#'d GAB's 25 & 50- Vaulted?

[normh511727]

Hello experts. Please inform me if numbered (25 & 50) GAB"s were ever made by RK in a concave or vaulted style or are any like this always repro's? Thankyou, Norm

[stewy]

Hi there,i've never seen a concave one only flat. Stewy

[normh511727]

Stewy, Have you seen repro's that were very high quality and concave? Norm

[stewy]

Stewy, Have you seen repro's that were very high quality and concave? Norm

No i don't think so,definately not in hand. Stewy

[Hank]

Concave GAB's 25 and 50

There are some latvian fakes that are concaved, the pin and catch try to come close but no cigar.

[normh511727]

Hank, Thanks very much. Your answer made the whole mystery make sense! My partner and I have a shop at an indoor flea market here in Fl. and we have people coming by all the time with stuff for sale. We were offered what looked like a well made pair of GAB's (25 and 50) for a VERY reasonable price but they were concave or vaulted and yes the hinge assembly looked different and the catch didn't have the little volcano around it. We tried everything to research but didn't see anything about them pro or con. We were however told they were purchased a few years ago from a LATVIAN dealer! Wow, are those things made well! The ONLY way to tell is as you point out the way the hinge and catch are attached in back (other than being concave). Exact correct weight, measurements right down to the number box, great looking rivets, etc. Thank God they made them concave or we probably would have taken them figuring the small descrepancy on the back was some variation or something. Again, THANKS, Norm

[Hank]

Norm they also had some out there that were unmarked and aged. The concave appearance was unique, but once you took a look at the reverse it was all over.

Where in florida do you have your shop ?

[normh511727]

Hank, We have a small shop at the "49er Flea Market" in Pinellas Park. It's right off Rt.19 on 49th st. close to Clearwater where I live and also right on the border of Largo where my partner lives. If your not familiar with any of those places it's about 15 minutes from downtown Tampa (West). And yes those things are indeed aged, even the supposed RK ones. We get alot of walkins on Sun.'s and we do well cause lots of vets and now even vets' kids are retired down here. Sometimes it's an estate situation and sometimes even the vet or vets kid will come in with stuff, even the widows sometimes. We give them a fair price and word gets around. And of course we advertise. We also however get our fair share of ripoff artists and just plain ignorant folks too as in this case! We USUALLY can spot the garbage but these babies are well made! When we are stuck we will get the phone #, take a pic or 2 if possible and ask you guys before we buy. Again, Thanks, Norm

[Hank]

I will be coming your way in a few months....I'll stop by.....Hank

[normh511727]

Hank, Great, look forward to seeing you. Make sure you come by on a SUNDAY as it's only day we are there! We are located INDOORS at #K-2 and we are there from around 7AM till around 2PM. We do the internet sites (e-bay, Ioffer, germanmilitaria.com, manions list yourself) as well, and have a case at a local antique mall. You're smart to wait a couple months as it's been super hot the last 3 or 4 weeks and will stay that way another 8 or so! Once you find the indoor section you can't miss us as we are the only militaria shop inside. We call ourselves "Nick & Norm's Militaria". Obviously my partner's name is Nick, but the sign just says "Militaria" See ya in a couple months, Norm