refinishing a Luger
 

I'm sure this has been covered many times but how far gone does the original finish have to be on a pistol before refinishing it may actually help the value? I know it varies from gun to gun, but how about an average #'s matching military DWM or Mauser or commercial say an alphabet or even a 1906?
Thanks

The catch is more of not increasing value, but would you ever get your money back. A good refinish is at least $200-$300 and a 'restore' is probably $1000

I personally don't like to refinish a gun, however, I did it to a G date that had been nickel plated and the nickel was coming off and I did it for my own S&W that I let get wet and got rust pin pricks on it.
It came down to that I wanted it nice and had S&W do it for me, so its a personal choice. You can't stand how it looks, then sell it or fix it IMHO...

I agree 100% with Ed.....if you are unhappy every time you look at your Luger, then sell it or fix it and be HAPPY!! :thumbsup:

I fortunately don't have a Luger that needs refinishing, I was just wondering because I saw a 1900 AE at a gun show last week that had next to no finish left and was wondering if a guy refinished something that bad would it actually add to its value.

If anything it would reduce the value. Bill

Unfortunately or maybe more FORTUNATELY, some of us own Lugers that are beginning for restoration..