My first Luger... G date

[Caferacer]

G = secret code for the year 1935
because the treaty of Versailles restricted arms manufacturing in post WWI Germany
S/42 is more code and deceit, only the firm of Simson & co were permitted to produce military P08,
The "S/" in S/42 was an attempt to fool inspectors, while the "42" was code for Mauser

[Sergio Natali]

Originally Posted by mrerick

While my impression is also that it has been restored (which I consider a grade above refinished, since the work paid attention to keeping edges sharp and correct), the unusually deep color could relate to flash being used in the photography. It would make it easier to judge the finish if the photos were not taken with flash.

Take them in shaded, indirect sunlight outdoors. Use a tripod and use the closeup setting of your digital camera. Size them to about 1080 pixels across on the long axis, then post them as jpegs.

It's a very nicely done Luger. It would be interesting to see if it's in Ted's database as his work.

Marc

Restored/ refinished, I don't know but in my opinion "originality" isn't something that can be restored, and once it's lost or altered it is for ever and you can't brig it back.
Nobody can really fool who knows what to look for with any sort of restoration.
I'd rather look at or own a truly original pistol in bad conditions than one that's been expertly restored.
Nowadays honest and original Lugers are more and more hard to find, while I think that to own a nicely restored piece one only has to pay the requested price.
The best candidates for a professional restoration should be Lugers that have already been compromised or altered to some extent.
IMHO.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Caferacer

G = secret code for the year 1935
because the treaty of Versailles restricted arms manufacturing in post WWI Germany
S/42 is more code and deceit, only the firm of Simson & co were permitted to produce military P08,
The "S/" in S/42 was an attempt to fool inspectors, while the "42" was code for Mauser

There were no inspectors in Nazi Germany, in fact the IMKK left in the late 1920's; the treaty was repudiated and breached when Hitler re-militarized the Rhineland in the early '30s.

The "G" was not "secret", way too many people new about it to be secret.
Simson was nationalized in 1927 or '29.

But the G and S/42 were codes for sure.

[Eugen]

Matt, I don't know much about refinishing, restorations or collectability. But I do know what I like and I really like your new Luger. A primo BBQ gun for sure. I'd love to have it for such. Nice acquisition. I am sure you will enjoy it.