Do you think my 41 has been re-blued?
 

Hey guys

I asked maybe 4 years ago about this specific luger and I've only now gotten around to taking natural shots of it. I'm concerned that my 41 byf may have had some alterations in the past; I bought it on gunbroker and discovered shortly after that the firing pin, loaded, and safety piece with the serial number has been re-blued as well as the seller carving 'BYF *serial number' into the grips. I got this back when I was a noob (and I still am, pretty much) and didn't know better. Barre. doesn't align with the frame, either but I'm in contact with G.T. and we're going to attempt to figure that out, and by "we" I mean him :P

Looking for expert advice on whether or not you think it's original or if the side plate is a remake. I see some number on the inside of the side plate but I'm unsure what it's supposed to be for this year and make. Also, does the serial number on the sidse plate look legit? I have a sneaking suspicion that it's not original due to the font. Thanks! Oh, and I jst agreed to a price with another user on my first imperial

I forgot to mention, someone definitely reblued the 'safety' writing.

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Your toggle axle retaining pin is blued. This is a good indication that this is a reblue. Also, is it the light, or is the raised safety tab blued, as well?

The rule on Mausers is there should be a number inside the side plate and it should be a number related to the first 2 digits of the serial number. It might be the same digits, or the first two digits plus 1.

It looks to me like you have a "5", which would be the first two digits plus 1.

The number "02" on the outside also looks correct to me. So overall I'd vote this is the original side plate to the pistol

Always hard to tell from photos, but I would estimate the pistol has been re-blued. The wear pattern, mottling and texture of the blued surfaces just don't look original.

All that said, I'm hardly an expert and will read with interest what others say. It is a very handsome pistol. Re: G.T., yeah I have "worked with" him to solve several issues on pistols - he fixes it, I agree with his fix, and behold "we" have it fixed.:cheers:

that is correct, that has been blued and so has the raised safety tab. It was my first luger so the dude who sold it to me, overpriced, wanted to trick someone into the whole "Black widow!" thing and decided to blue every part that shouldn't be >.>

Great! I was worried it was a replacement side plate due to the 5, but that makes me feel a little better haha. Here's a few more photos WITHOUT my greasy finger prints all over it. Maybe this will give a better insight into the blueing question.

A few more and I apologize for the photos turning out sideways; They show up on my computer just fine.

last one, I promise.

Inside the side plate, the trigger transfer lever is normally in the white. Yours is blue so that is usually a sign of a reblue.

It's really hard to judge finish from photos. I have the impression that the bluing on the barrel and possibly areas of the receiver don't have a consistent look (shiny in some areas, more buff in others). That might be lighting, but it could also be evidence of someone spot bluing an area with a cold bluing salt.

Smell the areas and see if the characteristic odor of cold bluing is present. The odd odor from cold blue is Selenium Dioxide.

I am told that the odor can be neutralized, but have never cold blued a gun and never had to try it,.

Marc

"I don't collect WWII era Lugers, but was under the impression that Mauser blued everything for guns made after 1937 (one of the reasons I don't find them as appealing)."

Mauser switched from Rust Bluing to Salt Bluing over a period of time in 1937.

Cold blue is something else altogether. Did you detect any unusual odor on your gun's finish?

Hi James,
The gun shown has definitely been re-blued. The L shaped connecting lever behind the side-plate (visible in post #2, photo #4) should be "in the white", as should the safety bar (post #2, photo #6). These parts are never blued in all Mauser Luger variations.
Regards, Norm

It's a very nice looking gun and a desired model, I'll jump in with the majority here that based on the little stuff it appears to have been reblued. Not hopelessly screwed up-reblued, but still reblued.
dju

Alright :( that makes me a little sad. Guess I'll just have to go on a hunt for a byf original! Also, I don't know why the photo quality has been downgraded. It's much crisper on my phone.

Thanks for the input, guys! As always, I appreciate it quite a bit :)

I wouldn't slash your wrists just yet. I mean that is a great looking gun, and 99% of the finish looks original (or at least very old) and only a couple of tiny parts are of concern. I never pay a premium for markings or the such, and that gun would not scare me off.
dju

It has definitely been fired a fair amount, according to the looks of the rear of the frame. I have no idea when it was fired, but perhaps this Luger could be a good shooter for you....just a thought.

I find the suggestion that someone went to the trouble of bluing "only a couple of tiny parts", one of which is internal, most improbable. It's more likely that the whole gun was dipped.
Norm

Yeah I'm not really sure what's going on with it; even the firing pin and Geladen writing is blued. I dunno, honestly. Very irritating. Again, live and learn haha

I think I've put about 80 rounds thru it myself. Not much more than that. These photos are right after I shot it (haven't cleaned it yet). Fires OK, shoots high and to the left at 15 yards, gets casings stuck in the toggle, and sometimes the hold open doesn't work.

I hope that's the case! Ya live and learn, I suppose :)

Sorry, but you can hope all you want- but it has been re-blued. It may have been done a long time, but that really makes no difference at all- the "when", I mean.

Of the "insignificant" small parts you mention, only the lettering of "Gesichert" is supposed to be blue.
White paint would have been added- so the base finish under what is normally white is blue.

Yeah that's the conclusion I think everyone's come too.

appreciate everyone's input!