two (2) different models of .45 lugers made ?

Please forgive my ignorance and being a bit obtuse...any help and opinions would be appreciated !!! <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />