Hi all,
We had a gun show this week-end in my area in Switzerland. About 6000 visitors during the 3 days. As most of the afficionados, I was there the first day "just to see". On saturday and sunday, it is often so crowdy that you can't approach most tables.
I was not very impressed (I don't mention thousands of SIGs, 1911s, Rugers, CZs, P38s, Radoms, Stars, Tokarevs and a lot of old crap): 1 NIB Walther P5 Compact (I have already a P5), another P5 NIB too at 1350 francs (1000 dollars), 2 High Power: one FN "T" model with some blemish on the slide for 1000 francs (!!!) and a Browning of 198? NIB for 1250 francs. Both negociable but I wasn't very interested. I spend some time by a seller specialised in antiques where I admired a NIB US Property 1911 of WWI era, some Mauser 96s, Lugers, long Lugers and a cased Browning 1900. I finally took in hand some Steyr Hahn 1912s: very nice, with prices between 1000 and 2000 francs, depending on markings - all in perfect shape. This guy also had genuine stock-holsters for Luger, Mauser and one complete set (10 round magazine and cleaning rod) for a Browning 1903 at 2500 francs.
Finally, I didn't cracked for the one of the Steyrs as I have received a 20000 francs bill for my house the day before (gasp!). But I did for a very nice FN 1903 that I found by a friend which allowes me to pay when I can. This pistol was correctly priced at 400 francs. It is 100 francs more than the Husqvarna 1907, which is much more frequent (about 100000 producted) and parkerized. The FN is blued and is more rare as half of the production (58000 total) went to Russia and Turkey. It is difficult to find a 98% exemplar as this one. I just hope that it isn't milled for stock as the 2500 francs set is not really in my budget!
Why a FN 1903? Because I like this blow-back army pistol of yesterday and because it was the first army pistol in 9 mm designed by Browning for FN. In this sense, this nice piece of old manufacture completes the HP and the 1911 in my small collection.
Bye.
L.
We had a gun show this week-end in my area in Switzerland. About 6000 visitors during the 3 days. As most of the afficionados, I was there the first day "just to see". On saturday and sunday, it is often so crowdy that you can't approach most tables.
I was not very impressed (I don't mention thousands of SIGs, 1911s, Rugers, CZs, P38s, Radoms, Stars, Tokarevs and a lot of old crap): 1 NIB Walther P5 Compact (I have already a P5), another P5 NIB too at 1350 francs (1000 dollars), 2 High Power: one FN "T" model with some blemish on the slide for 1000 francs (!!!) and a Browning of 198? NIB for 1250 francs. Both negociable but I wasn't very interested. I spend some time by a seller specialised in antiques where I admired a NIB US Property 1911 of WWI era, some Mauser 96s, Lugers, long Lugers and a cased Browning 1900. I finally took in hand some Steyr Hahn 1912s: very nice, with prices between 1000 and 2000 francs, depending on markings - all in perfect shape. This guy also had genuine stock-holsters for Luger, Mauser and one complete set (10 round magazine and cleaning rod) for a Browning 1903 at 2500 francs.
Finally, I didn't cracked for the one of the Steyrs as I have received a 20000 francs bill for my house the day before (gasp!). But I did for a very nice FN 1903 that I found by a friend which allowes me to pay when I can. This pistol was correctly priced at 400 francs. It is 100 francs more than the Husqvarna 1907, which is much more frequent (about 100000 producted) and parkerized. The FN is blued and is more rare as half of the production (58000 total) went to Russia and Turkey. It is difficult to find a 98% exemplar as this one. I just hope that it isn't milled for stock as the 2500 francs set is not really in my budget!
Why a FN 1903? Because I like this blow-back army pistol of yesterday and because it was the first army pistol in 9 mm designed by Browning for FN. In this sense, this nice piece of old manufacture completes the HP and the 1911 in my small collection.
Bye.
L.