[keoki7]

Two years ago at Tulsa some hapless fellow approached my table with what appeared to be an East German P08. I told him I had no interest in it. He replied that no one else did either. I explained about the bullseye grips and he replied that he put them on the pistol as the left grip was broken I gave him $300 for it.

Upon later examination it turned out to be a 85% byf 42 with no import marks. I reached into my parts box for a pair of bakelite grips which I put on the gun. It sold that afternoon for $900.

So much for the rarity of black widows.

 

[keoki7]

Pancho and others, my position was that I had a byf Luger that needed grips. I could have put original walnut grips on the pistol or I could put original bakelite grips on the pistol. I chose the latter as a matter of marketing as one any of us.

My Luger box tells me that there are lots of walnut grips looking for pistols, there are damn few bakelite grips waiting for a "date".
So how rare and how often not original? The current demand will work to increase the numbers available.

On the same note, I sold two bakelite based mags at a recent gun show for $125 each. Two imperial navy mags at $180 didn't stir the least interest. The "bakes" went to a dealer.