Navy Mag, restore or leave as is.
 

Hugh sold me a 1906 Navy Luger with navy mag explaining that the mag base had a chip in it. Should I have try to have it restored, if able, or just leave it as it is being a original navy mag? Thanks

Photos please.

Bill,
that is like asking "I've got a girlfriend with a little mole, should I try to find a prettier one?"

Like Norm said- Pictures!

Of course not! But a little surgery would fix her right up! :thumbup:

Don's choice is obvious. And I concur. :)

Mag repair
 

Seeing I got this from Hugh, I'd like to make to and make it correct, but leaving it as is would be just a fine. The 2nd Don Voight build for me as a shooter. The original I have no plans to fire it. The original I was thinking of asking Thor to restore it, But that might not also be a good Idea. Guess it's only original once.

Send it to GT. Bill

Since it's not a crack but just chips, I would leave it as is. It's like virginity, you can only lose it once.
Norm

P.S.
Hi Bill,
Please send me the serial numbers of the gun and magazine for the Navy List.
Thanks, Norm

5396 A Well, it looks like an A

You can find examples for comparison at -

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=34813

Bill, I will let our in residence magazine expert, GT tell you for certain but I don't think this kind of chip can actually BE restored. GT has done a fair amount of work I know about and salvaging this is certainly beyond anyone's capability? But he's a miracle man..nothing would surprise me.

Would it be practical to make a mold of a good knob (maybe the other side?) and use it to press some of GT's miracle filler into the chip??? :confused:

GT repaired a Navy for me with a chip. Excellent job. Hard to even see. Bill

GT repaired a Navy for me with a chip. Excellent job. Hard to even see. Bill FANTASTIC! Good to hear it can be done.

Thank you for the link. It is indeed an A

Hi Bill,
Thanks for your gun's serial number, does the magazine's number match?
Norm

Bill,
you are correct- only original once- and that one is not bad; I'd leave it as is. JMHO.:thumbup:

"Restoration" seems to have taken on a new life and enthusiasm in a lot of circles recently.
Kinda creepy.
I know all the rants regarding cars, and some other things, but I think artifact type things need to be left as found.
Repair the faces and lost limbs on The Sphinx, or statues?
It's only original once.
Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Norme, I see no numbers on the magazine, but there is a Navy proof stamped into the bottom of the wood. I see no other marking except a very small slight "VA' scribed onto the rear of the magazine. Wonder what the "VA" stood for. Someone's initials?

Many repair the million dollar chip on grips. Why not also repair a chip on a collectible mag? We have our holsters repaired. I also would not restore any metal but a small chip in wood yes. Bill

Hi Bill,
I think every collector, sooner or later, grapples with these same questions. What is an acceptable repair and what is not? My standard is to do what might be called a field repair, to restore function but not enhance appearance. So I would certainly have a torn belt loop or closure strap on a holster replaced, but would draw the line at a chipped grip or magazine base. In the case of the O.P.'s magazine, I would have recommended that he have a cracked base glued but to leave the chipped ears alone.
I guess you could sum up my philosophy as: Repair, yes. Restore, no.
Regards, Norm

chip repair....
 

Hi to all, it is a very tough repair, but when done correctly, hardly noticeable? The big trick is to not ruin what already exists?... :)… It is not an issue to me either way... All the previous posts are correct in their own light, Best to all, til….lat'r…..GT......:cheers:

Now we know! Thanks GT!

Norm,
Your "philosophy" is summed up nicely, and I could not agree more!

I have a real "problem" when refinishing/restoration slides into re-cutting or re-applying markings and welding and removal of pits, etc. I just don't see how such a restoration can be considered in any way original; and consider it closer to "fake" than original.

I know many do this, and like it, and pay large sums to have it done- but for me such changes do not "add" anything and "subtract" originality. But that is the free choice others can make if they wish.

Some may have seen the thread on the Dreyse I had "restored", it is nice, but I really am not happy with it - and now wish I had just left it alone.:(


Repair yes, "enhance = restore", no. JMHO. :cheers:

I agree completely, any "restoration" would kill the value of a collectible.

My Hero!!!!!!!!!!!

But many rare examples would be lost if we all had that attitude... :banghead:

I still believe a Danzig Luger will show up... :thumbup:

I hope YOU find it!!

Rich,
they would not be "lost", just ugly.:p

Some "repaired" or "re-conditioned" or "re-arsenaled"(I really dislike that term) are collectable-
like police or vopo or Swiss lugers or US 1911 type pistols, and probably some others that were routinely "serviced/upgraded" while in use.

In fact we all snobbed the "arsenal reworks" for yonks, but now any decent reasenalized 1911 is pretty sought after.