MAX Show Report

[Navy]

All,

Did the MAX show in Monroeville PA again this year with my unindicted co-conspirator and your assistant Navy Luger forum moderator Derek.

It started off bad as upon arrival at the Radisson, I was told that my room had been cancelled. After straigytening that out, I lugged about 4 cubic feet of misc Luger holsters, pistols and arcane treasures of many sorts into the ExpoMart, only to find someone had decided to use my table after the show management said I apparently was a no-show. After disabusing all concerned of that notion, I started setting up and as is predictable at a MAX show, the "Dealer-Only" sessions are when the most action occurs.

Sold all but 3 pistols I had brought and about half the holsters, which bankrolled the acquisition of a beautiful 06 First Issue Unaltered, which I wrote about previously.

On the floor I saw lots of lugers and lots of boosted guns. One particular vendor had 3 '06 Navys and a 1920 carbine in his display. He appeared that he would pass out when I informed him very gently that all 4 pieces were re-blues and were done with salt blue! He said that he knew nothing about Lugers but had bought a large collection and these 4 were a part of it.

Likewise saw a completely re-done 08 carbine-restrawed and reblued and wood refinished. Asking price was $6100 but the guy said he would take $5K. The re-blue was done right over the old finish. No buffing or polishing, so it stood out like a sore thumb.I did get a solid lead on a documented authentic '04 Navy that I am initiating negotiations about.


I did score a couple of neat Imperial Uboat items to accompany my Uboat marked 06 as well as a KM Uboat combat clasp I will probably run on Ebay unless someone on the forum wants it.
Lots and lots of fake KM holsters.

It was extremely pleasant to see some old pals, Charlie Justman of Riverbend Sports, who now has about 12 of my holsters, Ralph and Nancy S., Mike Morris, Heinrich Lutsjen among others and a fellow forum lurker, Carl.

I am pretty sure I won't do MAX again, as the old saying goes, "So much pulling for so little wool."

Tom A.