UBB.threads Forums General Interest Community Center Where is Houston been???

If a vet swapped a blade, handle ,or scabbard in the field when he picked the piece up does that make it original ?????

Ed, It might be original as to the veteran who assembled such a combination. But it is not a factory original any more than the guy who chrome plates the German Luger pistol that he picked up.

And if we completely omit any of the statements made anywhere, and for the moment take them out of the equation. We still have a date and time stamped Internet record of an SS dagger presented for discussion on 10 - 3 - 2010. With on 4 - 2 - 2011, the exact same dagger reappearing with swapped out parts and a re-polished blade. FP

I did mean that as a pun thus the smiley face.I remember looking at a vet trophy a Luft with an Army scabbard

Ed, Smiley face noted, and there is no question that on occasion the GI’s themselves fooled around with various and sundry items. FP

I had also wondered why I had not seen any recent postings by Houston yet did not like to ask why. I have dealt with Houston several times and anything I got from him I was very pleased with. His contribution to this forum and the hobby in general over the years is immeasurable. Speak as you find I say and that is all I have to comment.

IMO there is no smoke without a fire. That is another good reason why I am getting out of collecting daggers and collecting guns now.

I always harken back to the age old comment: "Buy the piece, not the story!" If the pictures weren't posted and the dagger was offered sans story, would it have sold?

If you don't believe that guns haven't been fooled around with like daggers have been,then you're in for a rude awakening.

The biggest problem for me is the swapping of parts and not disclosing it very dishonest and quite frankly sickening for someone of Coats status in the hobby not the first time he has been caught doing this. I know none of my money will be going his direction.

It is true, but it is much less guessing with the guns, than with the daggers IMO

Good luck, man i tell ya you will find the same group of "Lackies" inhabit gun dealing and collecting. more humped guns than you can imagine. you think silly pointy things are bad just wait till your not sure if thats locking block should be in he white,is that FrankJ attwood stamp sanded slightly? is that ac 45 legit with all matching or non mmatching?? has the import mark been removed?? what letter block(s) did the mags stop being numbered to the gun?? has the russian dip been removed?? lots more than meets the eye. oh ya got about 5 mins to decided the guy behind you just wants 1 WWII gun and he like the one for 600 bucks your looking at. is it a 2500$ gun or had an armours barrel added and re stamped. now ya got 4 mins. the guy is fubling with his wad of hundreds telling his buddy he going to get a nice holster for it also. no stress.
I walk into a small gun shop unknown to me is the gun many want but never find Norwegian 11.25 mm dated 1942 black painted grips every part is numbered on these well about. its 1000 bucks and changs thats a good deal. I'm at the hobby about 3 years at that time. what do ya do. The grail in front of me....run and shoot or or run and hide.Looking at all the pictures of german occupied norwegian 45's should have helped right??? NO!.... hands on, length of time and books I find I know less than I think i do eveyday!!!!! the good guys who love guns will tell you the same story as they do here. its a jungle out there buyer beware.
Bret Van Sant

YEAH, WHAT BRET SAID!!

I will say this.......we all know people swap and refurbish and/or restore....that is a given...having said this there are certain and specific dealers who will disclose this information if they are aware of it or if they have performed it and there are many who will not. All is done in the name of profit. There are many dealers who will offer items that have been given the thumbs down but will argue that "no one knows for certain" in some instances they are right and opinions are like...well you know...this hobby is not yet a "free for all" the consensus of opinion should still count for something and I personally consider it to be obtuse and an an insult to all by saying basically "whatever...go jump in a creek"...I think that it is more a matter of one getting caught that was held in high esteem and the response that was given...similiar to Congressman Weiner's initial response.. I know many decent dealers in this hobby over the past 30 years who had good reputations and who sold decent items who later were found to have "issues"..as items dried up and profit became the over riding factor.What has to be decided here is a moral and ethical question...at the end of the day do you care if someone refurbishes or restores without disclosure? To answer this question one must put themselves in the position of the buyer paying premium prices for an item and discovering beyond a doubt that the person selling it to them did so with the knowledge that the piece was enhanced to make it marketable and to enhance profit. It is far easier to say that it doesn't matter when you are not the one stuck holding a repainted or replated dagger with a replaced blade and fitting etc...is it okay to upgreade an identical Luftwaffe Dagger blade for one that is mint and without runner marks or moisture damage??..We restore furniture, artwork and automobiles without issue so why not daggers?? Interesting question. cheers, Ryan

