Wow...!!!

lfid · 09-07-2007, 01:14 AM

This one was interesting

it looked VERY close to being a factory quality job
I was surprised at the crispness of the markings
only the FBM proofs looked over polished

but - some detail looked like post factory job

and - as in Pete's recent shared pdf , some clues were there

some rear toggle recoil lug ear marks on frame , marks looked plated over and looked like maybe 200 rounds or so thru the gun

small dent mark on front strap , also plated over

grips looked worn , as if used as a shooter

very odd part of story was the rear toggle to slide pin that was apparently hammered into the slide , pin exit side flange was about 50% shattered away , and small side of pin looked friction pounded into the slide
so my guess is the gold plate increased the pin diameter and someone got impatient

no wear / discoloration on the breech face from firiing , so fired before the plating

magazine scratches from usage plated over

so overall was likely a superb gold plate over standard shooter

Cabellas was very cooperative in the inspection process , the Buda TX store library is good place to look at stuff

I think it could be purchased for less than $1K

but really accurate superb pictures , it is all gold plated , inside and out , probably a good goldfinger girl gun if you want to make her happy !

Bill

09-07-2007, 01:14 AM	#15
lfid Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wichita, KS USA Posts: 453 Thanks: 573 Thanked 96 Times in 53 Posts	This one was interesting it looked VERY close to being a factory quality job I was surprised at the crispness of the markings only the FBM proofs looked over polished but - some detail looked like post factory job and - as in Pete's recent shared pdf , some clues were there some rear toggle recoil lug ear marks on frame , marks looked plated over and looked like maybe 200 rounds or so thru the gun small dent mark on front strap , also plated over grips looked worn , as if used as a shooter very odd part of story was the rear toggle to slide pin that was apparently hammered into the slide , pin exit side flange was about 50% shattered away , and small side of pin looked friction pounded into the slide so my guess is the gold plate increased the pin diameter and someone got impatient no wear / discoloration on the breech face from firiing , so fired before the plating magazine scratches from usage plated over so overall was likely a superb gold plate over standard shooter Cabellas was very cooperative in the inspection process , the Buda TX store library is good place to look at stuff I think it could be purchased for less than $1K but really accurate superb pictures , it is all gold plated , inside and out , probably a good goldfinger girl gun if you want to make her happy ! Bill