Luger finish
 

I’ve recently acquired a 1940 matching numbers Luger. It is in a nickel type polished finish. Did any Luger’s come with this finish?

Travis,

If you mean P.08s, the short answer: NO.

John

No, but apparently many were plated after the war by GI's who wanted more "bling".

I've been told that it was cheap in Germany immediately after the war to have a handgun nickel or chrome plated.

as said above - no

see the FAQ - lots of good information

Ed

You have acquired what I would call, a "shiny shooter"!! :bigbye:

Thank you everyone. Any idea what this gun is worth? I'm into it for a grand but the conversion kit was included. Also looking for the long handled tool as it is missing from my conversion kit. Other than that it looks to be complete.

Conversion kit?
dju

I'd say most of the value in your deal is represented by the conversion kit, missing rod notwithstanding, but I think you did OK. Your Luger has been knocked down to the basement in the realm of collectibility because of the over-buffing applied before plating.

His other post

You have a $1000 cleaning kit and a free luger, JMHO.
Enjoy them both.

The long rod was likely removed from the kit in service, when the small chain type cleaning kit came into use. Later boxes were of the "small" variety and had no provision for a cleaning rod.

The small empty spot is the provision for the 9mm ejector when removed from the receiver to install the sub-caliber kit- so you don't lose the extractor!:D

Reproduction extractors for the conversion kits are available again. I'd sold out--mostly to forum members--and had a new batch made.

I saw a few 1911s chrome and nickel-plated here in the Detroit area a few decades ago.

Tt was easy enough, when auto plants were common as Starbucks are now, to have a buddy drop the parts into the bumper-chroming line at the start, and have someone else fish them out at the other end.