Riddle me this batman...
 

Why do professionally restored Lugers (WWI era say) loose value and desirability as collectibles while a professionally restored 1927 Cadillac Phaeton gains exponentially in value and collectibility?

:confused:

Two different collecting interests, two different sets of rules. Each hobby has its own guidelines...one size does not fit all. :)

Car collectors do tend to pay a premium and value an all-original car over a restoration, but the original car must really be pristine.

And let's face it. There are far more really excellent, original pistols out there than there are truly original 50 plus year old classic cars. It is much easier to put away a pistol and not touch it for years than it is your transportation.

You can "make" a restored 1927 Cadillac Phaeton today if you have the parts and expertise.

You can never again "make" an excellent (100%) condition Luger in original finish, all matching, from the original manufacturer.

By definition, there can only be a limited number of the originals forever more. That limited number is probably in the hundred(s) of thousands, with a few thousand in top condition.

I doubt you could find many 1927 Cadillac Phaetons in original top condition. Those cars would probably be worth a lot more than restored ones if they existed...

So, it's desirability, and the limited number of existing originals that determines the market price.

Your value may vary... I have had a Simson Luger restored back from the improperly refinished condition I bought it in. It made me happy to see it back in it's original Rust Blue and Straw...

More examples - Depends on what you collect too; a luger has serial numbers on all small parts
while a garand, M1 Carbine, etc have much more options, if mismatched by manufacturer parts, you can find the correct manufacturer and make it 'right' - to reparkerize is okay to many people, to them restoring a piece. But if you restore most revolvers and pistols, its a not good thing.

Take a 1911 Colt, original condition, price is pretty darn high, value goes up for a restored version, but nothing like an original condition 1911.

mrerick,

that is a very fine looking restored Simpson (lower picture).
It certainly must be more desirable than in the previous condition (upper condition).

Of course, your point is that the lower desirable restoration is topped if an all original could be had in a similar condition.

OK guys, I am getting it now. The larger number of all original, un-restored, fine to low-fine lugers compared to orginal, un-restored fine to low-fine Cadillac Phaetons is the crux of the issue.

And I think we are back to supply and demand. OK...I'm good with that.