we can all speculate on what has been parted out and what has not, we all know it can and will happen. But in this instance the facts are that the 'parting' ocured without disclosure by a MAX certified dealer. If we cant trust them what hope is there for the hobby?????

well that thread has taken a bit to read.I follow both forum and the big thing seems to be can we trust the dealers .I admit there seem to be some real high end stuff appering as of latley.But in truth can you change human nature.We are driving by greed .No one person will admit it but we see a wonderful ss had a steal of a deal from some dead gi estate first thing and i mean the first thing i better get that before some one else does.Not oh I will wait a day or I should call someone and say hey i found a dagger over here i dont want it you should buy it.Well dealers are the same .Do they alter yep will they admit it nope.I am not saying every one does cause well i dont know know but as stated on the other fourm if you got burnt and can prove it post your side allow the other to defend them self if they don't well that kinda says it.As in the case of mr. houston I have never dealt with him I have talked with him Seems like a very pleasent person.I do not feel he defend his side on line on either forum so If i am asked to pass judgement I say Guilty as charged he did have ample time to respond.Now on to his penelty I think it is said and done mr. houston please contiue to give us your knowledge and wisdom as such you know contiue to do business please sir no more of this.Gentleman nothing speaks loudier than money if you don't like a such dealer easy don't spend with them they will be gone in a very short time we all gotta eat .By the way I don't give a damn about spelling or grammer so don't bust my chops over it. my two cent

Mr. Houston was in Louisville this weekend, I bought something from him, not a dagger, and was very pleased with this purchase.

Good Collecting, signalman

Oh Really?
Well I know guys in the gun hobby and they tell me it's worse than ever. Many are getting out. They tell me places like where you like to shop (Big-Mid-west Gun auction house) are loaded with humped up guns. fake Luger carbines done up from 1900 model, pentographed Luger contracts from every country . Done up sniper rifles, Winchesters, Colt 45's...and yes even the cases. Himmler PPK, Von Papen Gold Lugers, Grey-Ghosts, Black-widows, Dual-tones, phosphate - you name it.
They have the rust blue down to 'state-of-the-art' ask Jim M.

A friend of mine who's been in the gun hobby for 50 years is getting out. He told me recently; "you know, 35-40 years ago I used to put a 'Carbine'(Luger) out on a table at a show and there would be a swarm of guys around my table. Now I put one out and nobody even stops to look."
My friend also told me about a newbie Luger collector he knows who got swindeled $600,000+ on humped up GL Lugers. he went to court, cost over $300,000 got A JUDGEMENT BUT WILL NEVER GET ANY CASH.

You think it's a 'good investment'?
Twenty years ago the Ackerman .45cal. U.S. Test Luger was touted as the 'Million dollar Luger'. At auction last year it didn't even bring $500,000.

Listen what Bret and others say about the current 'Gun Hobby'. We are no spring chickens, my first Gun show was in 1968 or was it 69? Back then you could see the reground and restamped parts and smell the 'cold blue' - dem were the Good Ole Days.-

-serge-

Yes, Guns are worse and if you want to know how bad 3rd Reich really is you would have to look at guns. Third Reich looks better and the gun guys started me when I fled from their games. Guns are worse but not for long.

This topic is about Houston Coates,not about how bad gun collecting is,isn't it?

Where is (sic) Houston been?

I find all of this a little hard to swallow - I have dealt with Houston for years, always a fair buy and good advice - I can't see him doing in the reputation he has made over the many years of collecting for a few fast bucks -

Well, he is a member here and was at the MAX and has had ample opportunity to set the record straight and provide a defence, but has failed to do so. Either it is true or not. Evidence was provided that it happened, so if it didn't he needs to say so.

