My new to me 1938 Luger.
 

I recently picked this up via an auction, unfortunately it will sit until I get to go home. ( in the sandbox) But I am wondering if the Luger brains here can tell me if I did well or if I got taken

Without knowing what was paid its impossible to know 'how you did' WWII Luger.
If you paid $600, congratulations, you did really well.
If you paid $6,000 condolences, you got taken.

Gotta say I like the gun myself and I would blue it and have fun doing it.
I only say that because it looks as if the gun has been half 'prepped' already in this light.
#'s seem to match so if its just the light playing tricks then I would leave it alone.

BTW ... I'm not a Luger brain lol They will be along shortly. :thumbup:

I paid $1600.........$100 more then I wanted to, but someone came in with a blitz attack, up my bid and disappeared. Couldn't let ANOTHER Luger get taken from me in the last hour of the auction.

Well I think you did good M8.
I think the gun has a lot of potential and I would have bought it for that price.
Does that $1,600 include the auction fees ??

Sounds like the auction had a 'spotter'. :(

This should cheer you up a bit.
https://www.rockislandauction.com/de...938-date-luger

yepper. had to pay for shipping, but that was $20.

As for bluing. I have a 1911 that was built in 1913 and would never even consider re-bluing it. Why does it seem that it's ok to re-blue a luger?

I would not reblue it! It looks very good as is. Reblueing would make the pistol look great, but would hurt future sale. If it shoots, OK, if there is any problem just ask here and someone will help. I think you did OK as for the price.

Unfortunately I will not get to disassemble it, clean it and shoot it for a few more months. Covid is keeping us trapped over here at Bagram. Thank you for your advice.

10% original finish is better than 100% refinish.

It's not OK to re-blue a good Luger and I didn't say that it was.

What I said was
"I only say that because it looks as if the gun has been half 'prepped' already in this light.
#'s seem to match so if its just the light playing tricks then I would leave it alone."

With the exception of the 1st picture above all the other pictures look like they have been prepped for a nickel job or a re-blue.

https://i.imgur.com/YO599xv.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2eN9dRc.jpg

Not you specifically Spangy.
I have been going thru lots of threads and I keep reading about re-blued lugers.
I was wondering why it seems to be done on a regular basis

Spangy,

The wear you seem to notice is caused by the normal breaking open action of the Luger's toggle system. As the barrel group recoils rearward, the toggle breaks open by engaging the "ears" of the upper rear frame.

I agree with gunbug's comment above regarding refinishing any Luger.

I would be more interested in the pistol's bore condition myself.

The price paid seems ok for an all matched Luger, but certainly not on the low side.

Respectfully,


Sieger

I agree for the most part Sieger but the safety lever is not part of the recoil ramp and its not common to see ramps in 'mirror finish' - worn yes ... but not completely and evenly 'shined' like this. Gonna have to agree to disagree on that one. And unless its the light ... which it could be ... then someone has already started buffing out this unit IMO

Spangy,

We will have to disagree then, as all frequently shot Lugers display this "polished" wear.

I agree that the lighting and focus of that photo leaves much to be desired.

Respectfully,


Sieger

WWII Luger ... Re-blueing is normally done on severely damaged Lugers where chemical reactions, rust, deep pitting Etc. have occurred.

Our resident restoration expert Thor has come to the rescue of many a gun.
https://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/

And G.T. as well ...
http://forum.lugerforum.com/member.php?u=20

Both are able to help anyone with any Luger issue ... We are so lucky :thumbup:

Spangy,

Let's not forget Thor's fine work as well.

Sieger

Here are some additional photos. Does this help with the appraisal?

some additional info when I was bidding on the item.

Specifications and Features:
• Make: Mauser (S/42)
• Model: Luger P.08
• Action: Semi auto w/ safety
• Serial number / year: 3667 / 1938
• Finish: The finish is original and in very clean condition. We note some general thinning on over all. We do not see any rust or pitting of note. The use and handling wear is very light for a Pre-WWII model.
• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel Length: 4"
• Bore Condition: The bore is in great shape, clean and shiny with sharp rifling.
• Stock/grips: The grips are in great shape with typical service use wear. They do appear to be older issue but do not appear original to this pistol and are not serial numbered to it.
• Magazine capacity: 8 rounds
• Notes: The firearm as pictured is the one for sale in this listing and the one you will receive. A very clean example of a pre-war Luger. We see the correct mid/2nd variation proof on the slide. We would have to think with was a bring back. Every numbered part on the pistol matches with the exception of the mag and grips. There are no import markings. One of the nicest Lugers we have seen recently. Thanks for looking and enjoy the auction.

This one most definitely does not need a reblue and advising fellow forum members to reblue guns like this is not doing anyone a favor.

An original gun is an original gun only once.
If you like 'pretty' guns that is your free choice, but advising people to throw serious money at a gun with the result of seriously lowering the value is irresponsible in my opinion.

The wear on the feed ramps is perfectly normal.

The photos are way too light and that also distorts the look of the blue om parts like the safety lever. It will look a lot darker and black/blue when seeing it in person.

WWII,
That is a really nice luger and I hope you get home for Christmas.

In the mean time, stay safe and don't forget to 'move fast and stay low'.

Richard

My thoughts exactly.