Restoration question
 

I know that 'boosting' and 'helping' an old firearms finish is dishonest. I also know that very talented firearms restorers can do miracles with cosmetically challenged pieces when the owner insists and pays for the work.

My question is: Does the restorer mark the piece with his name maybe under the grips to show that it has been restored and not factory original?

Just asking. I have no intention of doing anything dishonest.

Thanks

Charlie

Some do, some don't.

Anybody who insists on a full restoration usually wants a pristine gun.

Even the best cared for original guns will show handling marks, thinning, nicks or small scratches, slight wear and the reddish tint to the blue after 70+ years.

This is usually how expert restorations are detected.

Charlie -

I understand your comment : "I have no intention of doing anything dishonest."

However, I'm always conscious of the fact that these old Lugers are going to be around long after you and I are gone. And then then someone else who may be less honest than we are might indeed try to profit from a previous "restoration."

I guess it all comes down to a personal choice. Even though you are not asking for opinions, I can not help feeling that unless it is a matter of a mechanical malfunction, it is better to just leave it alone.

Mauser720 - Ron

Hey, thanks for all the answers/opinions. The reason I want to do a proper refinish is because the pistol has been hot dip blued (not buffed too badly though). It looks like a 72yr old gal wearing glitter makeup applied with a trowel - the finish is ugly enough to make me cringe when I look at it. OTOH I got it at a great price and its all matching numbers with excellent bore. Did I mention that it came wearing sloppy fitting plastic stag grips?

I can make it look period (reblued) correct; actually very nice when I put on well checkered walnut grips. That is the reason for my question. As nice as it will appear, I don't think that it will fool anybody who knows about Lugers. Not my intention to create a fake - thats why I was asking.

Thanks

Charlie

I have never seen a restored gun with restorer's name engraved on it.

Always get 2nd and 3rd opinions from others. You paid $$ for it, you're implicitly in a position to defend it, finding excuses for this or that questionable areas. Others won't.

I used to mark my work, but now only if the client wants it done. It was three small red dots in the magazine well in a triad formation. I had a gun returned to me to fix a marred place where the owner used a dremel to cut out my marks. I do offer a check of the Serial number to see if it has come through my shop. I have had several people contact me and ask about pistols that they thought I might have restored and I did find a couple that were. I am unaware of what other restorers might do about this.

That's the way Pastor Munkel used to do it. He didn't mark his guns but kept a record of serial numbers. Unfortunately, that record is no longer available.