The stolen Borchardt-Luger #5/Mike Krause

drbuster · 03-27-2004, 05:28 PM

There has been some discussion on this Forum recently regarding the stolen Borchardt-Luger #5 transition piece from the Bern Museum and its subsequent recovery and return to its home in Switzerland. Some controversial and/or unsubstantiated statements were made prompting this post. I have known Mike Krause for some time and have been authorized by him to make the following statements. Mike, for totally unrelated reasons, prefers not to post directly. The statements:
(1) Mike did NOT know the BL #5 was stolen at the time of his purchase (late 2002)
(2) Heinz Schlatter, son of Walter Schlatter (long time curator in the Bern Museum), contacted Mike regarding the availability of the B-L#5
(3) Mike had nothing to do with the fabrication of the replica of B-L#5 (which had the real #5 grips)
(4) The gun wasn't reported stolen until early or mid 2003. The Bern Museum closed in 1996, thus there was ample time to pilfer the original #5 and replace it with the replica #5
(5) Mike learned that the #5 was stolen some time in mid 2003
(6) When contacted by customs officials he freely gave up the piece. Customs agreed he was "conned", did not accuse him of anything, did not arrest or detain him and even expressed their willingness to help get his money back. Mike asserts that anyone accusing him of knowlingly buying stolen property, or doing anything nefariously in this matter on a public forum will be dealt with in a legal way (sued for libel). It is hoped that this matter of the stolen B-L#5 will thus end once and for all.

Edward Tinker · 03-27-2004, 05:33 PM

THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED AS READ ONLY AND IN RESPONSE TO DISCUSSIONS WITH MIKE KRAUSE ABOUT PREVIOUS POSTINGS

Ed Tinker
Moderator

03-27-2004, 05:28 PM	#1
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	The stolen Borchardt-Luger #5/Mike Krause There has been some discussion on this Forum recently regarding the stolen Borchardt-Luger #5 transition piece from the Bern Museum and its subsequent recovery and return to its home in Switzerland. Some controversial and/or unsubstantiated statements were made prompting this post. I have known Mike Krause for some time and have been authorized by him to make the following statements. Mike, for totally unrelated reasons, prefers not to post directly. The statements: (1) Mike did NOT know the BL #5 was stolen at the time of his purchase (late 2002) (2) Heinz Schlatter, son of Walter Schlatter (long time curator in the Bern Museum), contacted Mike regarding the availability of the B-L#5 (3) Mike had nothing to do with the fabrication of the replica of B-L#5 (which had the real #5 grips) (4) The gun wasn't reported stolen until early or mid 2003. The Bern Museum closed in 1996, thus there was ample time to pilfer the original #5 and replace it with the replica #5 (5) Mike learned that the #5 was stolen some time in mid 2003 (6) When contacted by customs officials he freely gave up the piece. Customs agreed he was "conned", did not accuse him of anything, did not arrest or detain him and even expressed their willingness to help get his money back. Mike asserts that anyone accusing him of knowlingly buying stolen property, or doing anything nefariously in this matter on a public forum will be dealt with in a legal way (sued for libel). It is hoped that this matter of the stolen B-L#5 will thus end once and for all.

03-27-2004, 05:33 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,927 Thanks: 2,026 Thanked 4,525 Times in 2,090 Posts	THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED AS READ ONLY AND IN RESPONSE TO DISCUSSIONS WITH MIKE KRAUSE ABOUT PREVIOUS POSTINGS Ed Tinker Moderator __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV