Restoration value?
 

How much does a restored Luger by Ted change the value of it if it was unrestored. I know I may be vague but have the opportunity to purchase a restored luger. Would it be better to buy an unrestored one value wise. Is it shooter grade now and not collectors grade. For example is an all matching 1916 DWM fully restored by Ted worth more or less than an all matching with say 50% finish. Just wanting to get the best investment for my money. Thanks

I guess that somewhat depends on the collector. Seems that more people now want new looking versus history. To me a restored luger is in deed a shooter grade. Maybe some exceptions on very rare guns. To me a restored luger is worth less than a matched gun at 50%. A restored luger has lost all of it's history and is in the category of any new handgun. If you want one restored Ted is the one to do it. I am sure we will get a lot of varied comments. That's part of the fun. This is only one old time collectors biased opinion. Bill

IMHO, It all depends on what you are starting with. I wouldn't consider the cost of restoring a luger unless it was all matching with an exc bore and something unusual. I agree with the above, that restoring a matching, 50% finish 1916 military would not enhanse it value. TH

OK that is what I was thinking as well. Thanks.

Seems to me to be entirely subjective. I have two Lugers restored by Thor and I'm sure that when and if I part with them, I won't break even on the money I have invested. No problem, I had them restored to their former glory to own a pre-war DWM and Erfurt in pristine condition. Sometimes money ain't everything. MR

I prefer them 'natural' but if one is in horrible shape, missing finish, etc.

Then restoring to like new, hey, why not?

I agree 100% with Wlyon

I agree with Sergio's agreement with Bill. :thumbup:

In regard to restoration, we had an antique car show here in Hendersonville and large crowds l
ooking at the restored old cars. The cars were restored to prefection and require many times
their original cost. How are they diferent than a banged-up luger? I have three artillarys. Two have been restored and one is untouched. Can't tell the difference without looking at the serial numbers but that is unique. I have others that people never give a second look at. Somehow, it all comes down to money and it's the restored guns that seem to demand the most. Price makes the market and seems to be directing the dollars.

Just my two cents but I believe it all boils down to that old adage "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". To have your Luger restored or left as is depends solely on what gives you the most satisfaction and pride of ownership. One of my Lugers has been through two wars and looks like it didn't miss a major battle but when I hold it in my hand and look at it the thought of the action it must have gone through and where it's been is overpowering and I would not change a thing, on the other hand I also have others that have been restored and I also enjoy holding and looking at them and showing them to my close friends. Through this web site I have seen some of Thor's work and I will admit my heart skips a beat when I see what he has accomplished, I would be very proud to have one of his masterpieces in my collection.
My humble advise would be to give it some serious thought and base your decision on what would give you the most satisfaction.
Lon

Being old (71) and opinionated :) I feel I need to add my 2 cents to this topic. I'm no stranger to collecting. Muscle Cars (70 Chevelle SS's in particular) and M1 Garands are among my varying interests and I've owned "originals" and "restored" versions of each.

As I have aged I have "kicked myself" for not driving and enjoying my SS's (5 in total) even though I enjoyed the profit when I sold them, it's hard to compare looking at a banking statement versus driving a 450 HP Big Block Chevy car!! the cars win out every time but due to health issues I had to sell them.

So what does this have to do with Lugers? Well since I've had a life long desire to own a "Luger", I never had the time or knowledge to understand the variables of this fine firearm. But I decided whatever I buy, I will shoot and enjoy. If you look at my posting "how do you turn this into THIS" you will see a Luger with a very undesirable (to me) finish that I can now feel good about shooting.

I have nothing but respect for "hard core collectors" because I was one, so don't take me wrong. I just, personally, wish I would have used my collections for more enjoyment with it's intended purpose, rather then keeping them as "Garage or Safe Queens":)

Many collectors have dozens of guns of same type. When the volume is going up, naturally there is some preference. If have 2 or 3 instances, it really does not matter they are reblue or not, as long as acquiring price is OK. But it may sound weird hearing, "I have 65 Lugers (or other C&R) in collection, all of them are restored. That's my requirement, I only collect restored". I met a collector only collect recent import, but I have not seen collectors accumulating restored. World is big though, maybe there are some. Even for shooting, not so many instances are needed.

I have matched original Lugers; mismatched original Shooter grade Lugers; refinished Lugers and one all matching reasonably rare restored Luger.

Each represents a variation that I wanted in my collection, and was acquired at a price I could afford at the time.

I paid about 60% above my original investment into my restored Luger to do the restoration. While I doubt I will get that money back for some time, I'm not planning on selling it, and these things about the Luger's value are true:

- I restored a Luger that had been improperly refinished in the past
- The high quality restoration is as close as it will ever get again to it's factory state
- It makes me happy

I imagine that you should plan on paying the cost of a typical shooter plus Ted's current restoration fee for one of his restored pistols.

Marc