Question about Russian Refurbs
 

On the Russian captured & refurbished Lugers, did they strip the old finish and apply a new one? Or just apply the new finish over the old?

Was there any evidence of buffing before refinishing???

I've read here about "dip"...The pics I've seen (am looking at) on GB look like blueing...(or blacking...whatever)...Were some or all of the Russian XXXX pistols refinished with some kind of epoxy paint [the "dip"?] rather than blueing???

The Russians just dunked them in a hot dip tank. It was applied over the original finish, and often appears to be a "stove black" painted finish. The dip can be removed down to the original finish. I know of a collector who cleans them with an Ultra-Sonic cleaner as used for jewelry, with good results. He does warn that the dip will adhere to bare metal and can gum up the cleaner.

I just got a nice "Russian" from Tom Heller. I was surprised at how sharp the markings are. I expected thick black paint like that seen on Indian Ishapore rifles.

I understand that it can be removed with 0000 steel wool and a good oil, by hand with mixed results. It has to be done slowly and gently, wiping it off with paper towels as you go, and being careful not to remove original underlying finish. Corners have to be done with 0000 wrapped around a Q-tip.

I've seen that and that was what I was wondering...I can live with a dipped-over-original-blue as long as they didn't buff it... ;)

On some pics it looks grayer and more satin-ey than the original finish does...