Reno Gun Show Report...

[Pete Ebbink]

Hello Jim,

1. I picked up my 10x loupe at my local hobby shop. I also got a 20x unit, but I like the 10x much better. I think I paid $ 25.00 or so.

I also carried a small mag-light and a bore light, since the lighting at most gun shows reminds me of the lighting in Home Depot or Costco's (i.e. that metal halide "white" lighting that is normally used in outdoor parking lots).

I also carry a very nice, wide blade screw driver. If the Owner will not allow me to fully disassemble the luger or will not do it himself; I will not even consider buying it.

And finally, I had more than 10 luger books out in my truck; in case I needed a library reference.

2. Without naming names, I did see one fellow take a luger to Bill Christensen, Doug Smith, Ralph Shattuck, and maybe others. The owner was hoping to sell or trade the luger in question. The "verdicts" from these three, knowledgable dealers ranged from "100% original" to "total restoration" to "maybe the sideplates has had some re-blue". Please note the names of the dealers and the order of their comments are not related and I will not tell.

Just using this incident as an example of :

a. Same gun, totally different assessments from the "pros".

b. I suspect some dealers at shows "hope" to discourage a guy that brings in a luger to sell/trade so the owner will take a "low ball" offer for his piece. And then that gun can be re-sold at a bigger profit margin...

Just my opinion, of course !!!

Pete