Right before the next presidential election.

I tend to go to droul over the Lugers I see for sale at 'Simpsons' type websites. The cost of some would bring a nicer Corvette driver. These sites are depressing for a long time admirer of lugers like myself, as the prices are beyond my reach. My dream would be an original Navy/ test Eagle, but spending 7 or 8+ grand for a Navy might spell DIVORCE!! I'd take the long time collectors might smile over this, rightfully so, the invested wisely.
But back to restoreing Lugers, on one of these hi-end sites I found a 'restored' 1900 with the selling price of $2,500. Sure, alot less than a 95% original 1900, but far more than a shooter. I am not yet wise enough to know if this restored 1900 is done correctly. I well know you fine fellows can pick-up over-buffed and not proper blu jobs in an instant. Still, with the price of nice original AEs,Navys,1900s and the like going beyond ones means, maybe correctly restored Lugers of this type will gain more favor.
Thanks for all your replys. I learn much here.
Bill

Bill,

Some ``high end`` collectible Lugers are bringing scary figures price wise !! But like you did we can sometimes stumble on a good find....

A few years back I bought this 1900 AE as a shooter that had been incorrectly reblued and wasnt so great. But it had no pitting, buffing and was all matching. So it was a perfect candidate for a restoration. With the help of a fellow Gunsmith we came up with the following result....It was sold as a restored piece with a realistic price to a collector looking for such....

Marc

I would be proud to own that!
Thanks,Bill

Nice job, Marc. That's what I like to see. As long as it is thereafter represented as what it is, a high quality restoration, what more could anybody ask for?

I agree Marc's sentences have a point. But be honest, it's a little bit uncommon. If you treat it as a common case, set up goal on searching guns in less shape or restored with "no pitting, buffing and was all matching".....at best senario -- the process will take a while (not bad, searching is fun as well). Most of them come with pitting, with buffing, and probably mismatching. That's much more common.