Yet another newbie
 

Was in a small gun store today for some other business and saw a Luger. Told the owner I'd like to look at it as "I like weird stuff." Owner said it was on consignment as the owner had moved to California and couldn't take all his guns. It's a 1937 Mauser (S42), matching as far as I could see, including a mag. Clean, no pitting, didn't see down the barrel. Now I can't remember if it's straw but I think so. Little bit of wear around the muzzle, we'll call it a 90% gun. My question is the markings, they're paint filled, highlighted, I don't know what the term is. I've seen pictures with and without. I can't see how they'd survive 70 years. And yet if it was restored, why the wear at the muzzle? He wants $1400. Decisions, decisions.

Sounds a bit like laquer stick, a crayon-like filler that is easily applied to highlight markings. It will last indefinitely with no contact but comes right off by rubbing. But I supose it could be paint. Closer exam may be necessary. Solvent?
Happy hunting. Now go make your best deal and buy it. The needle is clearly in.
dju

Oh, the needle has been in for a long time.

So is the laquer stick treatment original or something added later? It seems almost too clean but hey, folks find 57 corvettes in old barns.

It is not original,many collectors use it to highlight the markings to make them easy to read. It will come right out and does not affect the value of the pistol. A matching mag pistol is very hard to come by. Good luck with it and welcome to the forum. c

Hi Robert,

Welcome to the ward..

If it has strawed small parts, it was made in early 1937. Mauser changed over to salt bluing in about April 1937, including bluing the small parts.

Robert,
'GESICHERT' stamped under the thumb safety is filled with paint/enamel, and is factory original.

Thanks all for the information. I'm headed back to pick up the other work and I'll check the barrel. If it's good, sounds like I might be moving some money around this weekend.

Lacquer can be resolved by a little bit AceTone, and won't hurt the gun blue. Don't use needle, that inevitably leaves tiny scratches on or around the stamps.

IF it turns out to be a pistol you want to aquire after careful inspection..I would offer somewhat less than the asking price. I would also inspect it very carefully, inside and out as well as the magazine base. One little flaw could kick it into a shooter catagory and cut the price in half. Do your homework or pay the tuition to Luger U!

Jerry Burney