Interesting Encounter...

[mrerick]

Thanks to all for your insights...

Ed, I am going to start taking a flashlight with me to shows. I've seen the sub-finish patina on my own original finish guns, which helps making the judgement...

John, that policy is exactly why I walked away. The people I have dealt with in the hobby have been straight forward and open.

I help staff a statewide gun rights organization's booth, so was at the show until late in the afternoon. Interestingly, 3 hours before the end of the show that person had packed up and left. Probably nothing sinister here, but it prevented my subsequent look at his wares.

Ron, I wasn't sure how a collector would interpret the re-crown modification, but assumed that it qualified the guns as messed with. I still can't imagine why someone would do it to Lugers in almost pristine condition. My guess was (and seems to be confirmed) that it was part of a rework - refinish - reblue that might have gone wrong in some way. It was also odd that the shape was left squared off instead of rounded.

As to an advanced collector... I think I've found the competent collectors right here...

Marc