Whats your opinion of my Luger?
 

Hello all. I'm interested in an evaluation of my Luger. I don't think that I'm going to sell it, but I'd still like and idea of its condition and value. I think its probably in shooter condition or very close, but I'd like to hear what the experts think. I included a Webley in some of the pics so that there could be a comparison between the Luger and a pistol with no real finish issues--to give an idea of what kind of pictures the camera was taking.

One thing that it does have going for it is that all the parts match, and I think its one of the so called "black widow" Lugers. However, the right pistol grip is partially stained or bleached a white color... making it less black widow-ish If anyone has a suggestion for getting it back to black I'd appreciate it. Its been washed, and I tried using an oil on it to see if it would absorb back in.

Assuming that the gun is a shooter, should I refinish it? I'm actually pretty good at rust bluing, and rebluing it would be a fun project, I think. I was also thinking of Nitre bluing the parts that were straw and purple. I know that this pistol was made too late for that finish to be correct, but I also don't know if it would matter since it would be refinished anyway, and if the gun might be considered more appealing with a more attractive finish.

By the way, this is the condition I inherited it in... so the way it looks isnt my fault. :)

Any info appreciated. Thanks very much.

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I would personally leave the finish alone. It is not horribly weathered and shows much character.

By the way, your pistol has one wood grip, (left) and one bakelite grip, (right). My first choice would be to swap out the bakelite grip for a wooden grip and then stain both to match. If you want to try to bring back the bakelite grip, there is a product called Engine Bright by S/100, which is available in most large motorcycle shops. I have seen this product bring back severely weathered plastics, rubber and black painted surfaces to an amazing degree. (Dealers use it at gun shows to make those old, tired, police trade-in Glocks look almost new).

I think that this is a no-brainer to leave alone, except some minor grip stuff. It's a war-horse and looks like one. If you want shiney then buy one that has already been molested. Clean it, oil it, and match up those grips. IMHO.
dju

Neither grip fits very well. You might want to buy a new set of grips and solve both problems at the sme time. Old Blue

Shooter condition $450-550

If this Luger functions well, and you want it as a shooter, and are not pleased with it's appearance, I, personally, would refinish it to a like new look. If you don't plan to keep it, and are putting it up for sale, then I would only match out the grips, and sell as is. It is not a high dollar collector Luger that can definately be improved. I admit that I am not a collector, just a shooter that loves Lugers.

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll definitely check out that engine bright stuff.

The grips actually do match, they are both black plastic or bakelite. One fits alright, I dont think I have the other on right. Didnt want to push it too hard an possibly crack it. Maybe it changed shape or something, I think it used to fit fine.

Unfortunately, the finish condition has nothing to do with WW2 or anything romantic. It was neglected by my uncle. He took it out shooting sea side and never cleaned it right. It was in good condition when he got it, he bought it in the early 60s. So there would be no real history loss with refinishing.

I've got kind of a catch 22 going on. I dont want to sell a gun I inherited, but I'm really not that interested in shooting it. It seems like it just wants to be a pain in the a** about anything you want to do with it maintenance wise. I mainly envision either deciding to sell it eventually or it being a wall hanger and possibly shot every once in a while.

If I did decide to shoot it, would I still want to replace some of the parts, or would it matter if one were to break an the pistol was no longer matched?

Not that I'm doubting your evaluation, but do Lugers sell for 500 or less anymore? I've looked around the cheapest I've saw a 9mm go for was 650 on gun broker, but I think it had a crack of some sort. Are poor condition ones just parted out? Refinished and sold for more?

Hi Lucifer,

Gosh, I hope I never have to say that again, except on the forum.

I've been going to alot of military and antique gun shows in Georgia, NC, and Alabama.

From what I can tell, shooters are often priced at $700.00 (or higher) but actually sell for $500.00 or less. If you look at some of the RIA auctions, I think I've seen quite a few 'auction estimated' at $6-800.00 but 'hammer down' at about $500.00 and less.

On gunbroker, many of those guns have been on those sites for quite a while.

It is sometimes not easy to put a value on a Luger due to subjective elements like straw, blue, etc; but, for a mis-matched, heavily worn, pitted pistol, since it holds little interest for a collector, its value is in the eye of the beholder and their intention with it.

Having said all that, if you have it reasonably priced, then of course it will be more likely to sell more quickly.

I am sure you know all of this. :)

A couple of things to consider, is that if you refurbish the Luger, even though it may still hold little interest to a serious collector, you can enjoy it as a shooter. Also, since you have it, unless there is a really compelling reason to sell it, I'd just keep it. You never know how it may come in handy later.

Warren Buffet was once asked when is that the best time to sell. His answer, "...never."


Richard

It depends on your location. In my area, enthusiasts do not discriminate between 'shooter' and 'collectible' condition...That Luger would bring $800 - $900 here...

I like that weathered look. I wish I could find a product to 'weather' raw steel, so all my 'new additions' would match the original finish... :rolleyes:

Muriatic acid will weather steel nicely if you control the exposure over time

Richard has given an intelligent synopsis I can't much improve on. Lugers are a funny thing..they have a mystique people will pay good money for. Even in poor condition. My opinion is colored by what I think it's worth and that may not be very accurate in another locale..It depends on your location. In my area, enthusiasts do not discriminate between 'shooter' and 'collectible' condition...That Luger would bring $800 - $900 here...

So don't let any opinion here be the end all..they are just opinions.The last Luger I bought several months ago I paid $350 for and it needed grips etc..about a hundred in parts. It's in about the same condition as yours but the bore is poor. It is a heck of a shooter though! Really spits them out with no problems.

A guy walked into my Friends gun shop with it and my gun dealer friend didn't want to monkey with a pistol in poor condition missing parts. I offered him $300 and we decided on $350..I should have stuck to $300..