Thanks to all for the replies.
Vern; the high polish on the re-blue makes it hard to get good pictures of the fonts and see what's there. I think they are the same but the polish makes them look different. The 4 on the barrel has been polished down to where it looks like a 1, but if you get it in just the right light you can see its a 4. The top of the receiver is deeply pitted and the reflection around the pits distorts what you’re seeing. The polishing job wasn't quite even either.
Vlim; I was told the guy who did the “re-finish” owed the owner some money so he took a number of guns to him for similar treatment. His sons (or son-in-laws) didn’t know how many but said they all came back with a full treatment. I guess the debt was paid, but the owner paid it.
Jerry; I have seen Gale Morgan’s finished work, but not what he started with. I did have a Navy Luger restored by Bill Adair a few years ago and what came back from his shop was amazing compared to what went out. I was most impressed with how the gun was re-contoured to get it back to the correct outer form. I think he welded on the gun then re-cut it to get crisp new edges. The transformation was just exceptional. The Navy was in a similar state of buffing but didn't have the deep pits. I don't think the pits will be as big a problem as the general contour. I think this one can be saved. I expect it will cost a lot and take a long time (probably a year or two). I will keep you informed.
Ed; Keep looking through that stock, you might find something I would trade for but I can't think of what at this point.
Thanks,
Bob M.
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