to rework, or not?
 

I bought my first Luger a couple weeks ago, a model 1900

Commercial in cal. 30 Luger, 4 3/4 inch pencil barrel, all

matching serial numbers in the mid-33xxx range. The magazine

seems proper with a wood base.


Here is my quandry: its condition is...indeterminable. It

has seen much use, it has been completely re-blued (including

parts normally strawed) and is 85%-90% on the reblue, worn

on the corners where you would expect in use, perhaps with

a holster. There is almost no pitting, although you can find

a bit if you look. The barrel is very worn, although it still

has rifling. The checkered grips are extremely hand-worn.

Proof that it is a re-blue rests in the fact that at some

time the lanyard ring has been cut off, and the bluing

covers the cut surface.


I was originally looking for a shooter, not a matching number

gun, and certainly not an early model--this came to me as a

buy-it-now or regret-it-forever circumstance (yes, I probably

paid too much for it).


So, considering its condition, do I reduce the value of this

gun if I restore its surface?


Not that I am necessarily going to, even if it proves not

to reduce its value--it is a very 'honest' piece, one which

has obviously been thoroughly owned by someone (or several)

who has appreciated its usefullness; it may have some value,

at least to me, on that basis.


And I am still looking for a shooter, after a century I'm

not sure how wise it is to shoot a collector gun with a

flat recoil spring (breakage possibility). If this really

is a collector gun, under the circumstances.


So, what does anybody think?


--Dwight Gruber

Re: to rework, or not?
 

As the pistol has had a bad refinish at some time in it's past, go ahead and get a proper rust blue finish with the straw color put back on the small parts if you think the added expense of the restoration is justified. A proper restoration will make a world of difference in the appearance of your pistol.

By the way, is the serial number (33XXX) correct, or is your Luger a Model 1906? The highest Model 1900 serial number I have record of is in the 21500 range.

Re: to rework, or not?
 

Definietly a 1900. Dished toggles, wide trigger guard...


--Dwight

Re: to rework, or not?
 

Dwight,


Congratulations on your new Luger.

Since it has ALREADY BEEN REBLUED once before, by all means, have it done properly if that suits you.


I recently bought a 1918 DWM which had all matching parts, but had been completely salt blued by someone, including the small parts. I sent it to Thor for a proper rust bluing and strawing, and it is now a real beauty. Looks like a new Luger.


No regrets, and I am sure that I haven't reduced the value by properly reblueing the gun.


Good luck,

Luke

Re: to rework, or not?
 

It is clear that the earlier reblue as well as the modified lanyard ring have reduced this pistol's value as a collector piece. An original rust blue finish and even new grips will make your pistol a work of art. Check out Ted Green's Strawing Service in our Links & Resources for examples of his work. Many of us here swear by him (some of us swear AT him - but that's another story!)


Dok

Re: to rework, or not?
 

Oops, silly me, serial number is mid-13xxx.


And, actually, its an American Eagle. I was doing some

maagnifying glass work, looking for proof marks (there

are none which I could fnd), and discovered the remains

of the Eagle stamp above the chamber. Looks like it

was mostly buffed away in preparation for the re-blue.


I suppose it doesn't change the value of the pistol much,

i.e., lowest possible.


--Dwight