Reblue v original
 

The following are some hints on what to look for in a reblue versus and original finish.

First look for the patina, or slight variation in the finish and underrusting you would associate with a pistol over 80 years old.
This photo compares a reblued 1915 and an original 1918. Also note the edge of the barrel flange

This is another view of the frames, Note the sharpness of edges on the 1918 and the finish wear. Also the sharpness on the takedown lever

The side of the recievers also show pronounced difference. Note the halo on the 1918 numbers and the faded appearance of the 1915

Heinz,

Very nice comparison.

I would only like to add the existence of 'period reblues', done as part of refurbishing and/or repair programmes.

Also for our viewers: Note the difference between the strawing. The faded, black freckled straw on the upper frame is what you'd expect to see on a gun that hasn't been messed with. 'Out of the box straw' on a 70+ year old pistol is most likely to be a restraw.

The rear frame kickups should show the circular tool marks on almost all Imperial military Lugers. They are less prominent in early years, pre 1915, and become more prominent up through 1918. This is the 1915 reblue

This is the 1918 original finish

Thanks Gerben, you are of course correct.

Also be aware of bad photographs. Dealers are completely capable of taking good photographs

Does the 1915 look better here?

well done Heinz, I have made this a sticky.


Ed

Thanks Ed!

Hi All, Very interesting and informative. I have a question, does a blued main spring Hook indicates that the gun is blued?
Thank you All
Alf:)

A.Mifsin, I'm sure there are people here that has handeled a lot more main spring followers than me.. but those I have seen have looked reblued, even if the Luger was not a reblue.

If you mean the recoil spring guide inside the spring, these are usually blue in color... as a result of heat treatment and tempering... if you mean the L-shaped lever that the mainspring guide attaches to, I think that these are usually white from the factory on guns before 1937 and blue after that, but that is just a guess.

The piece I am referring to is, The Coupling Link. Page 3 No 2.4.2 in Jan C. Still Book : Imperial Lugers : Thanks .
Alf

Have not seen the coupling link anything but in the white. It may be somewhat discolored but not blued. Bill

Bill, I agree, but I am not sure, What I can say is that all reblued Lugers I have seen all had the coupling link blued, Lugers seen that have original blueing the link is in the white, but is this norm? :

Alf.

Alf In the luger world nothing seems to be normal. I just looked at the only reblue I own. Coupling link is blued. So I guess I have seen one after all. This is a 1939 so I looked at a original blue 1938 and 1941 both are in the white. So would guess it's a pretty good indicator of a reblue. Bill

Thanks Bill, I agree, untill sombody say otherwise.:cheers:
Alf

Alf, the 1915 above has an in the white connector link, but the reblue was a rust blue. Mine non reblued 1918 and commercial have white links

Heinz, it seems that it depends on who done the bluing, if the gun is striped and reblued then the link will be in the white, but if the bluing is an immersion type like the hot salt process, than the link will be blued also. I think.
In mid 1937 the hot salt immersion bluing process was used, but was the link included in this process or assembled after bluing?:confused:
Alf.

Here is one from 1937 with the coupling link blued. I have suspected
that the toggle train has been re blued. Is there a cut and dry rule on this?
Did some original finish lugers have blued coupling links?