Hi folks, been a long time collector (30 yrs +) have seen a lot, and learned a lot in that time, but also forgot a whole bunch. I remember the basics of proof marks etc, and FAKES.
I ( like every serious 3rd Reich collector) has been burned at one time or another I am sure, and I am not ashamed to say that that is how one learns in this hobby ( or obsessive behavior ) with that said, you never know what is gonna pop up, rare, common, nice, rusted, now being dug up in the Ukraine by who knows....
About 20 yrs ago I caught the bug when I ran across a political leaders PPK rig in a local ma and pa pawn shop, gave an amazing $175 for it and took many years of research to determine where everything fell into place , i.e. original , fake, part original , part fake ?? With time and careful research it became that the entire rig was 100% , got lucky on that one , but have learned on others.
The reason for my post is that I found what I consider to be a rare one ( or a complete fake) because of the lack of information that I can not seem to find. I have read about "green" guns, the phosphate process, high blue, navy guns, SS guns on and on and on... But any how help me out on this one, it might be so common that information is not needed, but that is why we are all here, I guess.
Ok here goes, just located today, a what I thought what looked to be a light "two tone" grey example, didn't think of grabbing the serial number ( but I will and post it ASAP), however i have a great description, really not too much to the description, as noted above it is a grey /green very nice what I belive to be phosphate, all matching, Mauser marked slide , typical late war rough mill marks ( the sight radius is very rough) and 100% phosphate along with a single phosphate mag, looks to have an original style unmarked with the exception of the inside rivet that has what looks to be the maker " star ) ?? med brown holster typical German small pistol holster. Only one proof mark on the gun that I could find, the serial number was stamped kinda crooked across the front bottom of the front strap, that matched the barrel, and on the lower left ( as you hold it) proof stamped lightly a CROWN over W ? E? ,,,,,,,,,no other typical wa or Nazi markings.....other than the noted serial number matching on the barrel. I do not know of any "civilian" examples, and this really looks to have a original two tone phosphate.
What did I find ? Am I missing something, I do know that the phosphate finish it has seems to match the "green" guns I have read about here in the threads.....
Maybe if someone could send me a clue , email reply is fine, constructive criticism is expected if necessary, but some real info if can be done without the serial at this point.
Let me pick the minds of the finest, as I am sure someone will have something on it...
Thank you, and I will be looking to see if I need to hit the secondary's to get back there and scoop it up