FOR HOUSTON COATES

Is this true? What is your side of the story?

I have bought stuff from Houston for years and have been pleased with the stuff. Tanker...i love trolls (two post and both trying to get a arguement started.). If Houston want to get on fine, if not no big deal he knows i dont want a mud slinging thread on this forum. If you know or have deal with him over the years there are few if any complains about him (in fact this is the only one i know of).I have and will continue buying from him.

Not a troll! Was a member way back but just recently rejoined. LET Houston answer for himself, NOT you.
It does not bode well when Houston can ot or will defend his name. If you are satisfied with the way it was described, then you are in the same boat.
Do not judge poster by the number of post. Finding the truth is not mud slinging but preventing the truth to surface, well that is....

If you are an old member than you should know that every thread that has an unhappy buyer who accuses a dealer of something ends up in a mud slinging contest. The dealer gets on and gives his side the other person doesnt agree then more trolls get on and bash the dealer ( im not saying they are right or wrong). It ends up in a 20 page mud sling contest and nothing gets resolved.Besides you have already made up your mind (read your last post) If i am satified then im in the same boat? Your trolling. If you want try e mailing him or be a man and ask him in person at a show. I dought he asnwers on this thread because i told him NOT to.

Earl
Appreciate the response. I like the hobby , but when a person that has the credentials that Houston supposely has, it is unsettling that the issue has not been resloved. When it is not addressed or cleared up, it gives the appearance (whether true or not) that someone does not want the truth told. I am glad to see on other forums (new and old) that the issue is still is the spot light. You as a moderator has doen a disservice to collectors by instructing a person not to answer. That kind of action gives credence to coverine it up. I thought maybe the forum has changed since I first joined, but if it has not and you prefer that I not psot any more, then let me know. Ron

Ron... I dont care if you post, im happy your posting.In the 10 years i have been on here these type threads end up in missinformation,name calling, dealer bashing and members mad at other members because they dont agree with them.All i know is this is the only complain i have ever heard about Houston in the many years he has been selling stuff and all the stuff i have bought from him i love and i will keep buying from him.The bottom line here is you will either buy from him or not.If you think my asking him not to post is wrong, your welcome to your opinion, but i know all these type thread get solve nothing.

Tanker is probably our old member Ron Holt From Tennessee.

If you get back to collecting, Ron, then post some stuff. What you are doing now is stalking and trying to get a mud slinging match going.

Dave

Hohaus
You are correct. Earl and I came to an agreement. You do not need to stir the pot more! From the posting on that thread, the evidence is there, no mud slinging.

Im not sure what kind of agreement we came to. Agree to disagree but move on to collecting.

Earl
That was it. What you said in your previous post, so I wasn't going to resond to it and move on. I didn't think anymore needed to be said. Ron

are you kidding me noone comes on here anymore and one somebody ask to clear something up and you tell them not to answer that sends a good message.Dave if that guy wanted his name splattered on the web i think he would have said so that is real bad for you to post someone name with out there prior knowledge.

If you go to the third page you will see that houston gave his reply. So why is this thread still going.

If you are referring to this post by Houston
"Sorry, but I am not going to get into a water contest with any "big time" collectors who just love to bash dealers with their lies using stolen, unauthorized and altered photos and anything else they can conjure up with their room full of computers.They just love to have their names up in print. Believe me there are plenty of counter charges I could make against these babies but I just don't have time to provide the entertainment. I have helped many of you in the past also saving many of you thousands of dollars with my FREE collector's guide. Who else has provided such a thing? Please keep that in mind while reading this. Thanks, and thanks for all who have written supporting posts. That's all I have to say.
_________________________
That was not much of an explanation. I also agree that Hohaus should not have made the post regarding my name/address. I have nothing to hide, but it had no bearing on the post.

Lol. I dont know what to tell you.I dont think he will reply. Heres a novel idea, dont buy from him if you dont want to.This way it leaves more for me and other to chose from.