P.08 - Honest Wear or Poor Storage?

[Alan Smith]

Another view of the museum gun

[Alan Smith]

View # 3 of museum gun

[Alan Smith]

Display at museum

[Johnny Peppers]

I had previously related the story of the Colt Transition that had all the appearances of a well used combat veteran, that actually got all it's wear in a holster under a truck seat. In the end, value is attached to the condition of the pistol and that is a constant. The Transition shown below was shipped from Colt on February 14, 1924. In it's 86 years it has been maintained in such a way that it retains over 99% of it's original Colt oven blue. Would it have more history or value if it were only 50% condition because some previous owner decided it would make a good shooter and truck gun?
I purchased the pistol approximately 30 years ago out of a Colonel's estate. It came in a private purchase calfskin Model 1912 style holster. The price 30 years ago? $600. It's value today is based solely on it's condition rather than any perceived history.
I certainly have no problem with collectors that prefer worn pistols, but do we know anyone that would turn down a good buy on a near mint collectible pistol because it was too good?

[Ronnie Fry]

Egad Johnny !!! CRISP!!

r

[Felix]

Regarding the wear and corrosion on the first Luger posted I would say that is the typical wear I expect from a gun thats been in holster for a long time. I say that the pitting and gently wear and rub off of blueing by friction is what you find on guns that has been in a holster for a long time and pulled out now and then. Combat use in war makes a gun to have a lot of scratches as well, and dings.

One should remember that hand guns have a limited combat value and mostly kept in their holsters where they belong. Until youre out of bullets, needs to interrogate a prisoner, maintain your respect infront of the enlisted men, combat inside a house etc...

I have its sister, a S/42 Luger 1938 with not as much wear, but very similar and on similar places. It still has its matching magazine with the typical wear pattern "round dot" from ammo.
This Luger was taken by a man in Norway during the later stage of the war and was kept in the holster for many years after the war. Kids were allowed to play with the holster until it was damaged and I never even saw it. Perhaps thrown away.

Cheers,
Felix

[pitts duncan]

stored in a wet holster would be my guess. not uncommon but probably done prior to vet aquiring it. lots of cold wet days in the war and not possible to get out of rain and maintain equip at times. esp towards the end of war. holster may have been wet at time of surrender and a few days passed before time could be spent cleaning it. i love it just as is. an honest , unmessed with example with provenance.