To blue or not to blue?
 

I have a very nice example of a 1918 DWM I just got. About 90%, perhaps less on the strawing. I am not a very good judge of this. No pitting, gouges, or anything of that sort. All matching but the magazine. What would having it redone professionally(Thor or Lugerman), do for the value? Also, what would be the "proper" type magazine for this gun, wood bottom or the alum pictured?

http://www.k-a.net/IMG_2900.jpg

http://www.k-a.net/IMG_2902.jpg

I just got home from work, I have a couple of Beck's under my belt, I'll step up to the plate on this one. IMHO a refinish would ruin the collector value of this Luger. I would never refinish a pistol like this with 90% or so of it's original finish remaining. I would keep it in my collection as it is. I'm not a Luger collector so some one else will have to help you with the correct mag, although I'm pretty sure the bottom should be wood.

A wood bottomed mag would be appropriate for WW1, they can be sourced from LugerDoc, e-bay etc. Your aluminum one has it's own value.

Refinishing will certainly reduce it's value in many collectors eyes.

Thor does great work, (I have one myself), but many would suggest that a gun with little finish or some corrosion is where the results really shine.

My personal view is that any restoration is irreversible. They will never make another of your gun, (which looks great, by the way). The number of original 90% condition WW 1 lugers is absolutely finite !

Either way, I'm sure you'll get get great pleasure from the gun.

Best of luck, Stu

restoring or reblueing will lose its collector value completely. There is a solid niche for restored guns, but for a 90% gun, not worth it to me. One slightly pitted, or less than 70% blueing, then yes, have it restored.

A wood bottom one is a correct one for it. I'd look for a copy of Imperial Lugers by Jan Still, and then you can read up on 1918's, also browsing here will help you learn. :)

If you are looking for a pretty gun, then find one already restored as I think this one is too nice to reblue.

Ed

PS, you guys type too damn fast :cheers:

I suspected as much. Perhaps a mismatched shooter with little or no finish would be a better candidate. S/N's on magazines, are they fully serialized or do they only carry the last two digits like many of the other parts?

fully serialized on most military guns.

stefanosg, if you really want a better-than-new Luger, find a mismatch or other with little finish left and send it off for Thor to work his magic. Meanwhile, I'll be happy to take the one you have off your hands...

-- Dan

that is a nice gun---do not refinish!:nono:

Oh no, she's a keeper. :)

Don't Reblue that Luger....Please, it looks great and I wish it were mine.

Don't worry, she's safe and sound in my safe. In fact, took her out last night for a quick inspection. Wiped her down with a wee bit of oil and put her back. No reblue!