Costanzo's Book and luger markings

[tom]

Gentlemen,


Very simply stated, Mr Costanzo's book is a *monumental* work, but like all of mankind's works, it has flaws. I, personally, do not subscribe to the "Conspiracy" theory.


As a matter of fact, in my days in the service of our government, we used to have a maxim: "Never assume conspiracy if simple mistakes or ineptidude will suffice."


Simply stated, there has been a great deal of information that has become available to serious students since the fall of monolithic communism and the collapse of the "Evil Empire". That occurred some 12 years AFTER Mr. Costanzo published the results of a life time spent collecting data from the sources that were available.


Simple question: Are hypotheses made based on incomplete information equal to an attempt to deceieve? Obviosly, the answer is a resounding NO!


There are errors in the work, one can determine, based upon information that is now available that was not at the time of publication. So what?!?


Me thinks that what is really required is a *Second Edition* with addenda and errata pages. But guess what folks...this takes time and, oh my heavenly days, MONEY and lots of it, all at the risk of the researcher who is trying to publish their book. Anyone want to sign a pledge card?


Thats enough editorial; for what its worth, Derek Seltzer and I are talking about doing a book on Navy Lugers...something with a bit larger scope than Gortz/Walter's wonderful work on the '04. We wish to cover ALL Marinepistolen from the '04 thru the end of the III Reich period. We, if we are sufficiently foolhardy to attempt to accomplish this, will be looking to this forum for assistance in terms of serial numbers,markings and photographs.


Then, 20 years from now, you can gripe about us!


Tom Armstrong