Looking for Luger, bought Broomhandle

alex · 10-22-2002, 02:01 PM

Lonnie, thank you for your comments. The consensus on the Broomhandle sites I looked at make mention of poor bore condition in general, especially on recent imports. I don't think mine is mint, just in nice shape with no pitting, strong rifling and smooth/shiny finish. As a sidenote I notice the use of percentages to describe condition i.e. 98% bluing. Is there some exact standard or formula? Or is this just a descriptive technique that has replaced the NRA rating system? How would you differentiate between 96% and 98%? From what I have seen NRA "Very Good" covers a wide range (depending on the site) and verges on having no meaning anymore.
I also am suspect of the decription "mint". It has been 60 to 100 years since Lugers et al were produced. Even minor handling, exposure to humidity/oxidation and poor storage during all those years would make a mint specimen rare to non-existent. I presume there are mint specimens that have come from manufacturers collections though.
Anyway, just food for thought/discussion.

Regards, Alex

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10-22-2002, 02:01 PM	#1
alex User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lonnie, thank you for your comments. The consensus on the Broomhandle sites I looked at make mention of poor bore condition in general, especially on recent imports. I don't think mine is mint, just in nice shape with no pitting, strong rifling and smooth/shiny finish. As a sidenote I notice the use of percentages to describe condition i.e. 98% bluing. Is there some exact standard or formula? Or is this just a descriptive technique that has replaced the NRA rating system? How would you differentiate between 96% and 98%? From what I have seen NRA "Very Good" covers a wide range (depending on the site) and verges on having no meaning anymore. I also am suspect of the decription "mint". It has been 60 to 100 years since Lugers et al were produced. Even minor handling, exposure to humidity/oxidation and poor storage during all those years would make a mint specimen rare to non-existent. I presume there are mint specimens that have come from manufacturers collections though. Anyway, just food for thought/discussion. Regards, Alex