A discouraging experience

Aaron · 10-08-2006, 02:50 PM

Yesterday at a gunshow in California I came upon a table displaying an artillery Luger tucked into a very poor quality repro holster, with a price tag of $3,000. I asked to see the pistol and found it to be completely cleansed of all markings (including the serial number) and it had an all over parkerized finish. The grips were poor fitting modern replacements and the mag was a cheap aftermarket. I asked him how he arrived at the price, and he said, "I don't know anything about Lugers, what do you think it's worth?" I said I thought it was just a shooter, possibly worth $500 to $600 or so. At that moment the loudspeaker announced that there were a lot of LEOs coming in to thoroughly scrutinize the show, some in plain clothes, and that dealers should be careful to follow all laws. I asked the seller if he was aware that his Luger did not bear a serial number, and he claimed he knew nothing about it. I suggested that he consider taking it off his table before it became confiscated or worse. He just shrugged his shoulders, smiled, turned his back and walked away, leaving his wife to man the table. A very discouraging experience. I guess he felt insulted over my advice.

Steinar · 10-08-2006, 03:37 PM

would give some serious jailtime over here..

Sad to hear about the arty..

lew1 · 10-08-2006, 03:41 PM

Sad to think that he would leave his wife there to receive any problems (if the lack of the serial number would found).

Karl · 10-08-2006, 08:45 PM

I would have been tempted to send the law in his direction. Although I fully support our right to gun ownership and generally oppose laws restricting that right, some of the nonsense that goes on at these gun shows is irresponsible at best. And the organizers of the shows take no responsibility for shady practices of vendors or who they rent booths to. At the shows here in Savannah they raffle off a gun at the door with your admission ticket: you fill out and sign raffle form. On the back of the raffle form is a disclaimer statement exempting the organizer from any legal proceedings. KFS

drbuster · 10-08-2006, 08:47 PM

Aaron, I wonder what California gun show this piece was presented at. The Crossroads of the West show was at the Cow Palace outside of SF two weeks ago but I didn't see this piece of illegal junk.

Aaron · 10-08-2006, 10:03 PM

It was in San Diego.

drbuster · 10-09-2006, 12:05 AM

I guess that's why I didn't see it at the Cow Palace

10-08-2006, 02:50 PM	#1
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	A discouraging experience Yesterday at a gunshow in California I came upon a table displaying an artillery Luger tucked into a very poor quality repro holster, with a price tag of $3,000. I asked to see the pistol and found it to be completely cleansed of all markings (including the serial number) and it had an all over parkerized finish. The grips were poor fitting modern replacements and the mag was a cheap aftermarket. I asked him how he arrived at the price, and he said, "I don't know anything about Lugers, what do you think it's worth?" I said I thought it was just a shooter, possibly worth $500 to $600 or so. At that moment the loudspeaker announced that there were a lot of LEOs coming in to thoroughly scrutinize the show, some in plain clothes, and that dealers should be careful to follow all laws. I asked the seller if he was aware that his Luger did not bear a serial number, and he claimed he knew nothing about it. I suggested that he consider taking it off his table before it became confiscated or worse. He just shrugged his shoulders, smiled, turned his back and walked away, leaving his wife to man the table. A very discouraging experience. I guess he felt insulted over my advice.

10-08-2006, 03:37 PM	#2
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	would give some serious jailtime over here.. Sad to hear about the arty.. __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

10-08-2006, 03:41 PM	#3
lew1 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 82 Thanked 204 Times in 112 Posts	Sad to think that he would leave his wife there to receive any problems (if the lack of the serial number would found). __________________ charlie

10-08-2006, 08:45 PM	#4
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 514 Thanks: 0 Thanked 239 Times in 111 Posts	I would have been tempted to send the law in his direction. Although I fully support our right to gun ownership and generally oppose laws restricting that right, some of the nonsense that goes on at these gun shows is irresponsible at best. And the organizers of the shows take no responsibility for shady practices of vendors or who they rent booths to. At the shows here in Savannah they raffle off a gun at the door with your admission ticket: you fill out and sign raffle form. On the back of the raffle form is a disclaimer statement exempting the organizer from any legal proceedings. KFS

10-08-2006, 08:47 PM	#5
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Aaron, I wonder what California gun show this piece was presented at. The Crossroads of the West show was at the Cow Palace outside of SF two weeks ago but I didn't see this piece of illegal junk.

10-08-2006, 10:03 PM	#6
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	It was in San Diego.

10-09-2006, 12:05 AM	#7
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	I guess that's why I didn't see it at the Cow Palace