Re: pitting
Spencer,
A lot depends on whether you are a collector or a shooter. There are a lot of differnt types of Lugerheads on this forum rangimg from collectors of 'Minty" Lugers to people who just want one to take to the range. Some will buy one and then get rid of it for something more modern. Some genuinely like the stainless steel Lugers and others snub their noses at them.
It may be too early for you to tell just where you fit in with these different groups. If you are looking to become a collector then you should buy good Lugers. If all you want is to take one hunting or fishing or to a the range occasionally then a shooter Luger is just fine. The price you are willing or can pay dictates plays a role in just where you fit in.
I can't tell just how bad the Luger that you looked at is rusted. It sounds pretty rough. I can't tell if it can be corrected by a competent restorer like Thor. But a "shooter" Luger of any year will go for about $450-$550. Lugers for under $400 will be taken by gun people to part out. A 'Mint' Luger will probably go for over a thousand and maybe up to $1500. Restored Lugers will fit someplace in between, depending. My personal belief is that a professionally restored, well done Luger will eventually approach an original condition Luger. These guns are becoing more and more scarce for a number of reasons.
In my limited travels, I have come to believe that there seems to be some regionality in the pricing of Lugers. So I am sure that there will be someone who will debate me on my prices. And they will probably be correct too. You have to figure out just where you fit in with the above mentioned groups. Lugers are expensive. I have heard more that one person mention that if you want to become a Luger collector, you have got to have money.
Big Norm
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